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Medical pages:
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Medical: Foot Pain - Athletes Foot, Ugly Nails, Burning
Fungal Infections
The most common fungal skin infection, which is also called ringworm because of its characteristic appearance
of ring or rounded tunnel under the skin, is the tinea. Tinea infections affect the head, body, groin, feet,
and nails.
Athlete’s Foot (Tinea Pedis)
Tinea pedis, more popularly known as athlete’s foot, is the most common fungal infection. It is especially
prevalent in those who use communal showers or swimming pools.
Tinea pedis may appear as an acute or chronic infection on the soles of the feet or between the toes. The
toenail may also be involved. Lymphangitis and cellulites occur occasionally when bacterial “super infection”
occurs. Sometimes, a mixed infection involving fungi, bacteria, and yeast occurs.
Treatment: During the acute, vesicular phase, soaks of Burrow’s solution or potassium permanganate
solutions are used to remove the crusts, scales, and debris and to reduce the inflammation.
Topical anti-fungal agents, such as miconazole and clotrimazole, are applied to the infected areas. Topical
therapy is continued for several weeks because of the high rate of recurrence.
Medical Management:
Footwear provides a favorable environment for fungi, and the causative fungus may be in the shoes or socks.
Because moisture encourages the growth of fungi, the patient is instructed to keep the feet as dry as possible,
including the areas between the toes.
Small pieces of cotton can be placed between the toes at night to absorb moisture. Socks should be made of
cotton, and hosiery should have cotton feet, because cotton is an effective absorber of perspiration.
For people whose feet perspire excessively, perforated shoes permit better aeration of the feet. Plastic or
rubber-soled footwear should be avoided. Talcum powder or anti-fungal applied twice daily helps to keep the
feet dry. Several pairs of shoes should be alternated so that they can dry completely before being worn again.
Ugly Nail
Broken nails are ugly. Hangnails are ugly and painful. Ingrown nails are ugly and painful and potentially harmful.
And nail fungus is ugly and painful and potentially harmful and disgusting.
Some people are born with brittle, problem-prone nails. Others find that their nails start
acting up when they get older. But everyone can avoid problems if they do things right.
Assessing the Nails
A brief inspection of the nails includes observation of configuration, color, and consistency. Many alterations
in the nail or nail bed reflect local or systemic abnormalities in progress or resulting from past events.
Transverse depressions known as Beau’s lines in the nails may reflect retarded growth of the nail matrix because
of severe illness or, more commonly, local trauma. Ridging, hypertrophy, and other changes may also be visible
with local trauma.
Paronychia, an inflammation of the skin around the nail, is usually accompanied by tenderness and erythema. The
angle between the normal nail and its base is 160 degrees. When palpated, the nail base is usually firm.
To treat ugly nails, you should try using innovative products such as “medicated” nail polish. It contains
natural “antiseptic moisturizer” that facilitates the eradication of many classifications of bacterial
organisms and fungus.
You can also use nail treatments with specially formulated anti-fungal solutions to help eliminate fungal
infections.
Burning Feet
Burning feet is another type of foot ailment, wherein people experience a burning sensation, usually during
the night. This ailment is common on people age 50 years and above. However, it can also
happen to the younger generation.
There are many causes of burning feet, but the most common causative factors are overweight, neuropathy on
diabetic patients, blood disorders, shoe and sock sizes, erythromelagia, and blood disorders, such as
pernicious anemia.
There are no easy ways to treat burning feet. Hence, it is important for the patient to visit a rheumatologist,
a podiatrist, or a neurologist. A series of tests and examinations will be conducted in order to come up with
solid diagnostic findings about the disorder.
All of these things are boil down to the fact that keeping your feet in good condition means proper
protection against the elements.
An extra investment may be required, but in the end, the comfort and reduced risk of complications will
be well worth the added expense.
NEXT: Ingrown Nails, Cracked Heels, Gout
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