Athlete's foot is a common fungal infection of the feet that many people experience. When athlete's foot occurs, it can cause a lot of discomfort. There are many treatment methods for athlete's foot, but did you know that soaking your feet can also help alleviate the problem? Let me tell you about the secrets of foot soaking, the causes of athlete's foot, and the dangers of athlete's foot.
Foot Soaking Secrets
Using the following methods to soak your feet can effectively treat athlete's foot. How exactly? Let's take a look.
Chives Soak
Take a suitable amount of chives, wash and chop them. Add them to boiling water, let the water cool down, and soak your feet. At the same time, massage and scrub the affected areas with your hands for about 30 minutes.
Radish Soak
Wash and slice a white radish, boil it in water, and use it to soak your feet. This can effectively eliminate foot odor and have a good effect on treating athlete's foot.
Sichuan Pepper Salt Soak
Take 10g of Sichuan pepper and 20g of salt, boil them in water until warm, soak and wash your feet for 20 minutes every day, continue for 7 days. This method is particularly effective for treating athlete's foot, but should be used with caution for those who already have ulcer infections.
Vinegar Soak
Take 250g of Polygonatum odoratum and 2000g of vinegar, soak for 3 days and 3 nights (without heating or adding water), then soak your feet. Soak for 3 hours the first time, 2 hours the second time, and 1 hour the third time; soak for a total of 3 days.
Salt Ginger Soak
Wash and slice fresh ginger, boil it in water, let it cool down, and soak your feet. Massage at the same time. This method can not only treat athlete's foot, but also relax the body and relieve fatigue.
Soybean Soak
Take 150g of soybeans, wash and grind them, boil them in water, simmer on low heat for 20 minutes, let it cool down, and soak your feet. This can be used to treat symptoms of peeling caused by athlete's foot.
There are many causes of athlete's foot, and they vary for different people. Let's take a closer look.
Causes of Athlete's Foot
1. The main cause is Tinea Pedis
In general, the main culprit causing athlete's foot is bacteria on the feet, mainly including red trichophyton, pink trichophyton, plaster-like trichophyton, and so on. These bacteria can decompose the skin's metabolites, but during the decomposition process, they produce a foul odor.
2. The formation of athlete's foot is also related to keratin
From a professional perspective, the keratin protein in the cornified layer of the feet is a nutrient for fungal growth. Under the moisturizing effect of sweat, it is more conducive to the growth of bacteria. In such an environment, bacteria can multiply exponentially, making it difficult to prevent athlete's foot.
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3. The role of enclosed space
Many people have had the experience of taking off their shoes when eating Japanese cuisine and sitting on tatami mats. However, for some people, taking off their shoes naturally results in a strong odor. This is because our feet are wrapped in shoes all day long, and shoes are enclosed spaces. If the shoes have poor ventilation and cannot quickly absorb sweat, it becomes a breeding ground for athlete's foot. Therefore, when choosing shoes and socks, many people hope to choose ones that are ventilated and breathable.
4. The formation of athlete's foot is also related to a humid environment
We have all had the experience of getting wet in the rain during the plum rain season, and if our shoes get wet, it can ruin our mood. However, for bacteria, they love this kind of environment. In a damp and warm environment, bacteria are more likely to multiply. Compared to other parts of the body, the soles of the feet have a sweat frequency two to three times higher. When sweat, moisture, salt, lactic acid, and urea combine, it's not surprising that our feet are prone to athlete's foot.
Athlete's foot is very painful for many people, especially when the feet itch and scratching doesn't help. Athlete's foot affects various aspects of our lives. Let's understand more.
Dangers of Athlete's Foot
1. Athlete's foot affects the quality of life
During an athlete's foot outbreak, the unbearable itching makes people want to constantly scratch, making them feel uncomfortable all over. It affects their mood, making it difficult to concentrate on work. Some patients can't sleep at night, leading to a decrease in their quality of life. When athlete's foot is severe, it emits a strong odor, making people reluctant to wear sandals or go to public places, especially places where shoes need to be taken off. People often avoid these situations, causing many men and women to feel self-conscious and depressed.
2. It can spread to other family members
Since athlete's foot is highly contagious, mixing and washing family members' clothing or placing them together can become a way of spreading athlete's foot. If not treated promptly, it can easily lead to hand fungus, nail fungus, body fungus, etc. Women may also develop vaginal infections. This can then spread to the entire family, posing a serious threat to their normal family life and social interactions.
3. It can spread to other parts of the body
Athlete's foot is contagious, and if other parts of the body or hands come into contact with the affected area, it can easily be infected. If athlete's foot spreads to the hands, it becomes "hand fungus," and if it spreads to the body, it can cause "body fungus." Therefore, it is important to avoid contact between the body or hands and the feet to prevent infection.
4. Severe athlete's foot can be life-threatening
Treating the symptoms of athlete's foot is essential. If left untreated, severe athlete's foot can endanger one's health and safety. What are the effects of athlete's foot? Some patients, due to long-term untreated athlete's foot, may develop cellulitis, which can easily lead to acute lymphangitis, erysipelas, and cellulitis. This can cause immeasurable harm to the patient's life and the family's finances.
Conclusion: I believe you have gained some understanding of foot soaking methods for getting rid of athlete's foot. The causes of athlete's foot may be sweaty feet, the cornified layer, or failure to change shoes promptly after they get wet, among other reasons. When suffering from athlete's foot, it is important to differentiate between shoes and avoid infecting others in the family.
