Tinea Pedis - Athlete's Foot, Causes, Treatment, Athlete Foot Symptom, Athlete foot home remedies

What is Tinea Pedis ?

Athlete’s foot, also called tinea pedis, is a common fungal infection of the skin of the feet, many people will develop it at least once in their lives. It is more frequent among teenage and adult males, but may occur in women and in children under the age of 12. The cause is dermatophyte fungi. Dampness of the feet and exposure to fungi on gym floors are the culprits.

Due to immune factors, some individuals are predisposed to contracting this problem over and over again. Athlete's foot, or tinea pedis, is a fungal infection, tiny plant-like "germs," that can grow and multiply on human skin, especially the feet. The fungus grows in warm and moist environments, including footwear.

What are the symptoms of Tinea pedis / Athlete foot?

• Itching, most notably in the creases between your toes on the sole of the foot or between the toes (often the fourth and fifth toes).
• Cracked or blistered skin.
• Toe or foot swelling indicates a superimposed deep infection (cellulitis).
• Redness and scaling of the skin in affected areas.
• Infection may involve painful blistery lesions, which can be weepy and may have a strong odor.
• Discoloration or crumbling of the nails as the fungus progresses.

What are the causes of Tinea pedis / Athlete foot?

Athlete's foot is a fungal infection of the foot caused by parasites on the skin called dermatophytes. There are at least four dermatophytes that can cause athlete's foot. The most common is trichophyton rubrum.This fungus is contagious and therefore it generally is contracted through direct or indirect contact in public places like showers or locker rooms and in swimming pools and whirlpools. The fungi love warm, moist places with the result they are primarily a problem for people who wear tight-fitting trainers or don't dry their feet properly.The condition is contagious. It can be spread by direct skin-to-skin contact and indirectly through towels, shoes, floors, etc.

Home Remedy for the treatment of Tines pedis - Athlete foot.

1. Ginger or Garlic : Soak your feet in a basin of warm water containing either a few pods of crushed garlic or crushed ginger. Add to this a little alcohol. Soak feet for 10 minutes. Remove feet and dry thoroughly. Repeat 2-3 tomes a day. This provides immense relief.
2. Garlic powder Dust your feet twice daily with garlic powder or wash with garlic juice
3. Fill up foot bath with as hot a water then, mix 1 Cup of Epsom Salts, 1/2 Cup of Clorox and after that stand in it, so that your feet covers , then soak for 20 minutes or longer. If water gets cold add more hot water to keep the water warm. Do this each evening for 3 days until foot fungus disappears. Wait a week before doing it again if you have really bad fungus. (If toenails are badly discolored and red around the nails).
4. Apply aloe vera gel twice daily.
5. Vinegar, apple cider : Try rubbing it on the affected area with cotton balls. Let dry for 30 minutes. Rinse off. It's very effective. Another apple cider remedy is similar to the white vinegar one mentioned below: put a cup of vinegar in several quarts of very warm water and soak the foot for 15-20 minutes; repeat twice a day. This remedy will also kill fungus that has gotten under the toenails. Vinegar is effective because it makes the pH slightly more acidic.
6. Coco rose foot cream : Take half cup coconut oil, one teaspoon glycerin and two tablespoons rose water. Take a mixing bowl and pour all these ingredients together. Beat till a smooth paste is formed. Store in a jar and keep it in your bathroom. Use every night drying of feet and cracks in the feet will be gone.
7. Bleach : Make a solution of two tablespoons up to half a cup of laundry bleach to a gallon of warm water and soak your feet for 10-15 minutes twice a day. This should clear up athlete's foot in a week or ten day.
8. Wear cotton or synthetic running socks which absorb sweat and change the socks daily or more frequently if they become damp.

Prevention tips for Tines pedis - Athlete foot.

• Wash your feet daily.
• Dust an anti fungal powder on your feet and into your shoes.
• Wear socks made of cotton or wool, and change them at least twice a day or when they have become damp.
• Treatment should be continued for two weeks after the symptoms have disappeared to ensure the infection has been treated effectively.
• In public showers, do not go barefoot; use rubber sandals.
• Keep your feet thoroughly dry, especially between your toes.