Get Rid of Athlete's Foot - Learn How to Totally Cure Athlete's Foot

You don’t have to be a sports figure to have athlete's foot. It's a condition that will plague you if the environment in your feet is ideal for the micro-organisms that cause it. Athlete's foot is a name given to the itchy lesions that appear in feet, often found between the toes. It's a very bothersome condition and it is important to cure athlete’s foot immediately. If you have athlete's foot and want to get rid of it, here are some important things you must know to cure athlete’s foot:

What causes athlete's foot?

To cure and get rid of athlete's foot or tinea pedis means understanding what it is and what causes it. The culprit in this case is fungi, which normally lives on our skin. They are usually harmless, but when there are changes in the skin's environment that encourages fungi to grow, this often results to fungal infections such as athlete's foot.

What does athlete's foot look like?

Athlete's foot begins as a scaly, flaky patch of skin that is very itchy. Scratching it will not stop the itch and may sometimes aggravate the discomfort. If left untreated, skin may crack and blisters may appear which expose the tissue underneath. The affected area may become inflamed and painful.

Is athlete's foot found in other areas of the body other than the feet?

The fungus that causes athlete's foot can infect other parts of the body like the knees, groin, elbows, armpits and even the feet. Once it moves to another part of the body, it's no longer called athlete's foot. If it settles in the groin area, for example, it will be known as jock itch and its medical term will be tinea cruris.

How do I cure athlete's foot?

If you already have athlete's foot, your first line of defense to cure athlete’s foot should be medications with antifungal properties. To cure athlete’s foot, your doctor will most probably prescribe topical creams and ointments that contain miconazole, clotrimazole, terbinafine or itraconazole. These creams are usually applied two or three times a day on clean feet to cure athlete’s foot. If infection has already started because of the exposed flesh, your doctor might also prescribe antibiotics to prevent further damage.

Take the recommended dosage and make sure you complete the full course of treatment to cure athlete’s foot. A common mistake among athlete's foot sufferers is that they stop treatment just after the itching and inflammation disappear. Just because you don't see them doesn’t mean the fungi are destroyed. It usually takes about two weeks for the symptoms to disappear so you'll have to keep using the medication for another week or so to complete the treatment. If the condition is severe, treatment can even take about 45 days or longer.

What can I do to totally cure athlete’s foot?

To completely cure athlete's foot, you must prevent the fungus responsible from acting up again. This type of fungus prefers warm, moist environments so it's important to keep your feet dry as much as possible, especially the area between the toes. Change your socks daily and wash your socks and beddings in 60C water.

Athlete's foot can transfer from one individual to another. If you have it, don't share your shoes, flip-flops, towels or clothes to anyone else. Keep athlete's foot at bay by not borrowing personal items from others. Wear rubber sandals in bathrooms, changing rooms and swimming pools. Prevent sweaty feet by using antifungal powders, creams or sprays. Wear socks made of natural fiber such as cotton to help absorb moisture.


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Imagine how it will be when...

  • You're completely pain free - walking without wincing... able to do a full workout or run without any trouble at all... standing (comfortably!) on your feet for as long as you want.
  • You're not itching or squirming with discomfort - instead you're able to focus on your work... your family... or your intimate relationships.
  • You don't think twice about going barefoot or wearing sandals... the unsightly swelling, the ugly calluses, or awful looking dry, cracked skin has vanished - leaving your feet smooth and blemish free.
  • You go through your day at ease and happy, not grumpy and irritable because your feet are aching (or burning, or itching, or just plain sore) and you're trying to hide it.
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Curing Foot Arch Pain

Are you one of those people who are said to be flatfooted? Having a flat foot is a condition where the foot does not have a normal arch. You may find it affects just one or both feet. The arch is the gap between the inner side of the foot and the ground when standing up. There are many people who have very low arches and some who have no arches and are termed flat-footed.

There are various symptoms associated with the condition, with the number dependent on the severity of the condition. Some sufferers develop corns and hard skin under the sole of their feet and the arch area can also become tender. Most flat-footed individuals tend go through shoes pretty quickly. In extreme cases some patients may experience calf, knee, hip and back pains.

What causes flat feet?
Flat-footedness may be hereditary so check your family history. It may also be the result of abnormal walking conditions caused by incorrect development of the foot.

A ruptured tendon may also cause flat-footedness. Cerebral palsy, spina bifida and muscular dystrophy can also result in a flat foot condition. Suffering from flat feet can lead directly to arch pain.

Some ways to treat flat footedness include:
- Wearing wider size shoes
- Never self-treat secondary lesions
- Buy high quality insoles to take the pressure and pain away from the arch.

Traditionally, insoles (also called orthotics) are plastic inserts that are placed inside the shoe. The insert cups the heel as well supports the arch, but since they aren’t flexible they don’t extend along the full length of the foot. These types of insoles are uncomfortable and ineffective for most flat-footed persons.

Although, older style insoles forced the arch into its correct position they didn’t relieve the pressure that was forcing the arch to collapse. This is the reason why new and better flexible insoles were created. Theses new breed of insoles are incredibly supportive and provide a stable treatment for flat-footed patients. But before buying insoles it would be best to consult your doctor to discuss what type of insoles are right for your unique situation.

What is arch pain?
Arch pain refers to inflammation or a burning sensation right in the arch area of the foot. The plantar fascia, a broad band of fibrous tissue found at the bottom of the foot may become inflamed leading to arch pain.
The treatments for arch pain include avoiding high-heeled shoes, and trying some high quality insoles to remove pressure (and pain) from the arch.

An best insole for arch pain is one that offers foot support and helps correct posture and body mechanics. These types of soles are intended to prevent foot strain and injury. It also keeps feet from rolling inward, which can result in the entire lower body being out of alignment. Moreover, these types of soles cure the underlying cause of arch pain and help to restore the natural arch of the foot.

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Common Causes of Foot Pain

Your feet bear the weight of your entire body for an estimated 8,000 steps per day. Foot pain can be one of the most troublesome, most disruptive problems you can have. Here are some of the most common causes of foot pain.

Blisters and Bunions
Two of the most common causes of foot pain are blisters and bunions. Blisters are the result of rubbing and irritation of the skin. Ill-fitting shoes are often blamed for causing this type of foot pain.

The remedy for blisters depends on whether you have pain or not. If the blister isn’t painful, leave it be. But if you find it interferes with running or walking then you can remove it, but you need to be careful to avoid infection.

Here’s how to do it
1. Sterilize a needle in an open flame (take care!)
2. Wipe the blister with an antiseptic swab to remove lingering bacteria
3. Pierce the blister, the skin is dead so you wont feel a thing
4. Gently press any fluid out and pat the area dry
5. Gently wipe the area again using antiseptic and let it dry
6. Cover the open area of the blister with a plaster.

Corns
Another troublesome foot problem is corns. Corns are hard, painful lumps that usually appear on the skin and are another result of the continuous rubbing and pressure from tight fitting shoes.

Toenail Issues
Black toenail is called this because the toenail becomes black and painful. This condition is caused by repeated pressure and impact on the toenail, often from downhill activities like running or skiing. When you do this often enough, your toe keeps banging into the end of the shoe or boot. This causes bleeding under the nail and is why your nail turns black. The best cause of action if this occurs is to visit your doctor.

Thick toenail gets its name because the nail is thicker than usual ranging from ½ to ¾ inches. Thick toenails are the result of repeated trauma or injury. The extra thickness, plus the pressure of shoes on the nail, makes for quite a painful foot problem.

Swelling under the ball of the big toe
This painful condition is the result of bruising of the tiny sesamoids bones located under the ball of the big toe. This bruising is a warning before damage occurs to the bones of the big toe. Sesamoids can be diagnosed by pressing hard on the head of your big toe with your thumb — if you feel pain then you may well have bruised your tiny bones. Talk with your doctor to help decide what you need to do next.

Bunions
A bunion is formed when swelling occurs near the bone of the big toe and sticks out to the side. A bunion is not really a problem unless it becomes tender or painful. If this happens, see your doctor to discuss your treatment options.

Too much weight or shoe pressure is often the cause of bunions. What usually happens is that the big toe tends to overlap with the second toe — this causes a problem of weight distribution. The ball on the big toe grows larger possibly due to rigorous pounding especially when running.

Hammertoes are a condition where your toes (maybe just a single toe, but never the big toe) are not correctly positioned. But with great effort you might be able to straighten your toes. Hammertoes can cause pain in the top of the toes, especially during running.

Pain under the three outside toes
This kind of pain flares especially when you press under the three smallest toes. This pain usually only effects runners as it’s caused by landing too hard on this area of the foot when running. As a result, your foot begins building a cushion called a bursa to protect the area. Bursitis pain is actually an indication that the bursa is getting irritated. As an initial measure try relieving the pressure with some foot pads.

Burning between the toes (neuromas)
A neuroma is a collection of nerve endings (usually between the 3rd and 4th toe) where their coverings have become inflamed. There is a burning sensation that’s like an electric tingling or shooting pain; accompanied by numbness. Even though there is no swelling or lumps, the pain can be pretty bad.

This is very common to people who have a condition known as loose foot where there is too much movement between the metatarsals and the bones that connect to the toes.

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How to Reduce Foot Pain

Metatarsal stress fractures or a bone spur can cause pain at the top of the foot. A bone spur is an enlarged bone that looks like a bump on top of the foot. The bone spur is likely the result of too much pressure or too tight shoes.

The most common remedy for bone spurs involves wearing a larger size shoe and not tying shoelaces quite so tight so that you take some of the pressure off the bone. Remember, feet swell when running long distances. If you’re a runner, you might want to cut a piece of foam rubber about ¼ tick to make a doughnut-shaped pad that will fit over the bone spur. Put it on before you run, or glue it to the tongue of your running shoe.

You can also reduce the pain of bone spurs by keeping your weight under control. You should also try to minimize the shock to the feet from constant pounding on hard surfaces. Choose footwear with some padding or shock-absorbing materials.

A bone spur or overgrowth that develops on top of the bone may prevent the bone from flexing as it should, especially when walking. This results to a stiff big toe also known as hallux rigidus.

Hallux rigidus commonly affects adults between 30 and 60. There are no good explanations as to why this condition happens to some and not others. But one theory suggests that hallux rigidus is the result of an injury to the toe that damages that articular cartilage.

The usual symptom of hallux rigidus is difficulty bending the toe up and down, especially when walking. This type of foot problem is easy to treat in its early stage. Waiting for the bone spur to appear on top of the foot will only make the condition more difficult to treat.

There are many non-surgical options for treating pain on the top of the foot. Using pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen can help to reduce the swelling and pain. Using ice packs or taking contrast baths may also reduce inflammation and control symptoms for short periods. These measures provide temporary relief, but are not enough to prevent the condition from developing further.

Wearing shoes with plenty of room at the toe may also help in reducing the pressure — and high heels are out I’m afraid. A shoe with a stiff sole, either with a rocker or roller bottom design and sometimes a steel shank or metal brace in the sole maybe required. For supporting the foot and reducing the bend of the big toe this type of shoe is excellent, especially when walking.

A contrast bath might also prove helpful. This technique involves putting your foot in first cold, then hot water to reduce inflammation. There are two buckets required, one bucket containing cold water and the other with hot water (at a tolerable temperature of course). Alternate between the cold and hot water for five minutes ending with a cold session. Surgical options may also be considered for severe foot problems.

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How to Relieve Foot Pain

What causes foot pain?
There are many factors that contribute to foot pain
- Wearing shoes that do not fit properly — causing calluses and bunions
- Obesity or being overweight increases chances of foot problems or injuries.

A great tip when buying shoes — buy them in the afternoon when feet are at their largest due to swelling. If you wear heels, no more than one inch is best.

Calluses are thickened layers of skin caused by repeated pressure or friction. These are usually seen on the top or side of a toe when shoes do not fit properly. A bunion is a condition where the big toe points toward the second toe. This causes a bump on the edge of the foot that may also appear on the joint of the big toe.

High-heeled, narrow shoes that push the big toe towards the second toe can cause bunions. The condition is seen mostly in women, and sometimes runs in families. Bunions can become painful when extra bone and accompanying fluid-filled sac start to develop at the base of the big toe.

Relieving foot pain

Water massage
There feet relieving pain procedures can be used for all kinds of foot pain. Baths of hot and cold water can be very helpful for reducing swelling and pain.

Here’s what you do:
1. Soak your foot for 5 minutes in cold water
2. Move the foot to a container of hot water of a tolerable temperature. The temperature of the water should not be cool or even lukewarm.
3. Soak the foot in the hot water for 5 minutes
4. Return to the cold water

This simple process invigorates the feet and opens and closes blood vessels. When you’re finished, use a moisturizing lotion to help massage the feet.

Ointments
There are some ointments, especially those made from capsaicin (interestingly, an active ingredient in hot peppers) that are excellent in relieving foot pain. The capsaicin helps in relieving the blaze caused by burning feet especially for diabetic individuals. Applying the ointment may cause burning sensations in some people but should not be a cause of alarm as this effect lessens over time.

Especially for diabetics, the effects of capsaicin ointment are remarkable. Many diabetics report greater improvement and were waling more easily compared to those using other brands of creams. Another advantage comes from the fact that since these ointments are applied onto the skin, there is less risk of side effects.

Break in new shoes carefully
New shoes often create some foot problems, especially if you use them for running or strenuous walking or hiking. Individuals with new shoes shouldn’t over exert or they may end up experiencing excruciating break-in pains.

Of course modern footwear has come a long way in terms of shoe development technology.

Stretching
Stretching out the calf can help reduce or relieve foot pain.

Try this:
1. Standing three feet away from a wall, place your hand on the wall.
2. Lean toward the wall, bringing one leg forward and bending at the elbows.
3. Keep your back leg straight with the heel on the floor and then gently stretch the calf muscle.
4. Repeat for the other foot
Stretches like this can help in relieving some of the tension in the feet.

Choose the appropriate shoe size and shapes
Choosing the right shoe size and shape is important when it comes to foot problems. You need to buy shoes that match the arch of your foot so you don’t put too much tension on your foot. Another tip? Shop for shoes in the afternoon, as feet tend to be larger at this time of day.

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Top Five Foot Heel Pain Remedies

Years of walking and running can wear down our feet, and can be hard on our heels. Likewise, poor circulation, improperly trimmed toenails, disease and tight fitting shoes all contribute to pain in the heel.

1. Massage with water
This treatment is ideal for any type of foot or heel pain and only needs a container of hot and cold water. Here’s what you do:

1. Soak your foot for 5 minutes in cold water
2. Move the foot to a container of hot water of a tolerable temperature. The temperature of the water should not be cool or even lukewarm.
3. Soak the foot in the hot water for 5 minutes
4. Return to the cold water

Repeat the procedure until the pain is gone. This process has a massaging effect that revitalizes feet by opening and closing blood vessels.

It is also a great idea to rub moisturizing lotion into your feet before getting into bed. The lotion makes feet easier to massage and therefore bring relief faster.

2. Put some heat on your feet
Using ointments enriched with capsaicin, an active natural ingredient in hot peppers also helps in relieving foot pain. These products are excellent in cooling the pain caused by burning feet particularly for diabetes patients. Initial application of the ointment may cause some burning sensation for many people, but when used regularly, the burning effect is likely to lessen.

Moreover, people who been using the capsaicin in treating their burning feet have experienced great improvement and were able to walk more easily compared to those using other types of creams. Best of all, since these are topical medicine, patients tend to avoid a lot of side effects that usually happen when taking pills.

Most ointments are available over the counter, however it is important to talk with your doctor before you begin, as this type of therapy is not right for everyone.

3. Avoid high-heeled shoes
For recreational walkers and runners it is important to temporarily lower how much you’re walking or running when you’re about to use brand new shoes. This will help you to eliminate many of the break-in pains. Advances in shoe development have made modern athletic footwear much less likely to cause a problem than ever before.

4. Stretch out your calf
Stretching the heel cord at the back of the foot can relieve heel pain.

Start by:
1. Standing three feet away from a wall, place your hand on the wall.
2. Lean in to the wall, bringing one leg forward and bending at the elbows.
3. Keep your back leg straight with the heel on the floor and then gently stretch the calf muscle.
4. Repeat for the other foot

5. Buy shoes that fit the shape of your feet
Shoe size is considered to be the most important aspect in buying shoes — but the shoe shape is equally important. You read it right; the shape of the shoe is also an important factor to consider.

There three basic foot shapes — curved, slightly curved and straight. Although, there may be some variations, generally those individuals with high arches need a curved shoe; those with flat feet need a straight shoe and those who have neither flat or high arches need a slight curve.

When buying running or walking shoes it is best to select shapes that fit the curve of the arch on the inner side of the foot.

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