CHENNAI: Athlete Foot, a skin disease that causes itching, scaling and blistering of the affected area, which is common in this season, should not be ignored as treatment is the only cure, warn dermatologists.
Athlete Foot is of two types — keratolysis and tinea pedis. The former is caused by bacterial infection and the latter is by fungal infection. Keratolysis is a condition of holes forming in the skin and tinea pides, is when skin begins to peel off. People who stand in water for long periods, diabetics, narrow-toed people and homemakers are vulnerable, say doctors.
“Out of 100 out-patients, we treat 20 cases of athlete foot a day during this season. In other seasons, there would be only one or two cases,” says Dr G R Ratnavel, head, cosmetology department, Government Stanley Medical College and Hospital, Chennai.
HOW TO PREVENT IT:
“Wash legs properly and dry them immediately. Do not wear shoes when there is flooding. When feet are wet, they are exposed to fungal and bacterial infections,” says Dr Ratnavel.
DIABETICs:
“Diabetics are more prone to this and it will take longer for them to recover. They should avoid staying in water for long,” says Dr K Manoharan, head dermatology department, Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital.
TREATMENT:
Doctors say treatment is the only cure. If people don’t get treated, their feet will swell, pus will form and they will have difficulty walking. Doctors also suggest applying clotimazole powder to prevent athlete foot.
The bacteria and fungus are not only be active in sewage water, but even in stagnated rain water, say doctors.
Sinduja Jane