Do you suffer from dry, cracked, and brittle feet? Maybe you keep them hidden under pairs of socks, fearing that yellow or green tint might leap out and infect others. While gross and uncomfortable, Athletes Foot is bound to strike anyone who wears shocks and shoes, as bacteria present grows out of control easily. If you live in a warm climate, have excessively sweaty feet, or forget to dry between your toes then your risk is increased.
Photo credit: Healthwise
One of the biggest problems facing men with Athletes Foot is that many don’t know how to diagnose and treat the problem; or assume that scaly, leprous feet are somehow a sign of manhood. Your feet should be reasonably soft, flesh colored, skin intact, and have at least five toes (more are optional). The scope of the problem ranges from minor irritation and shedding, to full-blown dragon scales depending on the severity and time of treatment.
To help you get rid of Athletes foot, we have included some top tips to use right away!
1. Homemade Relief Remedy for Athletes Foot
If you have minor shedding, or need immediate relief, this homemade treatment will allow you to cleanse your feet – and give you enough comfort to go to the store to get medicated products or a doctor’s opinion. Grab baking soda and vinegar (try to find white vinegar or apple cider vinegar if possible) from the kitchen, and add equal parts to a bowl – try not to use your girlfriends “good” bowls.
Put the shoes you wear most often in the tumble dryer on a high heat setting, or out in the sun, to kill off the bacteria, and bleach your socks. Then, soak your feet in the baking soda solution for 15 minutes or longer if needed and repeat this bathing process until you feel commutable. Always wash the bowl out with boiling water, and keep it to one side for future treatments.
2. Inspecting the Feet
Look at your feet, and find out where the majority of the symptoms occur. This will help you find the right product for treatment.
Photo credit: Healthwise
If you notice, the discomfort is in or around the toenails, consider using Fungicure Anti-fungal Liquid Maximum Strength. This has a handy applicator that can help you get into the nail bed without further damage, and eliminates the six most common bacteria known to cause Athletes Foot. This is a fast-acting liquid, max. strength, and doesn’t have any odor or unpleasant side effects. It also dries quickly, and contains plenty of treatments.
Photo credit: Amazon
If you notice that the symptoms are in-between your toes, as is most common, you will see red, flakey skin that might be painful. Invest in a quality foot cream that will relieve the itching or burning sensation, and combat the bacteria causing the problem. Walgreens Athlete Foot Cream relieves both Athlete Foot and Jock Itch, and is a great product to keep in the bathroom just in case.
Photo credit: Amazon
3. Treating Athletes Foot in Men
Apply the products onto dry, clean feet and make sure that the inside of the toes are bone dry before adding the medication. Always follow the instructions, and aim to apply twice a day until you see a notable improvement. You should also change your socks at least once a day, more if active, and take care to exfoliate the dead skin cells to improve new growth. If you want, supplements that contain Vitamin E and C are a great booster.
You should also carry out a long-term foot care régime that includes checking in-between the toes regularly, to prevent the problem coming back. If you see signs of dry skin, it might not be Athletes Foot. The symptoms do vary from person to person, and you should always get an initial diagnosis from a doctor, but as a rule, you can check these types of symptoms to get an idea if intervention is needed:
- Peeling, cracking, excessive dryness of the feet
- Redness, blistering, or damaged skin (especially around the toenails)
- Itching, burning, or both sensation in the feet
Understanding and Preventing Athletes Foot
Millions of bacteria live in and around the feet, and are part of our complex anatomy but that doesn’t mean there is a balance to be upheld. Bacteria are resilient, and thrive in synthetic materials such as socks and training shoes. This is because these materials trap in heat and humidity, cause excess sweating, and are great feeding grounds (from shedding skin).
Photo credit: The Fun Times
The best preventative measure you can take is to change to all cotton socks, let your feet air out once in a while, and make sure that you shoes and socks are cleaned (on a high heat) on a regular basis. You should also consider using bacteria killing odor control sprays for your shoes if you have recurring Athletes Foot. Otherwise, the bacteria will lurk in the soles and wait for the right moment to spring again.
For helpful tips on how to treat and maintain your body, look up The Ultimate Guide to Grooming for more advice from the experts. With over 101 pro tips, you will never be left with dry, brittle feet again!
