Athlete’s Foot
Athlete’s foot, also called Tinea pedis, or ringworm of the feet, is the most common superficial fungus infection. It is uncommon in areas of the world where people never wear shoes.
It is a persistent fungal infection of the foot. Its presentation is more common between the toes and the toenails but can also occur on other areas of the foot. The skin between the toes appears red, cracked, and scaly. Sores and blisters can form on the soles of the feet and between the toes. May you will feel burn or itchiness in the infected area.
Recommendations
1. Use one of the following solutions as a 20 to 30 minute foot bath twice a day.
a. Four ounces of thyme to a pint of alcohol.
b. Goldenseal tea. After drying, dust with goldenseal powder.
c. Seawater or saline made with sea salt.
d. One clove of garlic blended in one quart of water.
2. Wash the feet, particularly the area between the toes, with soap and water, and dry carefully twice a day. Put on clean socks.
3. Use socks that allow the evaporation of moisture. Canvas sneakers or sandals are best. Avoid shoes with plastic linings. Change shoes every other day to allow moisture to escape.
4. Small pieces of cotton placed between the toes at night will help absorb moisture.
5. Use white cotton socks. Cotton absorbs perspiration better than synthetic materials. Coloring dyes may produce an allergic reaction, further complicating the problem.
6. Expose the feet to sunshine at least 10 to 15 minutes a day.
7. Do not walk barefooted around swimming pools and public places.
8. Apple cider vinegar (or any vinegar) has been reported useful. Apply every time itching begins and after every bath to stop fungus growth.
9. Rub the infected area with a cut clove of garlic.
10. Cornstarch dusted on the feet will help control moisture.
11. Cotton balls may be soaked in honey and placed between the toes at bedtime. Cover feet with socks to keep the bed clean.
12. Hot and cold foot baths may be used. Fill a tub with enough hot water to come up above the ankles. The water should be as hot as can be tolerated, and more hot water should be added as the foot bath cools. Keep the feet in hot water for six minutes, and then use a one-minute ice water soak. Repeat the hot and cold three times. Dry feet thoroughly, and dust with cornstarch or goldenseal powder. The treatment may be repeated every two hours in severe cases.
13. Avoid the use of athlete’s foot remedies commonly obtained from the drugstore. In one study 40% of the people using the products were found to be allergic to one or more of the ingredients. Boric acid is readily absorbed into the body where the skin is broken and may produce toxicity. It is found in many over-the-counter athlete’s foot remedies.
14. Griseofulvin is often prescribed for stubborn cases of athlete’s foot, but studies have shown that this medicine produces cancer in mice. To demonstrate that griseofulvin is not a carcinogen in man would require at least a 20-year follow-up of griseofulvin treated patients, comparing the incidence of malignant tumors to the incidence in a comparable group of control patients. There is no such data. It is toxic to the offspring and should never be given to pregnant women. More immediate side effects of griseofulvin include headache, mental confusion, blood dyscrasias, and gastrointestinal disturbances.
Reference
Rustia M, Shubik P. Thyroid tumours in rats and hepatomas in mice after griseofulvin treatment. Br J Cancer. 1978;38(2):237-249. doi:10.1038/bjc.1978.194
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Silvia Rojas Reyes,
N.D., M.M.P., Health & Life Coach
(Lifestyle Medicine, Harvard)
Email: info@amazingnaturalmedicine.org
Phone: 44- 756 24 25 749
“Healthy Lifestyle Matters in Prevention of Diseases” SRR
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