FUNGAL INFECTIONS, HOW TO TREAT THEM?
ATHLETE’S FOOT – WHAT IT IS AND HOW TO BEST TREAT IT. ATHLETE’S FOOT IS ALSO KNOWN AS “TINEA PEDIS,” OR RING WORM, IS NOT TOO OFTEN THE SUBJECT OF DISCUSSION OVER THE DINNER TABLE, AND ONLY SELDOM DISCUSSED WITH A HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL. YET, SOME FORM OF ATHLETE’S FOOT INFECTIONS, ALONG WITH THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE SAME FUNGUS FAMILY IS ESTIMATED TO AFFECT AS MANY AS 20% TO 25% OF THE ADULT POPULATION WORLDWIDE AND 80% OF ALL SPORTSMEN.
Athlete’s foot (tinea pedis), is a fungal infection of the skin that causes scaling, flaking, and itch of affected areas (mostly the toes). Tinea pedis most often manifests between the toes, with the space between the fourth and fifth digits most commonly afflicted. Blisters and cracked skin may also occur, leading to exposed raw tissue, pain, swelling, and inflammation. These open wounds can easily lead to secondary and more serious bacterial and/or viral infections.
Tinea pedis is caused by a fungus known as Trichophyton. It is typically transmitted from person to person, in moist communal areas where people walk barefoot, such as showers in sports dressing rooms etc. After transmission, the fungus requires a warm moist environment, such as the inside of a shoe, in order to incubate and thrive. Although the condition typically affects the feet, it can infect or spread to other areas of the body, particularly areas of skin that are kept hot and moist, for long periods of time with body heat, and sweat, including the groin and the toenails. While the fungus is generally picked up through walking barefoot in an infected area or using an infected towel, infection can be prevented by remaining barefoot as this allows the feet to dry properly and removes the fungus’ primary incubator – the warm moist interior of a shoe or clothing. Athlete’s foot can be treated by a number of products and other treatments, although it can be almost completely prevented by going barefoot, wearing sandals, or wearing enclosed shoes as little as possible.
Athlete’s Foot can also be transmitted by sharing footwear with an infected person, such as at a bowling alley or any other place that lends footwear. A less common method of infection is through sharing towels.
Health Tip: If you discover or suspect that you may have a Tinea pedis infection on your feet, make sure you put clean socks on your feet, before you put your underpants on. This may help to prevent the fungus spreading to the rest of your body.
PREVENTION
Since shoes are the primary mode of infection and incubation and since the fungus is almost non-existent in always barefoot cultures due to the prevalence of strong, dry, feet that are very well ventilated, not wearing shoes at all is almost 100% effective in preventing the fungus to invade. People who regularly wear shoes should try to walk barefoot as much as possible in order to prevent infection. Simply remaining barefoot for a few hours after walking through an infected area is usually enough to prevent the fungus growing and wear it off your feet.
When moving through an area that is likely to be infected it is important to remember that the fungus requires the foot to remain moist in order for it to grow. Since fungi thrive in warm, moist environments, keeping feet as dry as possible and avoiding sharing towels aids prevention. Always dry the feet thoroughly if you wish to put on shoes and ensure that both the shoes and socks are clean and dry and have been regularly washed.
TREATMENT
Whatever treatment regime is followed, in the treatment of Athletes Foot and/or any related fungal infection, should be continued for at least thirty days after all the symptoms and sign of the infection have disappeared. Care should still be taken during this period, to prevent cross-contamination taking place, where the infection can reoccur or be transferred to another member of the family.
Silver on the other hand, have been found to be the most effective treatment in the total elimination of any or all of these conditions.
One hundred and eighty (180) lab reports and research studies have documented the benefits of using Silver. In fact, scientists have found that the Silver can destroy 99.9% of all bacteria, viruses, moulds, fungi and other pathogens it has been tested on, within minutes of exposure. These include malaria, common cold and flu viruses, numerous moulds, Methicillin-resistant staph (MRSA), salmonella, E. coli, and streptococcus, among many others.
Silver’s multi-faceted applications can be used inside the body (internal), as well as on the skin and in the orifices (external). This is especially important when treating a fungal infection, such as athlete’s foot. Our Silver socks can eliminate the different forms of the fungi.
SILVER SOCKS AGAINST FUNGAL INFECTIONS
Most of us wear socks and that's also important with sweaty feet. Barefoot in your shoes is a recipe for misery. In any case, socks should help to drift away the moisture (ventilate). Bamboo and cotton are usually the best type of textile for this. Wool is also a good choice. Synthetic materials usually do not help as well. With socks you can keep your feet drier and therefore less bacterial growth.
But this doesn't kill the bacteria yet. It only helps to prevent them from multiplying so quickly. Then it would be ideal if the socks could also kill fungi, even before they can get into the shoe. An addition of material that kills them is then necessary. The best thing to do then is to choose a material that cannot be washed out of the socks, because if that happens, the effect is immediately gone.
SILVER SOCKS STOP FUNGAL INFECTIONS
Silver yarns is such an addition. In the medical world, the use of silver is also used as an antibacterial and anti fungal device, so that is proving to be very effective. Silver socks directly kill the fungi on the foot and possibly in the sock. But the shoes remain virtually without fungi (if cleaned or new in advance). Even if you already have sweaty feet, silver socks can make sure that the air disappears within 1 hour and that the fungi are killed. Another nice side effect of silver wire socks is that the silver ions help the moisture of sweat evaporate faster. This also keeps your feet drier.
On our website you will find a nice assortment of socks that help to prevent sweaty feet from getting odours (note: the sweat itself will not be reduced).
Interested in the socks? You can easily order them via our website.