It is very probable that once in your life

It is very probable that once in your life you suffered from dry and peeling skin, intractable itchiness, and small irritating blisters from your feet or within the web spaces of your toes. You may have recalled that it might have all started as frequent sweaty feet with malodorous scent that bothers everyone including yourself. Then my friend, you too have become a fungal victim of poor foot hygiene. Athlete's foot (Tinea pedis- meaning "fungal foot") is the term used for a common disorder found on the skin of the foot usually affecting the sole and interdigital spaces. The cleft between the third, fourth, and fifth toes are the most frequent sites of affectation. On initial observation, you may describe it as a moist skin that easily peels upon rubbing and scratching which may then result to uncomfortable skin splits or fissures. Upon continuous neglect, thinking it might heal on its own, your feet turns from generally mildly inflamed to severely inflamed secondary to concomitant bacterial infection.

You may now wonder what might have led you to suffer from this gruesome skin foot disease. But the truth of the matter is, it's a combination of numerous factors other than fungal or mould infection. Enclosing your feet in a pair of tight "non breathable" shoes will lead to profuse sweating and moisture (which at times is aggravated by physical activity and a humid climate). Moisture per se is a conduit for fungal growth or mould infection. Continuous pressing of the toes to each other or scratching may lead to open wounds that may cause bacterial contamination that causes of the unpleasant fumes you complain and will also cause further inflammation.

So what are the predisposing factors found in your lifestyle and medical history that may put you at risk of getting it? Athlete's foot is not exclusive for athletes alone as its name implies. Anyone who participates in sports or with an occupation that requires prolonged walking and standing can be at risk. Failure of some to properly dry their feet after taking a bath and subsequently wearing socks and shoes will lead to excessive skin moisture. Individuals with metabolic conditions that cause them to perspire heavily are also at risk. Persons suffering from other skin conditions maybe more vulnerable in getting infected compared to normal individuals.

Is it infective? Most definitely! Fungal spores are found almost every where, so you need to protect yourself. It's common among unwashed socks, soaked shoes, surfaces of communal areas like public showers, swimming pools and surrounding areas and changing rooms. Athlete's foot treatment and cure begins with careful foot care (washing and drying of feet), use of hygienic foot wears (making sure you do wear a clean pair of socks everyday), and exclusivity of use of own shoes - younger family members sometimes borrow each others shoes so avoid this especially when you might think someone in the family may have it because it will help prevent spreading the infection.

How will I conclusively know if I have it? Other than identifying some of the above mentioned signs and symptoms, consulting a dermatologist (a skin doctor) is the best way to know for sure. You may be requested to undergo laboratory tests such as Wood's light (ultraviolet) examination looking for coral-red fluorescence, swabs for bacterial microscopy and culture, and skin scrapings for fungal microscopy and culture. These are the most definitive ways of diagnosing it.

You may be wondering, in case you have, or may, get it, what is the best way to resolve it? Athlete's foot treatment and cure should begin with general measures like carefully drying your feet and especially between the toes, applying foot powder, wearing shoes that are loose around the edges or just snugly fit, avoiding VIVOBAREFOOT bare footed walking, and applying a topical antifungal agent as prescribed by your doctor. Remember, fungal infection is a common foot skin condition but is highly preventable. As the cliché goes, an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of medication.