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Tinea pedis
What should I do if I have severe athlete's foot?
The so-called athlete's foot, also known as tinea pedis, is an infection caused by dermatophyte fungi. It requires symptomatic antifungal treatment, enhanced cleaning of the foot skin, frequent changing of shoes and socks, keeping the feet dry, and oral antifungal medication. Before taking the medication, it is necessary to test liver and kidney function and peripheral blood count. If there are no contraindications to medication, drugs such as oral terbinafine hydrochloride tablets and itraconazole dispersible tablets may be prescribed, along with topical antifungal medications like naftifine ketoconazole cream, luliconazole cream, or miconazole cream applied to the affected area. The treatment should follow the principle of adequate dosage and duration. Typically, the course of treatment needs to last three weeks or more to achieve a complete cure. (Please follow the doctor's orders when using medication.)
What is athlete's foot?
Beri-beri, also known as vitamin B1 deficiency disease. Vitamin B1 is an essential nutrient required by the human body, involved in several important biochemical reactions and crucial for energy metabolism within the body. Deficiency in vitamin B1 can lead to a range of abnormal symptoms in the nervous system and muscles. In adults, early symptoms of vitamin B1 deficiency include weakness and a heavy feeling in the lower limbs, muscle soreness, particularly noticeable in the calf muscles. These are also important early signs for the detection of beri-beri, which are typical manifestations. Additionally, beri-beri may also present with loss of appetite, weight loss, digestive disorders, and constipation. There are generally two types of beri-beri: dry beri-beri and wet beri-beri. Dry beri-beri primarily involves neurological symptoms, chiefly abnormal sensations, numbness, and a burning pain in the hands and feet. Wet beri-beri, on the other hand, is mainly characterized by edema and cardiac symptoms.
Is infant thrush related to athlete's foot?
Infant thrush and athlete's foot are not highly related. Thrush is an oral infectious disease caused by Candida albicans infection, while athlete's foot is a local superficial skin fungal infection caused by fungi such as Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes. The pathogens of the two are different and are not related. Thrush is a common oral infectious disease in infants and young children, mostly due to poor immune function in children, lack of oral hygiene, incomplete sterilization of bottles and pacifiers, or contact with children suffering from thrush.
Athlete's foot is due to a lack of which vitamin?
Athlete's foot is a disease caused by fungal infection, and it is not related to the lack of vitamins or trace elements. Once infected with athlete's foot, it must be treated formally. Generally, the use of antifungal creams, such as naftifine and ketoconazole ointment applied continuously, can cure it. The duration of medication must be long, at least more than one month, or until symptoms completely disappear, and then continue using it for about half a month afterwards, which can basically achieve the purpose of eradication. However, this disease is highly contagious. Shoes and socks that have been worn must be sun-dried and disinfected. Foot towels and foot basins should be used separately from family members to avoid infecting them. Therefore, once athlete's foot occurs, it must be treated promptly. Avoid going to public baths and wearing shared slippers to prevent re-infection. (Under the guidance of a doctor when using medication)
Will having athlete's foot cause an infection during a water birth?
Giving birth in water does not increase the risk of infection; in fact, the rate of newborns carrying bacteria significantly decreases when birth occurs in water. The reason is that water can wash off the bacteria on the baby's body, and the birth takes place in a special tub where the water is flowing and free of bacteria. Before the birth, the doctor will disinfect the mother. In current practices, liquids are generally used to inhibit the growth of pathogens, so infections like athlete's foot are generally not caused during childbirth.
How can severe athlete's foot be treated to eliminate it completely?
Athlete's foot is a disease caused by fungal infection, where most patients can be completely cured with routine treatment. However, some patients do not treat it normally or use non-standard medications, which can exacerbate the condition and may even lead to symptoms such as erosion and exudation. When experiencing severe athlete's foot, topical medications are still necessary, such as Naftifine Ketoconazole Cream, which needs to be applied to the entire sole or between the toes. In addition, it is appropriate to combine some oral antifungal medications, such as Itraconazole capsules. The combined treatment of oral medication and topical drugs tends to be more effective. When treating this disease with oral medication, liver function must be normal. If transaminases are elevated, oral medications should not be taken. If oral medications cannot be taken, some traditional Chinese medicines can be used for foot soaks, such as decoctions of Sophora flavescens and Phellodendron amurense, which have a supportive therapeutic effect.
What does it mean if there is fluid in athlete's foot?
Athlete's foot, also known as tinea pedis, commonly manifests in three types: vesicular, hyperkeratotic, and intertriginous. The vesicular type is characterized by blistering and scaling, typically occurring on the tips of the fingers, the palms, and the sides of the feet. Initially, the skin lesions appear as small, scattered blisters the size of a pinhead. The blister fluid is clear, and the blister walls are relatively thick. These blisters can cluster and merge to form larger blisters, eventually losing their walls to expose a honeycomb-like base and a raw, eroded surface. After several days, the blisters can dry out and flake off. As the condition progresses and exudation increases, it can develop into the intertriginous type, which primarily affects the web spaces between the fingers or toes. It is more common in people who sweat excessively, soak their feet in water, or wear rubber shoes for extended periods, particularly during the summer. The skin becomes soaked and appears whitish, with a soft surface that peels off easily, revealing a moist red eroded area with exudate, often accompanied by cracking and significant itching. When secondary bacterial infection occurs, there is typically an odor. If not promptly controlled, it can lead to secondary infections, producing pustules and ulcers, and may also lead to acute lymphangitis, lymphadenitis, cellulitis, or erysipelas. In severe or recurrent cases, it can also induce local eczematous changes and disseminated dermatophytosis.
Does soaking feet in salt and white vinegar cure athlete's foot?
Athlete's foot is caused by a fungal infection, and soaking feet in salt and white vinegar does not have a special therapeutic effect on it. Although it can relieve itching or local bacteria on the foot surface, it is ineffective against fungi. Currently, the most effective treatment for athlete's foot is the application of antifungal creams, such as naftifine ketoconazole ointment. Generally, the medication needs to be applied continuously for at least one month, or until the symptoms have completely disappeared, followed by an additional half a month of medication to completely kill the deep-seated fungi and prevent the condition from recurring. Be sure to use separate foot basins or towels at home to avoid cross-infection among family members. Do not indiscriminately share slippers and try to avoid wading in dirty water on rainy days. Always sun-dry shoes and socks at home to disinfect them.
Is peeling skin on the feet without itchiness athlete's foot?
Peeling skin on the feet without itching is associated with hyperkeratotic athlete's foot, commonly found on the palms, toes, and heels where the skin is dry. The thickening of the stratum corneum is evident, with a rough surface, scaling, and deepened skin grooves. In winter, cracks and even bleeding might occur, and it can be painful. This type of athlete's foot generally does not have obvious itching symptoms. In addition to the hyperkeratotic type, common types of athlete's foot include the vesicular and the macerated type, both of which are notably itchy. The vesicular type typically occurs on fingertips, palms, soles, and sides of the feet. Initially, the lesions are small, deep blisters with clear fluid and thick walls that are not easily ruptured. Blisters can be scattered or clustered, and may merge into larger blisters. Removing the blister wall can expose a honeycomb-like base and a bright red eroded surface. The disease progress spreads to surrounding areas, stabilizing primarily with scaling and significant itching. The macerated type occurs frequently between toes, especially in people with sweaty hands and feet, those who are exposed to water often, or who regularly wear rubber shoes. It occurs more often in summer and is associated with noticeable itching. If a bacterial infection occurs secondary to this condition, a foul odor can also be present.
Can mugwort ash treat athlete's foot?
Mugwort ash actually cannot help cure athlete's foot, but if you soak your feet in mugwort ash or mugwort over a long period of time, it can significantly help improve the condition. This is because soaking in hot water accelerates local metabolism and promotes blood circulation, thereby effectively relieving and improving the condition. Mugwort itself can achieve the purpose of relieving itchiness and dispelling dampness, which can significantly help in conditioning the body and providing relief. For cases of athlete's foot, it is necessary to manage it through regular physical exercise or daily foot soaks.