| HOME |
| BULK HERBS Alfalfa Aloe Vera Bay Leaf Cat Nip Cayenne Celery Seeds Cranberry Eucalyptus Fennel Garlic Ginger Ginseng Lavender Lemongrass Spearmint |
| SPONSOR |
| ORGANIC TEA |
| Green Tea White Tea Mixed Tea |
| BATH PRODUCTS |
| Beeswax Coco Butter Shea Butter Witch Hazel Soap Base Vitamin E Oil Baking Soda |
Causes, incidence, and risk factors The body normally hosts a variety of microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi. Some of these are useful to the body. Others may, under certain conditions, multiply rapidly and cause infections. Athlete's foot occurs when a particular type of fungus grows and multiplies in your feet (especially between your toes) or, less commonly, your hands. Of the fungal infections known as infections, Athlete's foot is the most common. It may occur at the same time as other fungal skin infections such as ringworm or . These fungi thrive in warm, moist areas. Your risk for getting athlete's foot increases if you:
Growth environmentGrowth of the athlete's foot fungus is promoted by a dark, warm, moist environment such as that found inside shoes. The fungi persist for a long time in the environment, facilitating transmission of the disease in communal areas such as locker rooms and showers. |
What is tinea?Tinea is a fungus that can grow on your skin, hair or nails. As it grows, it spreads out in a circle, leaving normal-looking skin in the middle. This makes it look like a ring. At the edge of the ring, the skin is lifted up by the irritation and looks red and scaly. To some people, the infection looks like a worm is under the skin. Because of the way it looks, tinea infection is often called "ringworm." However, there really isn't a worm under the skin. |
Typical symptoms include scaling and peeling in the toe webs (the area between the toes) generally without any accompanying pain, odor, or itching. The infection may also involve the soles of the feet where athlete's foot may present as redness, blistering, and scaling along the sides and soles of the feet, taking on what is termed a moccasin pattern.
 |
Over time, this condition can lead to a secondary bacterial infection. It’s possible for the fungus to set off a reaction that results in tissue breakdown — soggy skin and eroded areas between the toes. In advanced cases, the toe webs become whitened, softened, and soggy; they may itch severely, and there may be a foul odor. As the condition worsens, painful cracking in the toe webs and some oozing may develop. |
Athletes foot can sometimes be associated with onychomycosis, a fungal infection of the toenails. However, the usual case of athlete's foot is a more superficial infection than the more stubborn and deep seated nail infection.
| Sometimes after an episode of
athlete's foot, if particles enter the
bloodstream, there may be an allergic reaction
causing blisters on the fingers, toes or hands. If you have diabetes or an illness that makes it harder for your body to fight off infections, athlete’s foot can become a very serious infection in itself or facilitate secondary infections with other serious organisms. You should see a doctor immediately if your feet develop severe redness or swelling, areas of pus, and/or severe pain. |
 |
Do I need to see a doctor about athlete's foot?
If you can’t seem to win the battle against
athlete's foot, then it’s probably time to visit
your doctor. There are further treatment steps that can
be taken. If the topical antifungal treatments are not
sufficient to control the problem, then an oral
prescription treatment is often the next step. There are
quite a few antifungal medications on the market, your
doctor will help you decide which is best. Fortunately,
some of the newer medications have minimal side-effects
and are less expensive, but because of possible
complications all of the oral antifungals are available
only by prescription.
Are there any other issues I should be concerned
about if I have athlete's foot?
Athlete’s foot is extremely common, and in almost
all cases there is no underlying problem that led to your
contracting this infection. However, fungal infections
can also be an early sign of more serious problems that
result in a weakened immune system. This is especially
true for individuals who are at risk for developing
diabetes or contracting the HIV virus. If someone in your
family has diabetes, or if you are at-risk for HIV
(high-risk sexual activity, needle sharing), then you
should see your doctor to confirm that these are not
potential underlying disorders
| CANDLE MAKING |
| Paraffin Wax Soy Wax Other Waxes Wicks Warning Labels |
| SPONSOR |
| FOOT CARE |
| Plantar Fasciitis Verrucas Virus Athletes Foot Thick Toe Nails Corns & Calluses Ingrown Nails Medications |