Ellen Campbell -Grizzle
I REMEMBER a gentleman who had a hard time getting rid of his athlete's foot. The itching and blisters made him uncomfortable. In the end, he got relief from a combination of ointment and tablets and learnt the value of washing and drying his feet properly.
If you keep your feet dry, this fungus will have a hard time living on you. Warm, damp and humid places encourage fungus growth. Areas usually frequented by athletes such as swimming pools, showers and lockers, are great breeding ground for this fungus, hence the name, athlete's foot.
However, this common, contagious organism is not limited to athletes and can occur between the toes of any adult or adolescent. The fungus usually attacks the feet because shoes create a warm, dark and humid environment in which it thrives.
Typical symptoms include:
* Dry skin
* Itching
* Scaling or dead skin
* Inflammation
* Blisters.
Infected persons can spread the fungus to other parts of their body, notably the groin or underarm, by scratching and then touching unaffected areas. The infection can be transmitted by contaminated bed sheets or clothing. It is common to catch athlete's foot from other people by walking on floors that are moist or wet. People who have impaired immunity due to illness or medication are very vulnerable to infection.
Here are some useful tips to prevent athlete's foot:
Avoid walking barefoot: wear sandals in locker rooms or when walking on moist floors.
Don't share shoes or personal care items, such as towels.
Wear cotton or woollen socks and change them often.
Wash your feet and dry them well.
Choose footwear that allows for air circulation.
Keep floors in shared facilities clean and dry.
You can do much to prevent infection by practising good foot hygiene. Wash your feet with soap and water daily, dry them carefully, especially between the toes, and change shoes regularly to decrease moisture. A good quality foot powder may be helpful as well.
TREATMENT
The initial treatment for a simple case of athlete's foot is usually available from your pharmacist. There are a number of sprays, powders, ointments and creams available. Be diligent about the application of your treatment. The problem is usually curable in three weeks, but recurrence is common and secondary bacterial infection is possible. If you are experiencing the symptoms mentioned earlier, then you are past the point of prevention. If you can't win the battle by using non-prescription products, you need to see your doctor. Your physician can prescribe oral antifungal medication for you to control the problem.
Are there any other issues that you should be concerned about? Well, athlete's foot is extremely common, and in almost all cases, there is no underlying problem leading to your contracting the infection. However, fungal infections can be early warning signs of more serious problems due to a weakened immune system. This is particularly true for persons who are at risk for diabetes mellitus or contracting HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. You should see your doctor to check for any possible underlying causes of your fungal infection.
Ellen Campbell-Grizzle, president, Caribbean Association of Pharmacists; director, information and research, National Council on Drug Abuse; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.
