Footcare

Athlete’s foot
Athlete’s foot is a common fungal infection often found between the toes; however it can spread to the rest of the foot and sometimes to other parts of the body.
A number of conditions cause athlete’s foot such as sweaty feet, wearing tight shoes and wearing socks that don’t absorb moisture. In order to prevent athlete’s foot it is extremely important to dry your feet properly after washing and swimming.
Athlete’s foot is contagious via skin to skin contact and indirectly if one uses the same towel as a person with the condition.

The symptoms of Athlete’s foot are:
• An itchy, red rash, which often starts in between the 4th and 5th toes, before spreading to the other toes.
• Scaling or cracking of the skin may occur.
• Blisters can occur. If these burst, they can cause pain & swelling.

To prevent Athlete’s foot:
• Wash your feet daily & ensure you dry them properly, paying particular attention to between the toes.
• After drying put anti-fungal powder on your feet.
• Wear socks made of adsorbent fibres such as cotton
• Change your socks daily or change them if they become damp.
• Wear waterproof sandals/socks in public showers and pools.
• Avoid wearing tight shoes, or shoes made of synthetic material, such as runners. If you do wear runners, always wear cotton socks with them.
• When the weather is hot and humid, give your feet plenty of ventilation by wearing perforated shoes or sandals.
• Air shoes at night and if possible don’t wear the same shoes every day.
• Remember feet are meant to be aired on a daily basis and especially at night.
• If somebody in your family has a foot ailment, do not share clothes or towels with them, and make sure possibly contaminated areas, such as the bathroom floor or the shower, are regularly washed in hot, soapy water.

Fungal nail infections
People with diabetes are more prone to fungal nails so it is important to recognise and known how to prevent the condition.
Most fungal nail infections are caused when fungi get under the nail following an injury such as dropping something heavy on your foot, stubbing your toe or trimming nails too closely.
Fungal nail infections are more common in toenails than finger nails because shoes and socks create warm moist environments that help fungi to grow. Wearing too tight fitting shoes can also weaken the nail and expose the nail bed to infection. Like athlete’s foot, fungal nail infections are contagious, something as simple as an emery board can spread the infection.

The symptoms of fungal nail infections:
• Discolouration – nail may become yellowish/greyish in colour.
• Loss of shine
• Thickening
• Distortion of nail shape
• Crumbling of the nails
• Debris being trapped under the nail
• Sore, tender nails
• Lack of growth
• Loosing (detaching) of the nail

To prevent fungal nail infections :
Follow the points to prevent athlete’s foot as well as:
• Don’t share shoes, nail clippers or emery boards
• Use sterile manicure and pedicure instruments
• Don’t apply polish to nails that may be infected
• Wash and dry hands thoroughly after contact with any fungal infection to prevent spreading the infection

Warts (Verrucae)
Warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and are referred to as verrucae when they appear on the foot. They can appear anywhere on the foot but are usually found on the soles where they can be very painful.

Recognising a verruca:
• The verruca usually starts as a small pink area that can be speckled with black dots (unlike a callus).
• As the verruca ages it may turn a brownish colour with a rough crumbly surface which can sometimes be covered with hard skin.
• Verrucae can spread and form groups of growths on the same foot, each with its own centre.
 
Over the counter remedies to treat verrucae should not be used by people with diabetes, it is best to see a state registered podiatrist.

To prevent verrucae:
Again follow the points to prevent athlete’s foot paying particular attention to:
• Wear waterproof sandals/socks in public showers and pools.
• If somebody in your family has a foot ailment, do not share clothes or towels with them, and make sure possibly contaminated areas, such as the bathroom floor or the shower, are regularly washed in hot, soapy water.