Frank's Advice on Foot Problems
Monday, 06 July 2009 00:00
SUMMER is well and truly here and the hot weather means most of us are doing off our feet in summer sandals or flip flops. But before you bare all make sure your feet look and feel their best.
Two of the most common foot problems are athlete’s foot and verrucae (plantar warts). Pharmacist Frank Randall of Murrays chemists gives his top tips on keeping your feet healthy this summer:
Athlete’s Foot
This is caused by a fungal infection between the smaller toes of the feet. If left untreated it can spread to the rest of the feet and to moist, warm areas such as the groin.
Symptoms: A rash develops that is itchy and scaly, and the skin can become cracked and sore. Tiny flakes of skin from this rash are infected by the fungal spore and spread to other parts of the body and to other people.
Treatment: Ask your pharmacist for a suitable anti-fungal preparation. Creams, powders and sprays are available but I would recommend a cream or gel, applied to the infected area and its surrounding including nails if necessary. Continue the treatment for at least a week after the rash has cleared up.
Prevention: The best thing, of course, is not to pick up Athlete’s Foot in the first place. A few tips to help prevention are:
1. Wash feet and toes daily, drying thoroughly especially between the toes (wet soggy skin is prone to fungal infection).
2. In hot weather wear cotton socks, change them daily and alternate your shoes every two to three days to stop them drying out.
3. Use Tea Tree cream or an anti-fungal powder as a preventive and always keep your feet away from wet floors using swim socks, flip flops or other suitable footwear. If in doubt ask your pharmacist!
4. Socks and infected clothes should be cleansed with a suitable disinfectant in the washing water.
Verrucae (or Plantar Warts)
These are caused by the virus that forms warts on the hands and fingers, and usually occur on the sole of the foot. They usually are a different colour than the surrounding skin and have little black dots in them which distinguishes them from corns
Treatment: Your Pharmacist can recommend a cream or ointment to apply to the verruca. You have to be careful with these as they are quite strong and have to be used correctly.
Preparations containing a herb called Thuja can be effective. Also there is a preparation available which can freeze the verruca, ask your pharmacist for details.
Another treatment, which could take longer, is to continually cover the verruca with an impermeable plaster to cut off the external air supply. This will eventually cause the verruca to degenerate and disappear.
Prevention: This is the same as for Athlete’s Foot, especially using a barrier while in a communal bathing area such as changing rooms and swimming baths. Swim Socks are the best for this. Verrucae are very infectious and can be passed on very easily.
