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Conditions

Athlete's Foot

Picture of athlete's foot

You might think that slouching on the sofa with a bag of pork scratchings, abstaining from all athletic pursuits, would render you immune from this fungal infection of the foot. However, this condition is not simply the preserve of the sportsperson, as it’s estimated that it athlete’s foot is present in between 15% – 20% of UK adult population. The infection is caused by a number of fungal species which you can typically pick up from communal areas such as pools, showers and changing rooms, or anywhere where you may walk around barefooted. Athlete’s foot can lead to intense itching, cracked, blistered or peeling areas of skin, redness and scaling. However, sprays, creams and anti-fungal powders can be used to treat the condition.

What the Men in White Coats Say

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I have been suffering from smelly feet for about 4 years nw, am a 28 year old single girl and this is impeding on my life nw, am so embarrased n has lost all confidence in myself, pleaseeeeee help me





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Im 39 and have sponge feet bottoms.I went to a skin doctor once who prescribed a "urea creme" that kinda helped.Problem comes back after creme ran out,might be worth trying though it did help.I'm open to trying anything new?!





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hi my partner got told he had this years ago but his feet look ok red and sore in beside the toes but thats it the big problem he has is the smell its getting worse and they are very sore and the water that drips from his feet is so bad he can put a pair of cotton socks on and he has to change them like 10mins later iam trying to fine things out as keep going to doctors and nothing just the same old thing all the time but my partner gets very up set with this i can understand why just the smell on its own it bad enought.





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hey guys, im a swimmer so my feet get wet 1-2 days a week minimum, the middle of my toes crack open when rather damp or realy dry they also peel only around the toes. i also get a some weird whole like things in my feet at one point they went realy bad then they dissapered and know there comeing back... i think its pitted keratolysis cause all the pictures ive seen look exacly like them, any ideas?





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I have suffered from Athlete's foot for a long time (10+years)and like many people I found it very hard to get rid of. After much reading around for alternative methods I found the folling formula worked really well for me and I have been free from Athlete's foot since. Two half a mug of corn starch add 3 tablespoons of backing powder, then add 14 drops of tea tree oil, 6 drops of lavinder oil. Mix this really well together so there are no lumps and store it in an air tight glass jar. during my shower or bath i would clean between my feet well, then dry them completly. Once your feet are dry use some of the powder mix on your feet paying atention to the afected area. Keep aplying untill 7 days after your skin looks healthy again. my athlets foot cleared up after 2/3 weeks and i havent had trouble with it since then. Another tipe is to only wear coton socks and to change them every day, and make sure you wash and dry your feet completly. Hope this helps!





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Thank you very much for the advise. Can you,please tell me how many hours a day I need to do this. My doctor give me some cream to use at night,so can I do your staff for few hours before bed and use the cream for night? Thank you,Victor.

hi i have had really bad athletes foot for about 14 year and managed to get rid by going to the doctors and he gave me 4 weeks worth of antifungal tablets. after this it has been fine but i have found i have really smelly feet and cant seem to get rid of it no matter how much i wash them any ideas?





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ive been trying to sort me feet out for years, ive tried creams, that scholl foot file type thing, i wash them every night, i replace my shoes regularly, but it still has a sponge effect, i was really silly once and tried sand paper, it got rid of the sponge effect for all of 6 weeks then it came back, its really bad when there wet, looks like white sponge, but when they`re dry the skin loses the sponge type look and just goes really dry and hard. any ideas?





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Im 14 and I get Athletes foot. How do i stop it as it Itches and i feel uncomftable in taking my socks and shoes off. What shall i do i have tried creams/powders!!!!





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i occasionally get blisters on my feet...they don't hurt...they itch...and if i "pop" them i get a yellow/white stuff coming out of them. I'm 45 and have had them on and off for 5 years...any ideas wot it is?





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Hello, I need help. I have had a foot complaint for around 7 years now and it started with intense itching around the little toe on my right foot (only affects one foot) of course the first thought is athletes foot but I do not get a build up of fungal. Over the years this has spread to all the other toes and all along the sole of my foot. My whole foot itches so bad I cannot describe it! And the skin is so dry. However it does not have the sponge effect as people have mentioned here. Also some of my nails have been effected having a yellowish colour and grow ridged and brittle. This is horrible for me and can never build up the courage to go to the doctors. I really want my foot back! Please help give me some idea of what this could be.





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This sounds exactly the same as I have - Have you had any response as to what it could be?

I have the. Same problem I don't know how to. Make it better

No, noones said what they think it could be. I'm starting to think it is a form of athletes foot but because im constantly washing it or trying to get the dead skin off the fugi can't build up? I don't know!





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It looks like no one else has asked this question, so please fill in the rest of your details below.





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Content supplied by NHS Choices

Athlete's foot is a very common condition, which affects many people at some point during their lives. It is caused by a fungal infection, which affects the skin on your feet. The infection is normally mild and is easy to treat. Athlete's foot usually affects the skin in between your toes, causing it to be red, flaky and itchy. Read More »

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