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, reports GBEMI SOLAJA
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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