Facts and myths about athlete’s foot

Contrary to appearances, regular bathing is an activity that can lead to a fungal infection, not cure it. It is in the shower in public places, such as swimming pools or locker rooms at the gym, that we most often contract the disease. Once this is done, the fungus cannot be simply “washed off” from the body. No matter how often we use the soap in the spaces between our toes, it will be much more effective to just keep our body clean and keep our feet dry. This is definitely better for them than excessive soaking.

Nothing is more conducive to the development of athlete’s foot than the wrong choice of socks and shoes. Tight, synthetic and airtight materials such as nylon should be avoided at all costs. Our allies in keeping feet dry are wool and cotton, as well as all naturally breathable and moisture-wicking materials.

Walking barefoot in the pool or in the locker room is just one of the many ways we can catch ringworm. This is because unwanted microbes thrive in warm and humid places. These also include your towel, socks or shoes where the fungus has entered. Make sure your garments and intimate hygiene items are always well dried and clean.

Tinea pedis, known as athletes feet, does not always have the same symptoms. Some complain of cracks in the skin between the toes, others of dry or red and burning skin at the base of the feet. Only in worse cases, the fungus also spreads to the nails. It is best to consult a dermatologist to identify the type of ailment.

Mycosis of the feet has little to do with how much we care about body hygiene. Even if we wash our feet twice a day, use different types of bath lotions and soap, we can still get infected. To get rid of the fungus that causes skin infections, you need special preparations and medications, and most importantly, avoiding moisture.

It is extremely important to treat athlete’s foot with antifungal medications and preparations for as long as required by the prescription and the doctor’s recommendation. Just because symptoms wear off does not mean the fungus spores have been removed from the skin.

Unfortunately, mycosis from the feet can also spread to other parts of the body. When we do not stop scratching and rub, for example, arms or private parts with the same hand, they can also become infected. The fungus also spreads from our feet to other parts of the body through the sheets and the towel we use.

Mycosis, even if it is not very bothersome at first, is not a thing that will go away on its own. Even if we take care of cleanliness, without proper treatment and the use of over-the-counter preparations available in pharmacies, the problem will only get worse. Fungi cannot be removed with the usual preparations used for daily body hygiene.

While it may seem like wearing socks and shoes all day and avoiding stepping barefoot in public can save you from ringworm, you couldn’t be more wrong. Microbes thrive best in dark, moist and warm places. If we sweat our feet or wet our shoes, even without taking them off often, we can develop mycosis. To avoid this, you should wear socks made of natural materials and airy and dry shoes.

Detecting ringworm is not as simple and obvious as it may seem. If the toenail begins to crumble, it is best to see a doctor who will do a mycological examination and diagnose the type of fungus present. It often turns out that what the patient takes for mycosis may be, for example, psoriasis or impetigo, which are treated with other preparations.

No matter what type of fungal infection we’re talking about, it doesn’t come out of nowhere. The human immune system is adapted to neutralize, for example, the fungal spores in the large intestine. Unfortunately, chronic diseases, viral infections, and inflammation may allow microbes to reproduce excessively by permanently lowering immunity. These, along with the blood, travel to different parts of our body, causing both internal diseases and various types of rashes. They can also contribute to arthritis.

Unfortunately, no matter how effective the drug is used, mycosis is not one of those diseases that you get only once in a lifetime. Especially after a successful treatment, you should always wear dry and airy footwear, and avoid stepping barefoot in the locker room at the gym, beauty salon or swimming pool.

It is true that some herbs can help you sweat less and therefore make our feet a place where athlete’s foot will not thrive. It is best to prepare a herbal bath for your feet 2 to 3 times a week. Sage leaves, walnut, oak bark, willow and hyssop are ideal for this purpose.

Yes, animals can also carry the same kinds of fungi that attack human skin. If we find symptoms characteristic of mycosis in our dog or cat, we should go to the vet with him, and the apartment should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, avoiding barefoot walking in it.

Mycosis of the feet has little to do with how much we care about body hygiene. Even if we wash our feet twice a day, use different types of bath lotions and soap, we can still get infected. To get rid of the fungus that causes skin infections, you need special preparations and medications, and most importantly, avoiding moisture.