• Foot fungus: symptoms
• Fungi on the feet: types
• How are foot fungus spread?
• Foot fungus: treatments and natural remedies that help
• Foot fungus: how to avoid contagion and relieve symptoms

Fungal infection in the feet also called athlete’s foot or tinea podal occurs when dermatophyte fungi affect the skin or toenails causing mycosis.

We can all contract these fungi and the infection is contagious, so we must take special care to avoid getting the infection, recontaminating ourselves and infecting other people. In this article we tell you how to treat fungal infection or mycosis on the feet with the best natural remedies and tips for prevention.

FOOT FUNGUS: SYMPTOMS

The infection most often appears between the toes and on the sole of the foot. It manifests itself with:

• Redness
• High sensitivity
• Desquamation
• Itch
• Pain
• Stink

FUNGI ON THE FEET: TYPES

ATHLETE’S FOOT

When we talk about athlete’s foot it is not a sports injury, but a fungal infection (or mycosis) in the feet caused by dermatophyte fungi.

This fungal infection on the feet manifests itself in the area between the toes, being more viable on the sole of the foot. These fungi tend to appear and grow in areas with more heat and humidity.

Hence, the use of tight shoes or closed shoes used daily, together with perspiration or sweat of the feet, creates the environment conducive to the appearance and growth of athlete’s foot. These are the main symptoms of athlete’s foot:

• Itching. At first it is perceived as itching and stinging sensation or slight punctures.
• Redness. The area between the toes looks more red, sensitive, as if it had peeled, and hurts. Sometimes blisters can form. It is also characteristic of the bad smell not only of the affected area but of footwear, socks or stockings.
• The infection can progress to the soles, sides, backs, and toenails.
• Sometimes, fungal infection can be complicated by bacterial infections such as those caused by Streptococci or Staphylococci.

TOENAIL FUNGUS (PARONYCHIA)

When the skin surrounding the nails is damaged, inflamed and infected, we are talking about paronychia. It can appear on both fingernails and toenails.

Maybe you’ve ever had it on a finger: you’ve bitten a stepfather, or your hand has gone biting your nails and skins…. Either you have worn those beautiful and tight shoes without cutting your toenails well, or you have ingrown a nail and suddenly there you have found the problem: pain, swelling and fungal infection – and perhaps bacterial – even with pus.

The most characteristic symptoms of toenail fungus are similar to athlete’s foot:

• Redness and swelling around the nail.
• Stink.
• Intense sensitivity to contact.
• Sensation of palpitations or as slight punctures, in the affected area.

HOW ARE FOOT FUNGUS SPREAD?

These dermatophyte fungi grow most in moist and hot areas. There are: several routes of contagion:

Therefore, the contagion is through contaminated surfaces, footwear and clothing. It is not uncommon to have them when we wear closed shoes that do not perspire and sweat our feet.

• Through surfaces. Wet surfaces where other people walk are more likely to transmit this mycosis or athlete’s foot. For example, on the beach, in the pool, in the gym, in the spa, even at home if someone has them.
• By direct contact. This mycosis can also be transmitted by direct contact, both “skin to skin” and for example it can occur in some sports or games.
• By contact with contaminated footwear and clothing. It can be spread through contaminated socks, socks, towels, bath mats, or carpets.

FOOT FUNGUS: TREATMENTS AND NATURAL REMEDIES THAT HELP

To avoid fungus on the skin, hygiene is key, keeping the skin of the feet clean, dry and airy as much as possible. In addition, these natural remedies help fight fungus:

• Tea tree oil, or niaouli oil, can help us fight fungus.
• Talc (magnesium silicate powder) helps absorb moisture and can be applied to the skin as well as inside shoes and sneakers.
• Talcum powder with tea tree oils or rosemary oil, they will also leave us with a good smell.
• You can put rosemary or thyme inside your shoes and slippers.
• Baking soda sprinkled inside shoes and socks before use can also help eliminate fungus and odor.
• You can prepare a paste with baking soda and a little water and apply it on the affected areas of your feet, both between the toes and around the nails.
• Foot baths with diluted vinegar. Put a small glass of vinegar, about 100-150 ml, in 1 liter of water and put your feet inside for about 10 minutes. Then dry them very well and gently.
• Some people use a mixture of crushed garlic, olive oil and thyme for its antiseptic properties, which they apply as an ointment covering with gauze. Now then… The feet will not smell “like feet”, but they will smell like garlic… Something to consider. After a while you can wash your feet and always dry them very well and gently.

FOOT FUNGUS: HOW TO AVOID CONTAGION AND RELIEVE SYMPTOMS

The main recommendations would be:

• Avoid walking barefoot in suitable areas.
• Wash very well between your toes. Do not think that by stepping on the bath towel they are already very dry: dry one by one.
• Change your socks, stockings or leotards. Even if they look clean… If you wear socks to sleep: do not be the same as the ones you have worn during the day, or vice versa.
• Don’t use the same towel or mat as others.
• If you have fungus, don’t leave the wet bath mat on the floor.
• At the gym and pool, keep socks and towels you’ve used to dry your feet in a separate bag, and wash clothes at a high temperature if they admit it.
• Always avoid wearing the same shoes or sneakers. Maintain hygiene with your shoes. Beware of slippers to walk around the house. Take care of them and keep them clean and sanitized.
• Wash any slippers or flip-flops you wear to walk on the beach, pool, or spa.
• Choose the right footwear for your sports activity. Don’t let your feet “strain”.
• Choose preferably natural fabrics for footwear and socks. If you wear technical sportswear, check the washing mode.
• If you use templates, change them periodically.
• Don’t touch your feet and then other parts of your body. For example, the same fungi that contaminate your feet can contaminate the groin area, just by touching them. So, the hands, always well cleaned.
• Wear your toenails well cut, avoid side peaks and that they are too short.
• Extreme hygiene in pedicures. Don’t share utensils. Make sure utensils are disinfected if you go to a public place.

The post Foot fungus: types, symptoms, causes and natural remedies appeared first on FreeLifeHealth.