3 Tips For Diagnosing, Treating, And Avoiding Athlete's Foot
Athlete's foot is a fungal infection that generally begins around your toes or on the soles of your feet and can cause you a great deal of pain. If you fear that you may have athlete's foot, there are certain signs to look for. You will also need to treat athlete's foot in order to make it go away. Lastly, if you want to avoid getting athlete's foot altogether, there are things that you can do to help stop it. This article will discuss all 3 of these things.
Signs Of Athlete's Foot
If you think that you may have athlete's foot, there are certain signs that you can look for. If you notice that your feet are cracked and red, or if your toenails are discolored and pulling away from your toe. The soles of your feet and in between your toes may also feel extra sensitive due to the dryness, cracking, and potential blisters. If you notice one or more of these signs, it is important that you begin treating your athlete's foot right away to reduce the amount of pain that you will experience.
How To Treat Athlete's Foot
Treating athlete's foot can generally be done without visiting the doctor and getting a prescription. You will simply need to get an over-the-counter anti-fungal cream to put on your feet as directed. You may also soak your feet in either vinegar or warm water to help heal your blisters. While treating your athlete's foot, it is very important that you keep your feet dry and clean. You can do this by changing your socks regularly so that the sweat doesn't moisten your feet. This will help your feet to heal more quickly and allow you to get the most out of your treatment. If your over-the-counter anti-fungal treatment doesn't work for you, then you will need to visit your doctor.
How To Avoid Getting Athlete's Foot
Obviously, the best option is to avoid getting athlete's foot altogether if at all possible. Thankfully, there are certain things that you can do that will greatly help you to avoid it. Whenever you are in a public area, it is very important that you wear shoes to protect your feet. This stops germs from the ground from causing you athlete's foot. Also, avoiding wet and sweaty feet is another great way to avoid getting athlete's foot because you stop it from having a moist area for the bacteria to grow. Lastly, if you have a minor skin injury on your foot, be sure to keep it clean and free from infection so it doesn't turn into athlete's foot.
For more information, contact a professional such as Gary S. Hymes DPM.
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