Athlete’s Foot can affect anyone, because most people have to wear
shoes for a long time. It makes people more vulnerable to contracting
the fungus,which has been found to thrive only in moist environment.
FOR Tola, coming back from work everyday and rushing to remove his
shoes and socks, going into an orgy of scratching between his
perpetually itching toes has assumed a routine. With having to work long
hours, for instance, getting the feet enclosed in shoes is only normal
as walking barefoot could be perceived as unusual.
People who suffer from the worrying effect of athlete’s foot need not
share their ordeal of the infection with anybody as anyone around such a
person could easily come to a conclusion of its disturbing effect.
With having to perpetually scratch the feet, and engulfed in its
soothing pain, despite irritating and painful, experts warn is usually
as a result of wearing tight-fitting and non-porous shoes that compress
the toes, thus, creating a warm and moist environment between the toe
webs, which is what the fungus survives on.
Athlete’s foot is medically known as ringworm of the foot. Despite
its name, it can affect anyone and is not restricted to those who are
involved in sports or participate in physical exercise. It has been
found to affect many people around the globe and mostly spread through
contaminated socks and shoes.
Its major symptoms include dry skin, itching, burning and redness of
the feet is often apparent in the skin between the toes, which is where
the infection usually starts. Blistering, peeling, cracking, and
bleeding sometimes occur.
The fungus, which has been discovered as surviving only in warm
situations, experts revealed may likely affect more than 70 per cent of
the world’s population at one time or the other in their lives.
Owing to its highly contagious nature, “kanyun” as it is popularly
called by the Yoruba’s experts suggested was best prevented. A simple
extra care for the feet is vital in ensuring a healthy feet.
The infection causes inflammation of the skin of the feet. The fungus
could spread to the palm, groin, and body. Experts affirmed that it is
mostly spread by shoes. Dr Lolu Eniegbokan,a dermatologist at the
University Teaching Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State said, wearing shoes for a
long time, makes it thrive.
A report by World Health Organisation (WHO) says: People who share
socks and shoes are more vulnerable to contacting the infection. He said
people who have been found to wear shoes for long hours without
switching for another are more at risk because they would have sweats on
the foot, thus creating a moist environment where the fungus lives.
The fungus which is mostly found on wet surfaces, including gyms ,
swimming pools, nail salons, airport security lines and contaminated
socks and clothing, require a warm, dark, and humid environment in order
to grow.
Studies have shown that athlete’s foot is mostly spread by direct
contact with contaminated surfaces or objects and therefore suggested
that keeping the feet always dry was the best option in preventing the
fungus.
Similarly, medical experts revealed that those who wear shoes all the
time should try to walk barefoot to allow air to the feet. Recent
researches on the Web Md, for instance, stated that: “ Since shoes
are the primary mode of spreading this infection and the fungus is
almost non-existent in barefoot cultures due to the prevalence of
strong, dry, feet that are very well ventilated, not wearing shoes at
all is almost 100 per cent effective in preventing the fungus.”
He said people who regularly wear shoes should try to walk barefoot
as much as possible in order to prevent the infection. Simply remaining
barefoot for a few hours after walking through an infected area is
usually enough to prevent the fungus growing and wear it off your feet.
He said that endeavouring to keep the foot dry before wearing the
shoes is best to help prevent athlete’s foot. The American podiatric
medical association offers frequently changing of shoes and socks to
help keep the feet dry.
Researchers revealed however, that contrary to the belief of some
that by walking barefoot someone could contract the infection, he said,
avoiding wet floors, like walking barefoot on a bathroom floor, for
instance makes a person vulnerable.
He said “whether you are walking barefoot or not, it is important for
you to keep your feet dry at all times, by walking with a dry feet on a
dry floor.”
Experts have therefore suggested keeping the feet dry always while
walking barefoot, emphasising that the foot should be dry before
wearing the shoe to help prevent athlete’s foot. In a latest study
published in the journal of the National Association of Chiropodists,
the researchers found that the fungus is mostly seen in approximately
0.75 per cent of habitually always barefoot people as compared to the
virtually 100 per cent prevention gained by walking barefoot.
Here are simple home tips to maintain and prevent athlete’s foot
•Keep your feet clean and dry.
•Dry is between your toes after bathing or swimming.
•Wear leather shoes or sandals that allow your feet to breathe when indoors, wear socks without shoes.
•Wear cotton socks to absorb sweat.
•Change your socks twice a day. (Note that white socks do not prevent athlete’s foot, as some people believe.)
•Use talcum or anti-fungal powder on your feet to keep it dry
•Allow your shoes to air for at least 24 hours before you wear them again.
•Wear shower sandals in public pools and showers.
•Don’t wear sneakers without socks.
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