Showing posts with label athlete's foot cure. Show all posts
Showing posts with label athlete's foot cure. Show all posts

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Precaution and Prevention for foot infections during monsoon

10:12:00 AM
Introduction:
Monsoon comes as a combined package containing relief from heat and beautiful surroundings but our skin doesn't echo the same sentiments. Because of the humidity and moisture, the skin behaves a bit strange and can leads to fungal as well as bacterial infection. This is because that there is high humidity in monsoon which provides favourable conditions for the growth of bacteria and fungi. The problem is embarrassing and ever existent!
But more care and concern needs to be given to our feet during the monsoons. Along with smelly feet we are also prone to feet infections and feet diseases that spread during the monsoons.
Diabetic patients have to take a special care about their feet.
Why specially the monsoons?
Monsoons are characterized by the humid, wet and sticky climate and this leads to a sweaty feat, wet mucky shoes, fungal infections, athlete's foot and many other feet diseases. In fact we are more prone to other typical monsoon disease like leptospirosis if we do not keep our feet clean.
The roads are full of water and mud which enter our foot wear. To make things worse, we wear the wet and dirty shoes in office for hours, and then return home with swollen, unclean and smelly feet.
Preventive tips:
  • Wash your feet with an antiseptic after coming back to home if you have been out in the rains. Scrubbing them ensures that all the dirt is washed away.
  • Just as you wash your feet, wash your sandals also with a disinfectant and keep them in the sun to dry.
  • Dry your feet as regularly as possible once out of the rain. Always check for any traces of water especially between your toes to prevent fungal infections.
  • Avoid wearing boots as these hold water for longer duration, sogging your feet and making room for bacteria and fungus to breed.
  • Wearing open shoes and sandals in rain if possible to air your feet.
  • Keeping the feet dry is very important so avoid applying moisturiser between your toes during the rainy season.
  • Wear cotton socks during the rainy season and change your shoes as well as socks everyday, especially if you have been out in the rains.
  • Cutting the nails of your feet regularly and cleaning the area between the nails and your toe prevents infections.
  • Avoid walking in dirty rain water and keep your shoes and socks dry and clean.
  • As far as possible walk around the house bare feet. It will help with blood circulation in the chilly weather especially since most of us sit in AC rooms throughout the day
  • Using an anti-fungal powder every morning and an anti-fungal cream every night during monsoons will help keeping your feet safe from the fungal attack.
There is no need to hate the rains. With a little precaution and simple measures you can save yourselves a lot of misery over fungal infection and enjoy the monsoon just as any other season, probably more!!
Author: Amit Kumar

Saturday, May 18, 2013

Foot Pain Relief At Last!

10:05:00 AM
"As an arthritis specialist, one area that I see people complain about more often than almost any other, is their feet." So says Dr. Nathan Wei, Clinical Director of The Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center of Maryland. "This is too bad because there are many treatments that can be helpful," Dr. Wei adds.
The foot is made up of 26 bones and 39 muscles...
The foot and ankle are designed to bear weight. The multiple joints in the feet are capable of adjusting to almost any terrain and the padding in the feet are designed to absorb shock.. The ankle joint allows the foot to move up and down, side to side, and inward and outward (inversion and eversion).
Not All Foot Pain Comes From The Foot!
Careful examination of the low back, hip, and knee should be performed because pain from these areas may affect the foot and ankle. In particular, pinched nerves in the low back can cause foot pain and weakness.
Ankle sprains are common- 25,000 people sprain an ankle every day!
The goal of treatment is to relieve pain and prevent instability.
Treatment of an acute sprain consists of rest, ice compression and elevation ("RICE"). Exercises to help stabilize and strengthen the ankle should be started.
Arthritis of the ankle may cause recurrent pain and swelling.
Pain from arthritis typically is made worse by weight-bearing particularly on uneven ground. What this means is you should try to avoid excessive walking or running on uneven ground. Anti-inflammatory medication and proper foot support can do wonders.
Pain in the ball of the foot has many causes...
  • Foot strain occurs when a person "overdoes it." And the treatment is pretty straightforward. Rest.
  • Morton's neuroma (a benign nerve tumor usually located between the 3rd and 4th toes)
  • Tarsal tunnel syndrome (pinched nerve in the ankle)
  • Arthritis.
Other common causes of foot pain include:
  • Stress fractures may occur after excessive walking.
  • Achilles tendonitis causes pain in the back of the heel. Treatment consists of anti-inflammatory medicines, rest, a heel lift, and gentle stretching.
  • Plantar fasciitis causes pain in the bottom of the heel. Treatment includes rest, anti-inflammatory medication, heel cup, orthotics, stretching, and local steroid injection.
  • Flat foot.
Muscle strengthening exercises and orthotics are helpful.
Two other common problems are:
  • Osteoarthritis, particularly common in the big toe. The big toe will point out to the side. When bursitis alongside the great toe joint develops, this condition is referred to as a bunion. Treatment involves proper padding and footwear. In extreme cases, surgery is required.
  • Neuropathy. This painful condition is particularly common in diabetics. This occurs when the small nerves in the feet are damaged. Symptoms include burning, tingling, and pain in the feet - worse at night.
Well fitted orthotics (arch supports) can alleviate not only foot and ankle pain but pain in the knees, hips, low back, and neck!!
We often take the ability to walk for granted. This ability involves the use of two engineering marvels- our feet and ankles. Because of the tremendous amount of force transmitted to the feet with walking, unique problems may develop. Attention to proper preventative care, i.e., comfortable shoes, sox, hygiene, support, along with proper prompt medical care can really put the brakes on foot pain.

Monday, April 29, 2013

Home Remedy for Athlete's Foot - Apple Cider Vinegar

6:21:00 AM
One of the oldest and most trusted home remedies is apple cider vinegar. This valuable product has been heavily relied upon throughout the ages to prevent and alleviate a number of ailments. It helps alkalize the body and is rich in potassium, which supports cell growth. Throughout history apple cider vinegar has been used to treat earaches, infections, arthritis, and as an aid in digestion. It has also been said to aid in the detoxification of bodily organs and eliminate warts. It is easily accessible, inexpensive and useful for a variety of disorders and conditions.
For all of these reasons, apple cider vinegar may be the best natural remedy for athlete's foot. It is the ability of this type of vinegar to destroy fungal infections that makes it an ideal natural remedy for athlete's foot fungus. Not only is it considerably less expensive than prescription drugs and even over the counter medications, pure apple cider vinegar relieves the itching that is caused by athlete's foot making it a gentle, all natural answer to this common and painful problem. And best of all, you may already have it in your cupboard.
Athlete's foot is a well-known, persistent ailment caused by fungal growth on the feet. This type of infection occurs when the highly contagious tinea pedis fungus contacts the skin. Often the most affected area of the foot is between the toes, where it is especially warm and moist; however, it may also spread to the rest of the foot. When athlete's foot fungus is given an opportunity to develop, it may first result in an itchy red rash, typically beginning between the fourth and fifth toe. If the infection is not remedied, the skin may become soft and extremely sensitive to the touch. In the most severe cases, the edges of the afflicted area will become white and the skin can peel away, creating a milky discharge.
To combat this unfortunate condition, people have turned time and again to apple cider vinegar. This type of vinegar is made from the liquid extracted from crushed apples. Sugar and yeast are added to encourage fermentation, which turns the sugars into alcohol. It is in the second fermentation process when acetic acid-forming bacteria transform the alcohol into vinegar.
This acidic product can be used to treat feet that have become raw, cracked, and damaged by the fungus that causes athlete's foot. Not only does it relieve the persistent itch that comes with the condition, it also has been reported to rid the body of the fungus that causes the condition. It may not have the most desirable odor, but the relief that is immediately felt as sore feet contact the vinegar will surely be worth it.
An apple cider vinegar foot soak is an effective way to fight athlete's foot fungus. Simply mix one part pure all natural apple cider vinegar with one part warm water and soak for 20 minutes. Feet should be cleaned with a gentle soap both before and after the treatment. It is necessary to make sure that the feet are thoroughly dried after the treatment to prevent the fungus from spreading in a moist environment. If necessary, it is permissible to use this method of treatment twice daily. Depending upon the severity of the condition, the feet should be rid of the fungus within one to two weeks of regular home treatments.
For less severe cases of athlete's foot fungus, use a washcloth or cotton ball soaked in apple cider vinegar. Gently rub the cloth over the affected areas. This treatment works especially well for children who may not be willing to sit for a foot soak as the combination of the vinegar and the rubbing of the washcloth allow instant relief from the itchiness caused by the fungus.
It is wise to take some common sense precautions to lessen your exposure to the fungus as preventing athlete's foot fungus is typically much easier than curing it, it. The most important step you can take is to keep the feet dry, especially between the toes. Ensure that the environment in your socks is inhospitable to fungal growth. Socks that are made of cotton, wool, or other natural materials allow feet to breathe and remain dry. If your feet commonly sweat, see that your socks remain clean and dry, even if this means changing socks during the day. Choose shoes that are well ventilated and give them a chance to dry out before wearing them again. It is also important to reduce the risk of exposure by wearing waterproof sandals or shoes in public showers, locker rooms, and any other warm damp place that may host tinea pedis. Taking proper care of your feet and treating them with all natural apple cider vinegar should ensure that the athlete's foot fungus clears up and does not return.
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