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Athletes foot - Its causes and important treatments

May 31, 2009

Athletes foot is a rather common medical condition that can affect anyone’s feet. To be more specific, Athletes foot is a fungal infection which can be very unpleasant due to the pain that can be associated with it. In the early stages of the infection, Athletes foot can cause dry scaling of the skin and itching. However, should the infection get worse, it can result in burning inflammation of the skin combined with pustules and open sores.

What is the cause of Athletes foot?
This fungal infection primarily got its name as it happens to be more common in athletes for one main reason. The fungi which cause Athletes foot (Trichophyton or Epidermophyton) prefer moisture and warmth. Due to the fact that athletes feet sweat and are always in shoes and socks for long periods of time, there are more chances of these individuals contracting the infection.

The infection can also spread from one person to another. Walking barefoot in facilities like public showers and changing rooms also increases the chances of a person getting the infection.

Athletes foot treatment
There are different effective treatments for Athletes foot, and ways to prevent it happening again. The most common types of Athletes foot treatment are ointments, oils and lotions that can be applied to the affected area to treat the infection. These can be very helpful as they take effect as soon as they are applied. Other important tips to avoid Athletes foot include keeping the feet clean and dry at all times and avoid walking barefoot on floors.

Category: Athletes Foot

What causes chilblains and effective ways to treat them

May 28, 2009

Of all the infections that affect the feet, chilblains is generally found in people who live in cold countries. It is thought that they are directly attributed to poor circulation. Chilblains affects the toes and the feet and results in them becoming swollen, itchy and red. There are different factors that can cause chilblains:

• Bone marrow or connective tissue disorders
• Poor blood circulation
• Poor nutrition

When your feet are exposed to cold, the capillary beds in the skin get damaged which is the cause of the itching, inflammation and redness. Burning sensations on the feet that begin to turn red and end up purple is a common symptom of chilblains. It is also possible for the skin to break and an infection to develop. Although chilblains are said to be idiopathic in origin, they could be a manifestation of a medical condition that is more serious and investigating and treating them quickly is essential.

Chilblains treatment

There are different kinds of chilblains treatment. These include prescribed medication from doctors and also ointments, lotions and oils that can be used to treat chilblains. There are also ways to prevent chilblains from occurring and these are keeping the feet warm. This can be done by wearing woollen slippers and socks. However, it is important to stay away from direct heat like using hot showers and hot water bottles.

Category: Chilblains

Why fungus affects toenails and how you can stop it from spreading

May 27, 2009

Everyone knows that a strong immune system is needed to stay healthy and fit. But did you know that if you have a weak immune system fungus can infect your nails? Fungus can infect the nail in a number of ways which includes a weak immune system, swimming pool changing rooms, bathrooms and other damp or public places. When fungal organisms find their way under the bed of the nail, it becomes difficult to remedy.

Fungus can cause a lot of pain. For this reason, treatment is very important and should be undergone as soon as the growth is spotted.

Why does fungus usually affect toenails?
As people wear shoes and socks, the toenails are kept in a dark, moist and warm place and this is the ideal place for fungus to grow.

Can a fungal nail infection spread?

It is likely that the infection will spread if the person who has it does not treat the condition quickly.

Getting rid of this kind of fungal infection requires good hygiene, care of the feet and fungal nail treatment. You should take care of your feet ensuring that they are washed regularly and dried completely before putting on your socks and shoes. Getting shoes that fit properly is also important and whenever possible wear slippers or sandals so that your feet are exposed to fresh air and light.

Category: Nail fungus

Various tips to prevent fungal nail infections

May 25, 2009

Fungal nail infections may be a common problem but should not be ignored as they can cause severe problems in the future. Once you get this infection, you start getting small yellow or white spots that spread slowly throughout the nail.

The common symptoms of such an infection which is also known as onychomycosis are brittle, thickened, dull and distorted nails that are black, brown, green or yellow in colour. They may also emit a foul odour. If left untreated, the disease could cause pain and may even lead to permanent damage to your nail. Fungal nail infections can also spread to various other parts of your body. Hence, it necessary to get rid of such problems before they get any worse.

Here are a few tips on how to prevent fungal nail infections:

1 Always make sure you keep your nails clean, dry and short. Wipe hands and feet properly after bathing. Always pay proper attention with regards to the spaces that are between the toes.

2 Avoid biting your nails.

3 Wear well ventilated footwear. Avoid wearing tight shoes as it traps perspiration, thereby creating a perfect atmosphere for fungi to multiply and grow. Wear clean socks and keep your feet dry, so as to avoid moisture.

4 If you have the infection, it would be always be advisable to use a good antifungal powder or spray.

By following these simple steps, you can avoid such unwanted problems.

Category: Nail fungus

Tips to help you take good care of your feet

May 23, 2009

People often take what they have for granted and realise their mistake only when a problem arises. This usually becomes a concern when it comes to our health. People tend to disregard the importance of taking proper care of their bodies until they start feeling the ill effects of constant abuse. Our feet are one of the things that we take for granted without realising how important they are.

Foot ailments are experienced by people all over the world. The most common foot ailments that people face are fungal skin infections. These can be caused by a number of factors and can be acquired in numerous places.

Tips to avoid fungal skin infections

• Regularly wash your feet, particularly between the toes and ensure they are properly dried

• It is important that you trim your toenails but do not make them too short as this can result in ingrown toenails

• If your toenails become discoloured or thick, it could be developing fungus so you should get your feet checked out by a health care professional

• If you experience continuous pain or notice anything unusual regarding your feet, you should see a doctor

• Do not walk barefoot in places the general public frequent like public showers as this is one of the ways you can get fungal skin infections.

It is also important that you wear the right sized shoes and that they are appropriate for the activities you are performing.

Staying clear of fungal skin infections

May 16, 2009

People can be very careless when it comes to certain things. A good number of people think that as the feet are the one part of the body that cannot usually be seen, there is no need for looking after them. However, they could not be more wrong. Like it or not, it is very important to care for your feet if you want to avoid fungal skin infections.

Although you may not think it is something to worry about, it is extremely important to keep your skin free from any kind of skin infection. This is because fungal skin infections can multiply relatively quickly on the body and they can be difficult to treat, especially if they occur on the feet. There are different kinds of fungal skin infections like nail infections, athlete’s foot, ringworm and many others.

Fungal skin infections result in the skin becoming scaly, red and dry and can also cause itchiness. Moisture in particular is what attracts bacteria and fungi and can further worsen the infection. Dealing with fungal skin infections is not very hard but it does require some important grooming habits. This would include keeping your skin fresh and dry all the time.

It is also necessary that you do not use anyone else’s personal belongings as the infection could spread. There are a number of oils and lotions that can help heal fungal skin infections. Applying these regularly can get rid of the infection effectively and quickly.

Category: Infections

A few points to help you cure your fungal nail infection

May 14, 2009

Taking care of your nails should be an integral part of your daily body care schedule. Although fingernails get much attention, the toe nails are often left unattended and uncared for. This can be dangerous as you might contract fungal nail infections in your feet.

People usually wear tight shoes that do not allow the feet to breathe properly and keep them damp. Quite apart from this, many things can lead to fungal nail infections and they can be more painful than you probably think. Fungal nail infections also make the nails of your feet thick and discoloured. Proper fungal nail treatment is required if you want to get rid of the infection.

Fungal nail treatment does not just mean taking a number of pills. A fungal infection is an acute problem where you need to take care of the affected area. For effective fungal nail treatment you must keep the feet dry at all times and allow them to breath. Thus, while undergoing fungal nail treatment you must shoes that let in air and preferably light.

In fungal infections the nails must be covered with an ointment so that the fungal infection is first slowed down and then treated. To make your fungal nail treatment effective, you should also use natural essential oils as they help in curing fungal infections more quickly.

You can also use natural essential oils once your fungal nail treatment is over as they keep your feet healthier and prevent contraction of fungal infections.

Category: Nail fungus

Nail fungus infections are more common than you think

May 12, 2009

Millions of people all around the world suffer from nail fungal infections. In fact, around 2% to 18% of the world’s population suffers from fungal infection, whether it is on the fingers or toes. Nail fungus can be embarrassing but it does not always have to be that way, as it can be effectively treated and can be prevented easily.

Causes of nail fungus
Nail fungus occurs because of the following factors - exposure to moist, warm environments such as public lockers or showers, foot hygiene, footwear, pH of the skin, disease immunity and circulatory problems. Any of the above factors can lead to nail fungus infection, so if any of them relate to you, the risks of a nail fungus infection are higher. In addition, age is an important factor too, as nail fungus infections are significantly less likely in children but with the years passing by, the risks increase accordingly.

Nail fungal treatment
The treatment for nail fungus is not quick and it is important to give adequate time for the treatment before seeing positive results. As the fungus infection affects the nail, the nail fungal treatment requires time to penetrate the hard enamel of the nail. Generally, it takes at least a couple of months for the treatment to start healing the fungus infection and show results.

It is important to know that nail fungus infections can be treated with the right medication and treatment, but even more important is preventing the nail fungus infection from reoccurring. It is always best to seek the advice of a doctor for the right nail fungal treatment.

Category: Nail fungus

Fungal skin infections can be avoided with proper care

May 8, 2009

Fungal skin infections are common occurrences, caused due to a number of bacteria, virus and fungi. Bacteria and fungi can infect the human body at a number of places and due to a number of reasons. Fungal skin infections generally occur among people who have a weak immune system. They also spread very easily, especially among those who are in close contact with those infected.

There are a number of fungal skin infections that can harm the human body. All these infections have different symptoms and treatments and hence it is very important to first identify the type of infection that you are suffering from.

People suffering from certain kinds of medical conditions are those who are most likely to fall victim to fungal skin infections. There are times when the medications that we take affect our immune system, making it weak and giving fungi an opportunity to grow.

Fungal skin infections most commonly look like a rash on the skin. Some fungal skin infections may cause itchy red patches that can be very painful depending on the type of infection. Cracking and peeling on the skin also occurs in certain types of infections. Such a situation can lead to the growth and development of bacteria that can worsen the problem.

Fungal skin infections can be very irritating to deal with. Therefore, it is always advisable to take measures that will avoid their occurrence. For example, skin should be kept dry and clean at all times as this prevents the growth of fungi.

Category: Infections

Chilblains are best treated with herbs for faster relief

May 6, 2009

Skin infections and allergies can be caused by a number of things, forcing you to face a number of problems. Chilblains are one such allergic skin reaction that can be caused due to sudden and extreme changes in the surrounding temperature. Chilblains are also known as perniosis or pernio.

Identifying chilblains is not a difficult task. Chilblains normally occur on the fingers, toes, ears and nose, causing these areas to swell. The swollen areas also fall victim to burning and itching sensations that can be very painful. Timely treatment needs to be provided to people suffering from chilblains in order to prevent additional swelling and infections that may increase the problem.

The blood vessels in our body take time to react to the various changes in surrounding temperatures. Therefore, when your body is exposed to cold for long periods of time and then is warmed all of a sudden, the blood from your body leaks into your skin causing the formation of chilblains. Chilblains can also be formed in areas that have restricted circulation of blood.

Chilblains can be prevented only when your body is kept warm at all times, especially in cold climates. It is always advisable to wear a good amount of warm clothing so that your body is protected from the cold.

Chilblains can be treated in a number of ways. Treating chilblains with drugs can take a very long time. Therefore, many people opt for herbal and antiseptic treatments that help warm the body naturally, keeping chilblains at bay.

Category: Chilblains