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The Doctors Book of Home Remedies for Women: Athletes Foot

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Athletes Foot

Athlete's Foot

Stop the Infernal Itching

Don't make the mistake of thinking that athlete's foot is some sweaty, smelly guy problem. The fungi that cause trouble (there are about six of them) are equal-opportunity organisms whose idea of a great place to hang out is in the damp skin between toes and on the bottom and sides of feet, male or female. Worse yet, these fungi can get around and possibly give you--surprise!--a vaginal infection, says Teresa G. Conroy, D.P.M., a podiatrist in private practice in Philadelphia. Taking a bath instead of a shower can increase your risk of developing this problem.

FIRST, TACKLE THE FEET

Women pick up athlete's foot the same way men do: in swimming pools, locker rooms and showers--even in their own bathrooms if a family member has it. The unsightly white flakes, cracked and peeling skin and stubborn itch can drive you crazy. So athlete or not, you'll want relief. And that calls for an all-out effort--to eradicate the fungus on your feet and banish it from your footwear and house, permanently. Here's what to do.

When To See A Doctor

If you've done everything by the book, but your feet still itch and burn after 10 to 14 days of at-home treatment, see a podiatrist (a doctor specializing in foot care) or your family physician.

Powder up and dry out. Athlete's foot fungi can't survive without moisture, so the best thing that you can do is keep your feet desert-dry, says Cheryl Weiner, D.P.M., a podiatrist in Columbus, Ohio, and president of the American Association for Women Podiatrists. She recommends an over-the-counter medicated powder--Zeasorb-AF--applied twice daily directly to your feet. "This is the most absorbent foot powder available without a prescription."

Cream the germs and don't quit. Used properly, over-the-counter fungus-killing creams such as tolnaftate (Aftate or Tinactin) and miconazole nitrate (in Micatin products) can work, says Dr. Weiner.

"Most people stop using a cream as soon as all the white, flaky areas on their feet clear up," she says. "But to permanently eradicate fungus, you must continue using the cream for 50 percent longer than it took to clear up the problem." If it takes a month to knock out an entrenched fungus, for example, use the cream faithfully for an additional two weeks to really get the last of it.

The drier, the better. Fungus-ridden feet may crack, peel and look dry. But you'll want to avoid using moisturizing creams or petroleum jelly on your feet, since these products trap moisture and can actually promote fungus growth, says Dr. Weiner. Stick with antifungal creams.

Wear cotton when you can. "When it comes to the proliferation of athlete's foot, nylon panty hose are the biggest offenders," says Dr. Weiner. "Wear cotton socks or all-cotton tights instead."

Nylon seals moisture in, while cotton absorbs it. If your job dictates that you wear stockings and pumps during work hours, Dr. Weiner suggests wearing cotton socks instead of stockings to and from work.

Or buy polypro socks and tights. Wicking fibers--polypropylene, Capilene and the like--that draw moisture away from the skin and release it into the air also keep the feet dry, even more so than cotton, says Phyllis Ragley, D.P.M., vice president of the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine who practices in Lawrence, Kansas. "And unlike cotton, these fabrics air-dry quickly." Look for polypropylene socks and other foot-friendly fiber socks at sporting goods stores.

Change your socks. It's important to change your socks once a day, says Dr. Conroy. Otherwise, you re-expose your feet to trapped moisture and fungus.

Wash socks with disinfectant. When laundering socks and hose, add a capful of liquid Lysol disinfectant to the final rinse to help destroy fungus, says Dr. Conroy. Or soak them in a disinfectant solution for a few minutes before drying them.

Crank up the heat. Drying your socks on a hot setting will also help destroy fungus, says Dr. Conroy.

Socks first, then undies. Antifungal strategies don't stop with your socks. "If your feet are actively infected, pulling your undies on over your bare feet is a sure way to transfer the fungus to your groin," says Dr. Conroy. Avoid this potentially maddening problem by getting dressed socks-first. If you wear pantyhose: (1) Shield your feet with socks, (2) pull on your panties, (3) remove the socks and (4) put on your hose.

Fumigate your footwear. The same fungi that enjoy nibbling away at your tootsies also find refuge in your footwear. The best way to destroy them, once and for all? Blast the insides of your shoes with a disinfectant spray, such as Lysol, Dr. Conroy says. Let your shoes dry overnight before wearing them. If you have an active infection, do this every day with whatever shoes you wear. Don't forget to treat your bedroom slippers, too.

Air out your shoes. "If it's a nice sunny day, I tell people to loosen the laces and put their shoes out to air-dry," Dr. Conroy says.

If it's not a sunny day, stuff your shoes with newspaper, which will absorb moisture, and let them dry indoors, says Dr. Weiner. She also recommends alternating shoes so that at no time would you be wearing wet ones.

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