Health Prevention | Keep Away from Athlete's Foot

Many people get athlete's foot at some point in their lives, and men and older adults are more likely to get it. The clinical name of this common disease is "tinea pedis or athlete's foot", which is caused by fungi. Although untreated athlete's foot is not fatal, it may become an annoyance that affects our daily life.

Athlete's foot is especially common between the little toe and the toe next to it. The fungus causes the skin to become red and cracked, and the affected area is flaky and sometimes itchy; the skin also turns white and thick, and is often slightly swollen; small blisters may form, and the sores may leak fluid and smell bad smell.

Athlete's foot usually does not go away on its own, if not intervened or treated in time, it will first affect the toenails, making them thicken, discolor or chip, and then spread to other parts of the skin, such as hands, groin; when athlete's foot is severe, it can easily lead to bacterial Infections such as cellulitis (widespread, diffuse, purulent inflammation of the skin and subcutaneous tissue caused by Staphylococcus aureus, hemolytic streptococci, or saprophytic bacteria).

The fungus that causes athlete's foot is contagious and can enter the skin through small cracks or cuts and infect the top layer. The fungus can be spread by skin-to-skin contact or contact with dander. This can happen, for example, by stepping on contagious dander in a public shower.

Fungal skin infections need moisture and warmth to spread. Our feet provide a perfect environment for them.

We wear footwear most of the day, so our feet are usually warm and moist, and the skin on our feet also contains a lot of keratin, a protein found in the top layer of the skin that fungi feed on.

Of course, genetic predisposition, allergies and eczema, particularly sweaty feet, a weakened immune system, diabetes, shared items in public places, tight footwear, and non-breathable and antibacterial socks may all increase the risk of developing athlete's foot.

Since the fungus grows and multiplies in moist environments, it is important to keep feet dry as much as possible to intervene in the onset of athlete's foot:

→ Dry your feet thoroughly with a towel after bathing or swimming;

→ Choose socks that are breathable, sweat-wicking, comfortable, and naturally antibacterial;

→ Don't wear tight shoes, and don't wear the same pair of shoes for 2 days in a row.

Usually, pay more attention to hygienic habits: wear slippers in public showers, swimming pools or changing rooms; do not share towels, socks or shoes; wash household clothes separately, etc.

Beriberi is not an incurable disease, but recurrent and entangled, it is difficult to cure it once. If we have the conditions to prevent its invasion in the first place, don't hesitate to do it!