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What is an Athlete's Foot?

An athlete's foot is an infection caused by dermatophytes, a type of fungi that thrive in warm moist environments. It is normally acquired at public places, such as locker rooms, swimming pools or fitness gyms. It is characterised by itchiness, scaling, redness, and sometimes blistering. While mostly developed by athletes, this can develop in any individual who is exposed to the fungus in wet conditions.

Symptoms

Itching and Burning Sensation

Affected skin, often found between the toes, may be itchy and become more unbearable as they warm up due to perspiring and heat gain when removing shoes. These areas can be itchy for a while, and alongside the itch, the red lesions can have feelings of warmth or inflammation.

Red, Scaly, and Peeling Skin

It dries the skin, causing it to be reddish, peeling, and scale, particularly on the soles and between the toes. When peeling, it might leave patches that become raw to the touch.

Blisters and Ulcers

In more severe cases, fluid-filled blisters may develop, which can burst and form ulcers, leading to open sores. These open wounds increase the risk of secondary bacterial infections, making the condition more painful and difficult to treat.

Cracked Skin

Cracked dry skin is common in the heel and areas of the bottom. The cracks or fissures can be painful and may worsen with prolonged standing or walking and may encourage further issues.

Odour

The fungal infection creates a moist environment, and dead skin cells upon breaking down give off a foul odour. This can often be more pronounced when the feet have been imprisoned in shoes for a while.

Common Causes of Athlete’s Foot

Athlete's foot is an infectious disease and caused by fungi, especially in warm and moist environments. A few common causes of athlete's foot include:
Public Areas:
Walking barefoot in a highly populated public area, for example, pools, gymnasiums, and locker rooms, makes it quite easy to get hold of the fungi that cause an athlete's foot. It is because the rooms are typically warm and damp, ideal conditions for fungi multiplication.
Sweating:
Excessive sweating, particularly in tight or poorly ventilated shoes, creates a warm, damp condition where fungi like to grow. This is one of the reasons why the infection is more common among athletes, as they often wear such types of footwear.
Poor Foot Hygiene:
Failure to wash frequently or letting the feet remain wet after a bath or swim makes them susceptible to fungus growth. Wet conditions between the toes can be an ideal breeding ground for the fungus.
Sharing Personal Items:
Shared objects such as socks, towels, or shoes of an individual having athlete's foot can easily catch the infection since spores may remain on fabric and surfaces.
Weakened Immunity:
People suffering from diabetes and other health problems may have their immunity lowered, and at that moment, fungal infections are expected to come into their lives because their body is weak to destroy the fungus.

Ayurvedic Remedies for Athlete’s Foot

Ayurveda recommends using natural treatments that balance the doshas and strengthen immunity. Some effective remedies include:

Neem (Azadirachta indica):

In Ayurveda, neem is documented for its strong antifungal and antibacterial activity. It may easily tackle fungi that cause such an illness as an athlete's foot while calming the inflammation of the skin. Washing your feet with water in which neem leaves are added or applying the neem oil on the infected portion will help drastically decrease itching, inflammation, and fungal growth. This helps the infection to heal completely and gives the immunity power of the skin a good boost to avoid such symptoms again in the future.

Manjistha (Rubia cordifolia):

Manjistha is a blood purifier, a detoxifying herb. As a topical application, Manjisht cleanses the skin from toxins and gets rid of fungal infections. As an anti-inflammatory, Manjisht has a great ability to reduce inflammation, redness, and irritation of the athlete's foot. Apply this herb as a paste directly to your affected areas so that it may accelerate healing and your body's natural defence mechanisms.

Garlic (Allium sativum):

Garlic is traditionally used as the active ingredient allicin is inherently present in it, a compound having antimicrobial activity which has been successful in fighting against fungal infection. Crushed cloves of fresh garlic or even garlic oil can be applied topically to the infected skin where it starts the process of killing the fungal infection while reducing the inflammation and promoting healing of the skin. Garlic also strengthens the immunity system of your body so that it can counter the infection from within.

Coconut Oil:

It contains lauric acid, which is an antifungal, antimicrobial, and moisturiser for the skin. It soothes the skin, does not make it dry or crack, and fights fungus overgrowth. Daily use of coconut oil keeps the skin fresh, soft, and without cracks where fungi easily develop. Thus, it acts as a natural protective barrier against fungal infection and minimises its recurrence.

Panchakarma Treatment:

For chronic cases of athlete’s feet that are resistant to topical treatments, Ayurveda recommends Panchakarma therapy to detoxify the body and balance the doshas, particularly Pitta and Kapha doshas that can lead to skin conditions. Panchakarma treatments such as Abhyanga (oil massage) and Swedana (steam therapy) promote internal detoxification by eliminating excess heat, toxins, and impurities from the body, which in turn strengthens the immune system and reduces susceptibility to infections. These therapies help purify the blood and balance the skin’s natural pH, making it less prone to fungal infections.

Diet and Lifestyle Modifications

To support Ayurvedic treatment and prevent athlete's foot from returning, consider these dietary and lifestyle changes:

Foods to Include:

Fresh Vegetables and Fruits: It cleanses the system and provides immunity to the body for quick recovery from fungal infections.
Whole Grains: Brown rice and quinoa ensure a good amount of fibres and support overall digestion and detoxification.
Cooling Herbs: Coriander and mint help keep Pitta in check which is aggravated by the infection and can further create inflammation in the affected region.

Foods to Avoid:

Spicy and Oily Foods: Avoid Pitta-enhancing foods, such as overuse of spices, frying, and processed foods that engender inflammation.
Excessive Sugar: Fungus feeds on sugar, so it is better not to consume too much sugar as it would curtail the growth of fungus.

Lifestyle Adjustments:

Foot Hygiene:

Practising good foot hygiene is essential to prevent and treat an athlete's foot. Washing your feet daily with warm water infused with neem or using Ayurvedic foot cleansers ensures that your feet remain clean. Be sure to dry your feet thoroughly, particularly between the toes, as moisture encourages fungal growth.

Wear Breathable Footwear:

Wear lightweight shoes that are made either of leather or canvas so your feet will be aired. Prevent putting on shoes that are too tight and closed for long periods because this will create a warm, moist environment where fungi easily thrive.

Avoid Sharing Personal Items:

Fungal infections can spread easily among people using personal belongings. Be careful not to share any towels, socks, or shoes with others and always use your own clean and hygienic stuff. This prevents the tendency of catching or spreading the athlete's foot fungus.