Fighting smelly athlete’s foot
Nov 16, 2004
Athlete’s foot is so common that almost every adult has had it at one time or another. It is a disease of civilisation.
By Paul Semugoma
Athlete’s foot is so common that almost every adult has had it at one time or another. It is a disease of civilisation.
Before shoes were invented, jiggers were the problem. With shoes, jiggers disappeared and in came athlete’s foot.
The cause is a fungus. It loves warm, moist, dark places. So the conditions have to be created.
You put your feet in shoes. They are warm and dark. The feet sweat. Over days, the skin is rubbed and crumbles.
In comes the fungus. It loves this environment. It cannot go deep, but feeds on that dying, flaking skin. It flourishes. And the conditions are created for the ‘Kazibwe Odour’ (smelly feet).
The results of the fungal infection are such that, the skin peels, especially between the toes. It cracks, is white, scaly, flaking and itchy. The soles peel sometimes resulting in blisters and wounds.
Bacteria may take advantage of the conditions to cause open wounds. This will cause pain and discomfort. Otherwise, there is usually no pain.
Men fall prey to athlete’s foot more often than women. It is rare before puberty. It is inconveniencing, unsightly, smelly, but not life threatening. It can be worse in those with decreased immunity like people with HIV and diabetes.
Diagnosis is easy. You will know when you have it. You can buy the drugs at pharmacists, or from a clinic. It is important to remember that although the drugs work, they have to be used at least once a day, for a prolonged time. Up to four weeks.
Drugs are not effective alone. You have to change the environment that the fungus loves. Work on the following and you will succeed:-
The feet
- Aim to keep them dry at all times
- Dry them after a wash, in particular between the toes.
- Leave them out of shoes until they are dry.
The socks
- Use clean, dry socks. Cotton is the best
- Change them when the feet sweat
The shoes
- Always take them off when convenient.
- Let them dry out. Take out the insole overnight.
-Alternate shoe pairs to allow them good aeration.
When treated, the infection goes and should not return if you remember a few tips.
You can prevent it by having many pairs of (absorbent, cotton) socks; wash and change them daily. Do not share shoes with someone who has athlete’s foot.
At swimming pools and public wash places; remember that the fungus loves the floor. Use footwear.
Athlete’s foot can be a nuisance. It is preventable and treatable. Just remember that when the ‘Kazibwe odour’ next wafts out of someone’s feet as they relax and air them!
The writer is a medical doctor
Athlete’s foot is so common that almost every adult has had it at one time or another. It is a disease of civilisation.
Before shoes were invented, jiggers were the problem. With shoes, jiggers disappeared and in came athlete’s foot.
The cause is a fungus. It loves warm, moist, dark places. So the conditions have to be created.
You put your feet in shoes. They are warm and dark. The feet sweat. Over days, the skin is rubbed and crumbles.
In comes the fungus. It loves this environment. It cannot go deep, but feeds on that dying, flaking skin. It flourishes. And the conditions are created for the ‘Kazibwe Odour’ (smelly feet).
The results of the fungal infection are such that, the skin peels, especially between the toes. It cracks, is white, scaly, flaking and itchy. The soles peel sometimes resulting in blisters and wounds.
Bacteria may take advantage of the conditions to cause open wounds. This will cause pain and discomfort. Otherwise, there is usually no pain.
Men fall prey to athlete’s foot more often than women. It is rare before puberty. It is inconveniencing, unsightly, smelly, but not life threatening. It can be worse in those with decreased immunity like people with HIV and diabetes.
Diagnosis is easy. You will know when you have it. You can buy the drugs at pharmacists, or from a clinic. It is important to remember that although the drugs work, they have to be used at least once a day, for a prolonged time. Up to four weeks.
Drugs are not effective alone. You have to change the environment that the fungus loves. Work on the following and you will succeed:-
The feet
- Aim to keep them dry at all times
- Dry them after a wash, in particular between the toes.
- Leave them out of shoes until they are dry.
The socks
- Use clean, dry socks. Cotton is the best
- Change them when the feet sweat
The shoes
- Always take them off when convenient.
- Let them dry out. Take out the insole overnight.
-Alternate shoe pairs to allow them good aeration.
When treated, the infection goes and should not return if you remember a few tips.
You can prevent it by having many pairs of (absorbent, cotton) socks; wash and change them daily. Do not share shoes with someone who has athlete’s foot.
At swimming pools and public wash places; remember that the fungus loves the floor. Use footwear.
Athlete’s foot can be a nuisance. It is preventable and treatable. Just remember that when the ‘Kazibwe odour’ next wafts out of someone’s feet as they relax and air them!
The writer is a medical doctor