SHOP ONLINE

Foot problems
Our feet take us everywhere where we want to go. Although we take them for granted, they are actually very susceptible to different diseases. People suffer from a range of foot problems such as pes planus, diabetic related foot diseases, foot pain, high arch, bunions and athlete’s foot. These problems affect the foot in various ways and their intensity varies. There are a lot of ways to treat such foot problems and it is always advisable to consult a podiatrist if you think you may have some form of infection.

Treatments
There are different types of foot treatments such as fungal nail treatment, athlete’s foot treatment, chilblains treatment, verruca treatment and other antifungal treatments. There are also a lot of treatments for fungal skin infections. If nail infections are not taken care of properly, in time the nail can become thick and this can ultimately lead to other fungal infections such as athlete’s foot. Many of these foot problems arise due to negligence. For prevention of these infections, your feet have to be cleaned properly, especially if you have been walking barefoot in public places.

Prevention techniques and places to be careful
You should always wear shoes that fit you comfortably and allow some breathing space for your feet. You should also be aware that the incidence of any foot problem will increase if you do any frequent activity where your feet sweat or around swimming pools and other places where you may walk barefoot. Children and elderly people are particularly at risk to these types of infections.

view story

Nail fungal infections can be caused due to numerous species of fungi. Aspergillus nail infections are caused by environmental fungus. Such cases are relatively rare, but nevertheless, there are many different species of Aspergillus fungi that grow on animal matter and decaying plants and get dispersed through spores to different places.

Aspergillus fungi also thrive and grow in human environments such as barns and sheds as well as in moist damp cellars, on grains and straw, on mouldy food and in fields where plant matter decomposes. The mould is generally not a health problem; however, occasionally the inhalation of spores can cause fungal lung infections while contamination of nails can result in onychomycosis.

Developing crumbly and thick nails are symptoms of nail fungus infections. Usually, the nail fungus affects the toenails, which can cause discoloration and disfiguration of the nails. If the nail fungus is left uncontrolled, they can cause the nail to die. Thus, keeping your nails short, clean and dry can help to avoid such infections.

view story

Several studies have shown that if people are unable to keep their feet dry, they may well start developing athlete’s foot. Also, as people cannot avoid going to places like shower areas, locker rooms and swimming pools, the fungi continue to grow and thrive. Apart from these areas, such fungus can be found on clothing and floors as well as in warm, humid, dark areas.

This infection generally spreads when people come into direct contact with infected and contaminated surfaces or objects. The affected area can also become more susceptible to bacteria and it may lead to several other skin infections. If you are a person who goes to swimming pools and other similar areas or if you experience sweaty feet, it is right to know the symptoms of athlete’s foot before the situation gets worse.

Some signs and symptoms of athlete’s foot include:

• Visible bumps on your feet
• Peeling, cracked or blistered areas, found on the webs between the toes
• Heavy scaling and visible redness on the soles
• Cheesy look of the skin between the toes
• Heavy sweating and unpleasant odour
• A rash that spreads from the inner side of the foot to the outer side and vice versa
• Fleshy or raw skin due to scratching

view story

Fungal infections can affect a whole lot of people. The feet are the most common places to contract a fungal infection. If your foot itches constantly and your skin looks unnaturally red, then you might have contracted a fungal infection. Fungal infections breed really fast and so it would not take long before it starts to show symptoms.

A fungal infection can cause a great deal of pain and irritation. Fungal infections, when not treated in time, can also take a long time to heal. It is absolutely essential that you apply the required medication like anti-fungal creams to treat your fungal infection quickly.

One of the most common reasons for the occurrence of fungal infections is prolonged exposure to wet or moist surroundings. These damp surroundings usually lead to the accumulation of moisture between your toes. Damp skin then becomes the breeding ground for fungi and the infection starts to spread.

Maintaining good foot hygiene is one of the best ways to avoid a fungal infection. Making sure that you change your socks daily and opting for shoes that keep your feet warm and well ventilated will also reduce the occurrence of fungal infections. Moreover, cleaning your feet properly after you have been exposed to damp places like swimming pools would also make sure that you keep fungal infections at bay. It is also important to visit a good dermatologist if you contract a fungal infection.

view story

Athlete’s foot is a common condition that can affect the feet of the individual. Athlete’s foot is essentially a fungal infection that can cause a lot of pain and considerable damage if not treated correctly. In its first stage, Athlete’s foot can cause itching and eczema-like scaling on the skin. In its worst form, it can cause an incessant burning of skin along with pustules and open sores.

The name Athlete’s foot naturally comes from the fact that many athletes suffer from it. Athletes are most susceptible to this fungal infection because the fungi that are instrumental in causing the infection require moisture and warmth. Athlete’s foot usually has all these conditions.

As the fungi are contagious it is easily transferred from one athlete to another since many share locker rooms and showers. As all athletes walk barefoot in such facilities it is the perfect breeding ground for this fungus. A small amount of fungi live on our feet anyway, but if they see an opportunity to multiply, they are quick to seize it, thus causing Athlete’s foot.

Therefore, the best way to ensure that no fungus is present on your foot is to change your socks and wash your feet regularly. Wearing used socks is a strict no-no since those conditions are conducive for the growth of fungi. Also, it is important for your feet to get some air. Therefore, if your feet sweat a lot, it is important to clean them regularly to avoid Athlete’s foot.

view story

Fungal nail infection is a very common form of infection which can be easily overlooked. As the condition begins as a small white or yellow dot on the nail, many people do not perceive it as a threat. Overlooking a fungal nail infection is extremely dangerous as it carries fungal germs that pose a huge threat in the long term. Treatment is likely to be successful if it has begun early.

The symptoms of a fungal nail infection are brittle, thickened and dull nails that are brown, black, yellow or green in colour. The infected nail can separate from the nail epidermis and emit a foul smell. If it is left untreated it can cause serious pain and may result in possible permanent damage to the nails. There is also a risk of it spreading to other parts of the body. If bacteria are present then this can cause a discharge of pus, high fever and increased swelling.

Nail fungus is more than a cosmetic issue. It can get in the way of your daily activities like playing sports, walking, typing, writing and other activities that require extensive use of the fingers. Research shows that nail fungus has a detrimental effect on the quality of life of individuals suffering from it.

In order to prevent a nail fungus infection it is important to keep your nails short, dry and clean at all times. Spaces between the toes are a major hot bed for bacteria. It is also important to wipe your hands and feet thoroughly after having a shower.

view story

Personal hygiene is a vital requirement in everyone’s lives. Most of us spend a lot of time taking care of our looks but very rarely do we bother about our feet. Perhaps the only time we pay attention to our feet is when our toenails have to be cut or our feet begin to hurt.

It is however, advisable for people to pay a little more attention to their feet because there is every possibility that you can develop some kind of foot infection that can become serious if not attended to immediately. One of the most common foot infections that affect people all over the world is toenail fungus.

When can toenail fungus most occur?

Usually when toes are exposed to moist and warm conditions they are more likely to get infected. Those who wear shoes and socks for long periods of time are more prone to developing toenail fungus. This infection mostly occurs during the summer season.

How would you know if you have toenail fungus?

You know you have toenail fungus when you see white or yellow spots under the tip of the toenail. The infection will also cause your toenails to get thicker, change colours, hurt and flake when it spreads under the nail.

Dealing with toenail fungus

There are many different toenail fungal treatments that you can choose from. Ointments, oils, lotions and medicines are some of the common toenail fungal treatments. Consulting a doctor is also advisable if it appears serious and hurts a great deal.

Whichever toenail fungal treatment you choose, it is important that you treat the infection immediately so that it can be cured as soon as possible.

view story

Chilblains are a medical condition a little similar to frostbite. This is also one of the main reasons why they are often confused for frostbite. They are caused due to constant or prolonged exposure to cold climates or surfaces. This is because exposure to a lot of cold can damage the capillary beds that are present in the skin. This damage causes the skin to become red. It can also sometimes cause blisters, itching and inflammation. Chilblains affect toes more than any other body part as toes are the most at risk of being in touch with cold surfaces for a longer period of time.

One of the best ways to avoid chilblains is to wear shoes with clean socks every day. It will also help to buy footwear that can keep your feet warm and also give them enough room to breathe. Inflammation of the skin around the infected area is one of the most common symptoms of chilblains. Although the exact cause of chilblains is still unknown, they are usually known to be triggered by prolonged exposure to cold climatic conditions.

Chilblains treatment would include gently massaging the infected area with a mild antiseptic cream or lotion. It is also important that you do not scratch the affected area as this will only make the infection worse. Walking around will help you circulate blood to the affected area and help in speedy recovery. A podiatrist will also be able to help you with chilblains treatment to a great extent.

view story

Most people exercise regularly and take special care of their body and face to make sure they stay looking youthful. However, in their attempt to look beautiful, people often forget to give proper attention to their feet. Our feet carry the weight of our body throughout the day so it is therefore very important for us to take good care of them.

Cleaning the feet and massaging them with essential oils or moisturising lotions help to not only keep the feet in good shape but also relax your body. More importantly, neglecting foot hygiene can give rise to fungal skin infections.

A fungal skin infection can first appear at the nails and then can later spread to the whole body. People often pick up fungal nail infections from walking bare foot in areas like public swimming baths and saunas. Fungal skin infections can also occur if you wear tight shoes throughout the day.

When the feet are held tightly in a shoe the skin cannot breathe. The sweat accumulates which makes it easier for fungal infections to occur and hence grow.

A fungal skin infection is irritating and painful. So, if you don’t want to shy away from revealing your feet in public, and want to maintain a healthy lifestyle, do not forget to take care of your feet.

view story

Fungal infections usually affect the skin because fungi thrive on keratin which is a major component of hair, skin and nails. Fungi thrive in places of the body where the skin overlaps. This includes the genital areas, areas between the toes and under the breasts. Fungi infections are quite common and more so in children who constantly walk barefoot and play in damp areas. Fungi are capable of colonising any environment they are introduced to. They grow in irregular masses and can broadly be classified into moulds and yeasts.

The most common kind of fungal infection is Athlete’s foot. It is caused when feet are exposed to damp and moist conditions for a prolonged period of time. The first symptoms of Athlete’s foot are burning, itching and swelling in the infected area. This infection usually occurs between the toes.

If Athlete’s foot is not given proper attention, this infection can become severe causing a great deal of pain and discomfort. The infection can infect both children and adults and the primary reason for its cause is either continuous exposure to dampness or just inadequate hygiene.

One of the best ways to avoid athlete’s foot is to wear comfortable and sweat absorbing socks and shoes. Swimming pools and gymnasiums are also places where people contract this infection. So taking proper steps in these locations can lower your risk of getting infected.

view story