Athlete's foot is an unpleasant disease, its treatment is tedious and requires the utmost rigor. But at the same time it is a common disease, according to recent studies, around ten million Germans will suffer from athlete's foot in their lifetime. With preventive measures you protect yourself against infection, but if you have become infected, only patience helps.
What helps against athlete's foot?
Athlete's foot becomes noticeable through itchy and reddened skin, it flakes and looks neglected. Already because of the external appearance, but also because of the symptoms, the urgent question arises, what helps against athlete's foot. Athlete's foot is an infectious disease of the skin, it is then affected by skin fungus.
The fungus is often found in the spaces between the toes or on the soles of the feet, where the skin is itchy and reddened. If the athlete's foot spreads to the nail, a nail fungus develops, and it is also tedious to treat. Since a fungal disease breaks out mainly through a weak immune system, it is important to strengthen the immune system in order to be permanently protected against the fungal disease. If the immune system is strong and fulfills its protective function, fungi and bacteria have no chance. Whether athlete's foot has to be treated with home remedies, alternative remedies, a cream or medication depends on the severity of the disease.
Home remedies, alternative remedies, or a killing cream may help if the condition is mild. If the fungus keeps breaking out, you should contact a doctor. The fungus can grow from the outer layers of the skin into the deeper layers, which makes treatment much more difficult. The growth can only be treated with strong medication that must be taken for between two and four weeks.
The tricky thing about the fungal disease, however, is that the fungus is far from killed when the external symptoms disappear. This is another reason why athlete's foot is a long-term disease that needs to be treated. So that it doesn't get that far, some quick help is needed.
Quick help
There is basically no quick help with athlete's foot. The patient must know that the fungus can only be killed with consequence. However, prevention is the most important measure, and a lot can be done about it. A fungus emerges and grows in a warm and humid climate. Therefore, the feet should never get wet.
Leather shoes and cotton socks help to keep them dry, making it easier for the skin to breathe. In the best case scenario, you often wear open-toe shoes. A separate towel is used after washing and the feet and the spaces between the toes should be dried thoroughly. If the skin is slightly softened, the fungus penetrates particularly well. Regular application of lotion also helps to keep the skin supple, so there are no cracks in the skin that the fungal spores can penetrate.
If you wear the same shoes every day, they should be well ventilated so that the fungus cannot grow. Stockings should be changed every day. Otherwise it is important to keep the immune system stable and efficient, because then the body can cope with the intruder more easily. And finally, bathing shoes are used in public swimming pools and saunas. The disinfectants in the swimming pools should be avoided, they attack the natural protective layer of the skin unnecessarily.
Alternative remedies
Alternative remedies can help with mild forms of the disease. Lavender oil inhibits the formation of fungi and can kill them. Researchers suspect that the essential oil destroys the fungus's cell walls.
Myrrh, peppermint and tea trees also have a killing, disinfecting and antiseptic effect. These oils should only be used undiluted in very small quantities. In order not to dry out the skin, we recommend diluting it with olive or sesame oil.
A foot bath with these oils also brings relief if it is used daily. Sliced garlic or onion skins are the savior in an emergency when the fungus itches acutely.
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