Athlete’s foot, also called tinea pedis, is a fungal infection that’s quite common, with up to 25 percent of people having this condition at some point in their lives. Usually, people get it when they walk around barefoot in communal areas, such as gym showers or locker rooms, after doing something that caused their feet to be very sweaty. It isn’t necessarily a very serious condition, as it’s often simple to treat.
Diagnosis
First, you want to make sure the problem really is athlete’s foot and not some other condition. This condition is usually described as having itchy, red, scaling, or cracked places on the soles of the feet or between the toes. The same fungus may have spread to other parts of the body, such as the hands, groin, or under the nails. Those who haven’t had this condition before may want to check with a doctor before starting Athletes Foot Treatments in Joliet IL to confirm the diagnosis.
First Steps
Milder versions of athlete’s foot can be treated using an over-the-counter fungal cream according to the directions, usually for between one and four weeks. Keep the feet clean and dry as much as possible. Wearing open-toed shoes, like sandals, can help give your feet a chance to air out and minimize the spread of the condition. Another thing that may help is to soak feet in a mix of one tablespoon bleach to half a gallon of water for about 10 minutes per night to help kill the fungus. Bleaching your shower and your socks can help to kill any fungus that may be living there.
More Serious Treatment
Should over-the-counter Athlete’s Foot Treatment in Joliet IL not work, a doctor can prescribe prescription antifungal treatment. Most likely, they’ll have you try creams first, as these have fewer potential risks of adverse effects than the oral versions. The oral Athlete’s Foot Treatment in Joliet IL is more likely to be necessary in very serious cases or when it’s a moccasin-type infection that makes infection on the sole or heel of the foot very thick.
Contact Suburban Foot & Ankle Associates in Joliet IL for more information on diagnosing and treating athlete’s foot. They can also help with any other foot or ankle problems you may be dealing with.
For more information visit domain URL
