Athlete’s Foot
Your feet live most of their life in a warm, humid, dark environment – your shoes! These are also perfect conditions for fungus to grow, and a foot fungal infection can lead to dry skin, redness, itching, blistering and broken skin, as in athlete’s foot. Patients with diabetes are at greater risk of acquiring athlete’s foot.
Fungal infections are often picked up in locker rooms, at swimming pools and showers. Drying feet thoroughly, wearing protective sandals in public showers can help protect and prevent the fungus from spreading.
Athlete’s foot is a fungal skin infection caused by a species of Trichophyton or Epidermophyton. In many cases Hunt Footcare will prescribe an antifungal medication to cure the infection.
Bacterial Infections
No matter how clean your feet are, they are constantly in contact with the bacterial world. Whether we are barefoot or wearing shoes there is no escaping exposure to bacteria that can cause an infection. Common infections in the foot can arise as a result of an ingrown toenail or tiny puncture wound from a sliver. Infections can occur in between your toes and can present as a rash such as erythrasma. Bacterial infections of the feet can occur as collections as pus, such as an abscess. There are many types of bacteria that can cause an abscess but Staph infections are a leading cause. Chiropody treatment usually involves drainage of the lesion as well prescribing antibiotics if indicated.
Cellulitis is a skin infection that resembles a rash often appearing as red tender and warm area of the skin. Cellulitis can be caused by a variety of types of bacteria.
Trench Foot or Immersion Foot occurs when the feet are wet for intended periods of time. It can be both painful and embarrassing as it often results in smelly feet. Symptoms of Trench Foot include tingling or itchy sensation. The skin can appear as Swiss cheese with a punched out appearance. In addition to good hygiene your Chiropodist may prescribe medication to treat your problem.
Our team will advise on both treatments and ways to prevent such problems in the future.