Got Athlete's Foot or Nail Fungus?
Our feet work hard for us but they can also be an indication when there is an issue with our health.
For example, always be aware if you consistently have cold toes, you have a cut on your toe that refuses to heal or your feet and ankles swell up. Such symptoms should be investigated by your medical practitioner.
But there are other clues to look out for too...
Fungal infections
One of the most common infections is Athlete's foot and can occur in those people whose feet have become very sweaty while confined within tight-fitting shoes.
Further signs and symptoms of athlete's foot include an itchy, scaly rash. The condition is contagious and can be spread via contaminated floors, towels or clothing.
Another fungal infection is nail fungus which can include:
- Fingernail fungus
- Toenail fungus
- Dermatophytes, Onychomycosis and Yeast (Candida)
Shoes that cannot breathe and are damp or wet will encourage fungus to start or spread. Be careful of damp areas such as public gyms, shower stalls or swimming pools as toe nail fungus can be spread easily.
Diet plays an important role in eliminating fungal conditions. Include more probiotics in the diet such while reducing or eliminating sugar, dairy products and vinegar. Always be careful to dry your hands and feet after washing, bathing or showering.
H-Nail Fungus Formula uses established homeopathic ingredients and pure essential oils to tackle the symptoms of nail fungus on the fingernails and toenails. It works by reducing the fungus in the nail bed and restoring your finger nails and/or toenails to their former healthy appearance.
Cracked heels may cause discomfort when going barefoot but cracks in the heels can sometimes become very deep and cause pain. When the sensitive skin on the bottom of the feet and heels becomes too dry, it can split open, leaving painful cracks called fissures on your heels. Those cracks may not only make it painful to walk but can also lead to serious infections.
While these cracks are usually caused by extreme dryness. there are several reasons why cracked heels occur:
- Cold winter weather
- Dehydration, or not drinking enough water
- Not moisturizing your feet
- Taking very hot baths or showers
- Soaking in a hot bath for too long or too frequently
- Using harsh, drying soaps on your feet
- Scrubbing feet dry
- Going barefoot or wearing sandals or flip flops
The two biggest risk factors for cracked heels are diabetes and obesity. Those with diabetes are even more likely to sustain an infection from cracked heels while obesity increases your chances of having cracked heels because there is extra weight on the heel pad, causing it to expand out further - and dry skin is unable to handle the added pressure and cracks.
Apply H-Cracked Heels Formula to the affected area and cover with socks overnight. The formula will spend the time penetrating deep into the skin, helping to effectively moisturize while simultaneously reducing the dryness, cracking and pain associated with cracked feet.
Gout
The main sign of gout is a red and angry looking big toe, The skin around the to may hot and swollen and cause sudden severe pain.
An attack of gout usually lasts five to seven days before improving. While it may not cause lasting damage to joints, you should seek treatment for this form of arthritis.
Gout is caused by too much uric acid which forms crystals at the joints leading to the pain and swelling.
SOURCES:
A Complete Guide to Managing Gout (zocdoc.com)
AskMayoExpert. Fungal nail infection (onychomycosis). Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2017.
Nail care. Natural Medicines. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com/databases/medical-conditions/n/nail-care.aspx. (Accessed August 17, 2021).
Written by Jane Chitty
Jane writes for Healing Natural Oils, a producer and retailer of high-quality, all-natural treatments for a variety of conditions as well as a range of beauty products. Apart from writing about those various conditions, she also covers general health, environmental and other subjects of interest. She has lived in Kenya as well as Cape Town, South Africa and spent time in San Diego, USA. She now lives in Somerset, England with regular visits from her far-flung children and grandchildren. She is a keen gardener and enjoys growing fresh fruit and vegetables with her husband on their joint allotment. As a result, there is something available to use in the kitchen virtually all year round. Her regular posts can be found on our blog.