Help! Athletes Foot.
Discussion
So, I contracted athletes foot about 3 weeks ago (probably from some scrote at the gym). I bought some of that new lamisil spray stuff to treat it. Worked wonders, no discomfort after a week. Kept spraying the stuff though, just to make sure. It ran out yesterday. Today I have the most terrible itching, its driving me mad! I can't believe its come back so quick. (I havnt even been to the gym again since I contracted it).
Now the stuff says see a doctor if symptoms continue. But I can't, as last time I saw a doctor, he told me my whopping great big chest infection was "just a cold" (some nice old lady at the pharmacy prescribed me some antibiotics tho ;)) I can't even see another doctor because I'm at a fsckin branch surgery, and "its not policy to goto another surgery". I have to travel a bit over the next few days, so I don't really have time either.
This probably sounds whingy, but I really don't know what to do about it. Leave it and let it go away? (my policy with most illnesses). Try applying some different stuff and hope that works better? (Which btw, spray, creme or powder?) I also have an issue with my work shoes, as they're big clumpy boots (safety shoes) and my feet tend to get quite hot and sweaty. I'm wearing light cotton socks, but absolutly any advice would be appreciated, I can't sleep because of this, I've resorted to cotton wool between the toes...
Now the stuff says see a doctor if symptoms continue. But I can't, as last time I saw a doctor, he told me my whopping great big chest infection was "just a cold" (some nice old lady at the pharmacy prescribed me some antibiotics tho ;)) I can't even see another doctor because I'm at a fsckin branch surgery, and "its not policy to goto another surgery". I have to travel a bit over the next few days, so I don't really have time either.
This probably sounds whingy, but I really don't know what to do about it. Leave it and let it go away? (my policy with most illnesses). Try applying some different stuff and hope that works better? (Which btw, spray, creme or powder?) I also have an issue with my work shoes, as they're big clumpy boots (safety shoes) and my feet tend to get quite hot and sweaty. I'm wearing light cotton socks, but absolutly any advice would be appreciated, I can't sleep because of this, I've resorted to cotton wool between the toes...
Lamisil isn't usually much good for this type of infection, which is usually caused by a variety of skin fungi, and the cracks and soggy areas of skin get infecetd with bacteria as well, which the Lamisil won't cure. Also if there's a Candida element to the infection (i.e. thrush) lamisil doesn't work on it.
Also, length of treatment is important - 4-6 weeks is needed to cure most infections - I imagine Lamisil AT spray lasts about 2 weeks - marketing departments aren't stupid!
Trouble is, only Lamisil actually kills fungal infections. Daktarin etc will stop the fungus growing, but not actually kill it - it just sort of gives up after a while! Treat it for a good couple of moths to make sure.
Also, length of treatment is important - 4-6 weeks is needed to cure most infections - I imagine Lamisil AT spray lasts about 2 weeks - marketing departments aren't stupid!
Trouble is, only Lamisil actually kills fungal infections. Daktarin etc will stop the fungus growing, but not actually kill it - it just sort of gives up after a while! Treat it for a good couple of moths to make sure.
Im sorry to say it but you will never get rid of it!
It will come and go at its free will, and is sure to drive you batty in the middle of the night. Try not to scratch it too much else you will rub it raw, and thats when it really gets painful. Most of the powders work well, and keep it at bay for 90% of the time.
As a word of warning it can spread! The majority of the time this can mean that you wear the same socks twice but on different feet and the infection will transfer to the other foot. At worst it can get up into other sweaty areas, that a man likes to keep private. The result can be the same as Hitler, no not a desire for wearing silly moustaches, but more half way to becoming a eunuch
So becareful where you use that towel!
It will come and go at its free will, and is sure to drive you batty in the middle of the night. Try not to scratch it too much else you will rub it raw, and thats when it really gets painful. Most of the powders work well, and keep it at bay for 90% of the time.
As a word of warning it can spread! The majority of the time this can mean that you wear the same socks twice but on different feet and the infection will transfer to the other foot. At worst it can get up into other sweaty areas, that a man likes to keep private. The result can be the same as Hitler, no not a desire for wearing silly moustaches, but more half way to becoming a eunuch
So becareful where you use that towel!
saxo-stew said:
daktarin. works a treat.
How does a short-sighted lion called Clarence in your socks help?
I have been plagued by athlete's foot for a long time, and have finally resorted o a course of Lamasil tablets (orally) for three months to clear it.
And that's in spite of no socks/bare feet for months (advantages of working at home
)
I reckon barefooting it around is the way to go.
I have a story about Lamisil (terbinafine-hydrochloride). It CAN have serious implications for your sanity. I contracted a weird skin fungus thing from the sea, it was something that fish get, it was like tinea, except under the skin. Same old itchy nightmare, looked hideous and I had to get it dealt with.
So, I was surprised to get pills to treat a fungal skin infection. I had 14 of these suckers to take and got through 9 of them and then something really odd happened. I was sat down as normal at the table having dinner and then I freaked out, I had to go outside in a sort of panic attack/claustrophobia thing, I hung over the balcony and felt very very unwell, my pulse rate went through the roof and I began having hallucinations!!! So, I went back to the doctor (who, in typical GP fashion, consulted his human haynes manual) and said, allergic reaction, stop taking the pills. Anyway, I carried on having a living nightmare, I can't describe it but it was like a sort of paranoia/panic/detatchment feeling. Very very disturbing indeed. I thought I was going mad and had the trauma of going to my dentist (bearing in mind I felt like I was on some seriously mind bending drugs) thankfully the dentist was a proper medic and knew his shit. The drug had messed with my gut flora and the implications of that were something to do with the vitamin C cycle (whatever that is) and this had altered the chemistry of my brain (temporarily) resulting in the symtoms. It was a hell of an experience and I really do recommend that you stick with the cream and not the pills (which are recommended for mid scale fungal infections) as the side effects are horrendous. Rare but never again, I swear that I'd rather cut my skin off with a knife rather than go through about 2 weeks of a living nightmare. Seriously.
I have a story about Lamisil (terbinafine-hydrochloride). It CAN have serious implications for your sanity. I contracted a weird skin fungus thing from the sea, it was something that fish get, it was like tinea, except under the skin. Same old itchy nightmare, looked hideous and I had to get it dealt with.
So, I was surprised to get pills to treat a fungal skin infection. I had 14 of these suckers to take and got through 9 of them and then something really odd happened. I was sat down as normal at the table having dinner and then I freaked out, I had to go outside in a sort of panic attack/claustrophobia thing, I hung over the balcony and felt very very unwell, my pulse rate went through the roof and I began having hallucinations!!! So, I went back to the doctor (who, in typical GP fashion, consulted his human haynes manual) and said, allergic reaction, stop taking the pills. Anyway, I carried on having a living nightmare, I can't describe it but it was like a sort of paranoia/panic/detatchment feeling. Very very disturbing indeed. I thought I was going mad and had the trauma of going to my dentist (bearing in mind I felt like I was on some seriously mind bending drugs) thankfully the dentist was a proper medic and knew his shit. The drug had messed with my gut flora and the implications of that were something to do with the vitamin C cycle (whatever that is) and this had altered the chemistry of my brain (temporarily) resulting in the symtoms. It was a hell of an experience and I really do recommend that you stick with the cream and not the pills (which are recommended for mid scale fungal infections) as the side effects are horrendous. Rare but never again, I swear that I'd rather cut my skin off with a knife rather than go through about 2 weeks of a living nightmare. Seriously.
Had mild case of this on and off since going on holiday with 2 mates who have it a few years ago.
Got some stuff off a chiropodist friend of mine (incidentally, didn't realise chiropodists could be so
.. but I digress) which you can also get at most chemists.
Its a clear paint-on liquid called MONPHYTOL. seems to work great for me, only have to apply it for a couple of weeks and job done.
Got some stuff off a chiropodist friend of mine (incidentally, didn't realise chiropodists could be so
.. but I digress) which you can also get at most chemists. Its a clear paint-on liquid called MONPHYTOL. seems to work great for me, only have to apply it for a couple of weeks and job done.
Never use the sprays - ist packaging und you waste a lot of it. Use the cream version.
For the athlete foot - get some medicated talc - daktarin talc as others have suggested. Lot of other cheaper medicated talc on market - und I would use one of these for rest of body und the daktarin foot powder talc for use mit feet.
Prevent in first place by careful washing - I put sea salt or Epsom salt in bath - ist relaxing but ist also cleansing und kills many surface germ. make sure you clean - und I mean actually clean between tootsies. I would use a simple unperfumed baby soap, coal tar soap - but nothing perfumed as these irritate the infection. All towel und flannel used should be lauindered immediately to prevent spread. Salted water ist one way of protected your bath from the the disease - but ist also necessary to clean your bath or shower as well to make sure ist not recurring this way.
Ist necessary to check mit doctor or chiropodist that ist athlete foot und not eczema or psoriasis or reaction to dye in socks (use white cotton ones only - opreferably athletic variety und change twice per day), or adhesivve in shoe. If you need protective shoe und not athletic walking sandal which ist also farly sturdy und butch looking - then you need to buy new pair or wipe your existing pair very carefully mit antiseptic wipe - und use such a wipe each time you use this shoe. You could also get shoe sock/in-lay - which you can remove und replace und also disinfect.
As for reaction to pills - ist always a danger that someone somewhere will be that one person who has a reaction - ist always necessary to explain any idiosynchrasies, intolerances und allergies to doctor or pharmacist.
For the athlete foot - get some medicated talc - daktarin talc as others have suggested. Lot of other cheaper medicated talc on market - und I would use one of these for rest of body und the daktarin foot powder talc for use mit feet.
Prevent in first place by careful washing - I put sea salt or Epsom salt in bath - ist relaxing but ist also cleansing und kills many surface germ. make sure you clean - und I mean actually clean between tootsies. I would use a simple unperfumed baby soap, coal tar soap - but nothing perfumed as these irritate the infection. All towel und flannel used should be lauindered immediately to prevent spread. Salted water ist one way of protected your bath from the the disease - but ist also necessary to clean your bath or shower as well to make sure ist not recurring this way.
Ist necessary to check mit doctor or chiropodist that ist athlete foot und not eczema or psoriasis or reaction to dye in socks (use white cotton ones only - opreferably athletic variety und change twice per day), or adhesivve in shoe. If you need protective shoe und not athletic walking sandal which ist also farly sturdy und butch looking
- then you need to buy new pair or wipe your existing pair very carefully mit antiseptic wipe - und use such a wipe each time you use this shoe. You could also get shoe sock/in-lay - which you can remove und replace und also disinfect. As for reaction to pills - ist always a danger that someone somewhere will be that one person who has a reaction - ist always necessary to explain any idiosynchrasies, intolerances und allergies to doctor or pharmacist.
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