Mycosis of the feet: athlete's foot natural treatment

Meaning of athlete's foot

"Athlete's foot" is a particular form of foot fungus located between the toes. This superficial skin infection caused by a fungus can affect the soles of the feet, the nails, and other locations on the skin outside of the feet. It can be the gateway to other infections, particularly bacterial ones (erysipelas). Heat and humidity are favourable factors for the development of fungus.

The causes

Foot fungus is caused by a fungus called dermatophyte. The latter contaminates the skin and develops especially between the toes. "Contamination most often occurs indirectly, when walking barefoot in hot and humid environments such as swimming pools, locker rooms, saunas, gyms. The fungus remains there between the toes then multiplies and spreads to skin and nails", explains Doctor Clélia Vanhaecke, hospital practitioner in the Dermatology-Venereology department at the Reims University Hospital.

“An untreated infected person can self-contaminate on other parts of the body”

Risk factors

Athletes' foot is very common among athletes. Wearing sports shoes contributes to the increase in the frequency of this mycosis.

Wearing closed shoes creates a warm and humid environment, favourable to the development of fungi.

A decrease in immune defences can promote the development of this fungus (for example: taking corticosteroids.).

Diabetes is also a risk factor for mycosis of the feet, through the reduction of defences and other factors that promote microtraumas that facilitate the penetration of the fungus into the skin (neurological and/or arterial damage linked to diabetes). Foot wounds in people with diabetes should be taken very seriously as they can, in certain situations, lead to amputation.

Circulatory disorders such as venous insufficiency (history of varicose veins), lymphatic insufficiency (common in cases of overweight or obesity) and arterial insufficiency (arteritis) also promote fungal infections by weakening the skin.

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People at risk

Athletes' foot fungus is not serious but is very unpleasant and contagious. “An untreated infected person can self-contaminate on other parts of the body. fungus, warm and humid)," says the doctor.

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Symptoms

The first signs most often start between the 3rd and 4th toe or between the 4th and 5th. A redness appears, often with severe itching or even burning. The evolution can be done towards the appearance of a fissure, which can be painful, small blisters (vesicles) can be visible.

Evolution

If left untreated, foot fungus can spread to all the toes. The infection can also reach the top or bottom of the foot at the level of the soles of the feet which become thick, scaly (appearance called mealy). The nails of the feet can be affected, thicken, whiten initially then turn yellow or even blacken and become brittle. The attack can extend to other localizations on the skin (palm of the hands if manipulation, other folds..) This cutaneous mycosis can be the gateway to more severe bacterial infection (erysipelas, affecting the leg, with fever, pain).

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The different types of treatment and recipes

Medications for yeast infection can be taken as gels, creams, sprays or tablets. "Hygiene measures are essential in the treatment of fungal infections of the feet: wash the feet well with soap and water, dry the areas between the toes in particular, with a cold hairdryer if the passage of the towel is painful, then apply the prescribed treatment and respect the prescribed duration, which varies according to the molecule used", recalls Dr Clélia Vanhaecke. Ventilation of the lesions as much as possible is recommended (limit the wearing of closed shoes).

Natural treatment

Baking soda is excellent for treating foot fungus. Just dilute 4 tablespoons of bicarbonate in powder form in 1L of warm water and bathe your feet in it for 15 minutes. Then, it is important to dry them well in order to eliminate moisture.

Several essential oils also provide considerable help in the fight against foot mycosis thanks to their antifungal properties. For example, those of tea tree (or "tea tree"), lavender and Atlas cedar have these properties. Each of these oils can be mixed with sweet almond oil and applied directly to the affected area with a few drops.

"We must avoid wearing closed shoes all the time."

Some natural recipes

GRAPEFRUIT SEED EXTRACT

Grapefruit seed extract, often abbreviated as EPP, is a natural active ingredient that is also essential in the natural fight against foot and nail fungus because it is antibacterial and antifungal.

Choose a grapefruit extract dosed at 1200mg and simply apply a few drops to the areas to be treated. EPP can completely complement the action of palmarosa and tea tree essential oils mentioned earlier in this article.

If foot fungus is accompanied by dry flaking and cracking, it is possible to moisturize the skin of the feet with coconut oil which is also a natural antifungal.

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GREEN CLAY POTATO

Nail fungus is first manifested by the formation of a spot on the nail. When they evolve for a long time, they are responsible for a detachment and deformation of the latter.

It is therefore not enough to act on microscopic fungi using antifungal active ingredients, but it is also necessary to help the nail to repair itself. It is in this sense that green clay, applied as a poultice, can be of great help. Absorbent helps the nail to get rid of fungal toxins and, rich in minerals, it provides the necessary support to the nail in its regeneration process.

Make a thick paste with clay powder or use a ready-made green clay paste. Apply a large dab of it in a fairly thick layer on the diseased nail then protect it with a gauze pad and a plaster. Leave on overnight before rinsing in the morning and renew the poultice every night for at least a month. Results guaranteed!

Prevention

It is possible to prevent this type of mycoses by adopting the right gestures: dry your feet well, especially between the toes, limit the wearing of closed shoes, avoid walking barefoot in the changing rooms of sports halls, swimming pools, etc. It is also advisable to wash your shoes/slippers, treat any other areas affected by a yeast infection, and watch out for foot injuries.

Advice

If, in general, fungal infections of the feet are not dangerous, they are however unpleasant and stubborn. And since there is no hope of spontaneous healing, it is better to regularly monitor your feet, especially the spaces between your toes. "We must avoid wearing closed shoes all the time, insists the specialist. This monitoring must be even more rigorous in people suffering from diabetes, as foot mycosis can evolve, in this case, into serious chronic wounds and lead to amputation."

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Written and edited by DJIMA Rachidatou on 02/25/2022

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