Athlete's Foot Symptoms Oh The Agony Of The Feet by Jeff Foster

The ringworm fungus known as trichophyton is a beasty little creature and one that causes many people agony of the feet. The pain, itching, irritation and agony brought on by the ringworm fungus all leads to a case of wicked athlete's foot.

This little fungal infection can invade the skin of the feet causing them to itch, burn, peel and make you think you are going to go completely batty before you find relief from your athlete's foot.

Athlete's foot symptoms are fairly easy to spot but if you have never experienced it before, be sure to see your physician so that you can get an accurate initial diagnosis. athlete's foot is a health issue that once you experience it, you will remember the experience for your lifetime.
 

With athlete's foot, one of the initial symptoms is the intense itching and burning you feel on your feet. Typically found along the soles of the feet or in even found in between your toes, athlete's foot can spread quickly to neighboring areas of the foot. With severe cases of athlete's foot the skin between your toes and along the soles of the feet may even begin to bleed, crack and peel due to the raging fungal infection. athlete's foot is also known to spread to the toenails. Again, oh, the agony of the feet!

Athlete's foot can also spread to your underarms and to your groin. Ok, now that just is not right! If you scratch your athlete's foot and the inadvertently scratch another area of your body, you can transfer the fungus on your feet to a secondary area.

The trichophyton fungus which is the basis of athlete's foot can hang around for a lengthy period of time. This is one of the primary reasons that you should seek and begin treatment as soon as you have a confirmed diagnosis. It takes awhile to treat and conquer the beast of athlete's foot symptoms, so get on it. Do not delay, otherwise you are in for a long haul of itchy, peeling, and irritated feet.
 

Also, don't forget to keep your hands quiet and to yourself while you avoid scratching other areas of your body. No fungal transfers!

You may also see athlete's foot symptoms which present as dry skin, scaly skin, redness and inflammation, and even foot blisters. Without proper treatment, the foot blisters can often cause the skin to crack and open up. Open blister associated with athlete's foot can leave open areas of raw and exposed tissue which can lead to more pain and swelling. Exacerbation of athlete's foot symptoms can delay healing.

So it really is not that hard to diagnosis athlete's foot. Look for the common symptoms and if you have not experienced it before be sure you see your health care provider first before starting treatment of any kind.

Make a different decision today. There is help for you and there is no need to live another day with the agony of the feet and athlete's foot.

Ringworm (tinea corporis)
 

What is ringworm?

Ringworm is a skin infection caused by fungus that can affect the scalp, skin, fingers, toenails, or feet.

The fungi that cause skin infection of this type can be divided into three groups according to their favourite hosts or sources:

 - geophile (from soil sources)

 - zoophile (from animals)

 - anthropophile (from humans).

The fungi that are usually responsible for ringworm are zoophile and transmitted primarily through contact with animals. The scientific term for ringworm is tinea corporis.

What causes ringworm?

It is usually transmitted through contact with animals such as dogs, cats, calves, hamsters, and guinea pigs.

Most mammals have at least one type of fungus, and usually the animal and fungus live in peaceful coexistence without the animal ever showing any symptoms. This does not mean that the fungus cannot be transmitted to humans.

Children are particularly susceptible to ringworm and can pass it on easily to other children. Adults can also become infected. Farmers and people who work with animals that have fur are at increased risk.

What are the symptoms?

Typically, scaly red patches on the skin, the size of which varies from a few millimetres to several centimetres in diameter.

The patches are ring-shaped or oval and the edges are red and scaly. Inside the ring, the skin may be a bit scaly but looks normal in all other respects. The fungus spreads from the centre of the patch but the activity is confined to the outer edge.

The infected areas are usually itchy.

Who is at risk?

 - Children who come into close contact with animals.
 - Farmers.
 - People who work with animals that have fur, eg fur farmers, laboratory staff, etc.
 

How is it diagnosed?

The rash itself will usually provide ample evidence for the diagnosis. A scrape may be made for cultivation and microscopic examination. Certain fungi become fluorescent (glow in the dark) when exposed to ultraviolet light (Wood's light).

What is the treatment?

Depending on the severity of the infection, ringworm can be treated by using antifungal cream or by taking antifungal tablets.

Future prospects

If the infection is treated it will usually disappear relatively quickly, but the treatment should normally be continued for a while after the rash improves to eradicate the fungus.

What can be done to prevent an infection?

Fungi that can cause a skin infection are present everywhere and are difficult to avoid. However, if possible, refrain from direct skin-to-skin contact with people or animals suspected of having a fungal infection.

How To Get Rid Of Ringworm With Ayurvedic Treatment
 

Ringworm is a very contagious skin disease which is transmitted through a family of fungi known as dermatophytes. This disease can affect the skin of the scalp, hands, feet, chest and the nails. The ringworm inflammation is seen like a darkened ring on the skin (hence the name; it has nothing to do with worms) covered with a silvery border. Ringworm spreads in a circular manner, and the skin inside keeps getting recovered. Hence there will be a dark ring with tender skin in the center. This is an indication of ringworm.

In Ayurveda, ringworm is known as dadru. Like almost all other skin diseases, it is also caused when the vata dosha is vitiated.

(1) Useful Herbs in the Treatment of Ringworm

1. Butea (Butea monosperma)
The seeds of butea are effective in treating several skin problems including ringworm and eczema. A poultice of the leaves is prepared and applied on the affected regions.

2. Cassia (Cassia fistula)
The leaves of the cassia are beneficial in the treatment of ringworm. They are ground into a paste and applied directly over the affected parts.

3. Coriander (Coriandrum sativum)
The juice of the coriander leaves mixed with some turmeric is generally given to a patient who suffers from ringworm. It is also helpful if the skin becomes excessively dry and develops ringworm, especially in the winter months.

4. Holy Basil (Ocimum sanctum)
The juice of the holy basil leaves are applied locally on the affected regions. The ringworm subsides after continuous application for a few days.

5. Leadwort (Plumbago zeylanica)
A mixture of the leaves of leadwort is made into a paste with salt and water. This is applied directly on the inflamed skin. This herb is beneficial even for the extremely obstinate ringworm marks.

6. Lemon Grass (Cymbopogon citratus)
A paste of the leaves of the lemon grass is mixed with buttermilk. Applying this on the affected skin helps treat ringworm.

7. Margosa (Azadiractha indica)
Known popularly as the neem tree in India, the margosa is one of the best treatments for ringworm and is used extensively in Ayurvedic medicine. It is used in a variety of ways for both internal and external administration.

8. Turmeric (Curcuma longa)
Turmeric is used since very ancient times in the treatment of ringworm. A solution of the turmeric powder is made and applied directly on the affected skin. Turmeric is also given mixed with honey to the patient in oral form.


(2) Dietary Treatments for Ringworm

Sour foods must be completely avoided in cases of ringworm. This includes curds, cheese and sour vegetables and fruits. Oily foods also aggravate the ringworm lesions. The same can be said about hot and spicy foods. Hence, all these kinds of foods must be avoided. Do not consume any preserved foods and beverages like tea and coffee. Chocolates are also prohibited.

Instead, bitter foods such as the bitter gourd, bitter drumstick and neem must be consumed. The diet must be kept natural and simple (i.e. with the minimal use of spices and artificial additives) as long as the ringworm persists. More greens must be consumed in the food in the form of salads, soups and vegetable dishes.


(3) Ayurvedic Treatments for Ringworm

The Ayurvedic treatment for ringworm makes extensive use of the neem. It is used in the following two ways:-
- The patient is made to bathe daily in water which was boiled earlier with neem leaves in it.
- The neem leaves are made into a paste and applied over the affected parts.

If the ringworm is chronic (i.e. it recurs repeatedly even after treated completely once), then the Paradadi or the Dadrughna balms are applied over the affected skin.

For internal administration, Shuddha Gandhaka is prescribed for ringworm patients. This is given in small doses of 200 milligrams twice a day with honey.

In ringworm, it is necessary to continue the medication for a few days even after the lesions seem to be apparently healed. This is important, or there could be chances of a recurrence. Ideally, the medication should be continued for one week more.


(4) Home Remedies for Ringworm

1. Slice open a raw papaya. Apply its juice on the affected parts of the skin. Alternatively you can also apply the peel of the papaya onto the skin and keep it tied like a bandage. This will provide a cooling effect, which will reduce the itching and help in quick healing.

2. Drink lots of vegetable soups with carrots, radish and spinach in them as important ingredients. These soups will keep the skin moist and help it to fight against the fungal infection that causes ringworm.

3. Prepare a paste of mustard seeds and apply it directly on the affected skin. You will get a slight tingling sensation, but that indicates the healing process has begun. The tingling sensation will subside in a while.

4. Ringworm can become aggravated due to itching. If the skin is dry, then itching can cause eruptions and bleeding of the skin. This can be avoided by keeping the skin supple by the application of coconut oil.