"Athletes foot" refers to the disease and not the Fungus

Athletes foot is a communicable disease estimated to be the second most common skin disease in the United States, after acne. It is estimated that up to 15% of the population may have it.

Athlete's foot causes scaling, flaking and itching of the affected skin. It most often manifests between the toes, with the web-space between the fourth and fifth digits most commonly afflicted.

Also called Tinea Pedis or tinea corporis when it spreads to other parts of the body particularly the crotch region, it is a parasitic ringworm fungal infection of the epidermis of the human foot.

It is not strictly limited to athletes but they are the most common sufferers of this condition.

Fungal infections of the nails are called tinea unguium or onychomycosis. Nail fungus may be very difficult to treat. Anti fungal pills may be required in more advanced cases

When it is between the toes most often the skin splits open leaving the split to be very painful and tender.

Although common on the feet it can also occur anywhere on the body, including the scalp, trunk, extremities (arms and legs), hands, feet, nails, groin, It is also not uncommon to be on the face around the eyebrows and nose. In fact anywhere most and warm but it does not penetrate to the organs of the body.

It can most frequently be picked up from the floors in gyms and swimming pool changing rooms or anywhere people congregate and walk without shoes.

It can be but not always contagious from person to person. Some people seem to be more susceptible than others to the athletes foot fungus.

The term "athletes foot" refers to the disease and not the organism (fungus) that causes it. Several different fungi, called dermatophytes, can cause tinea pedis. Moreover, a fungus species that causes athlete's foot can also cause, for example, jock itch (tinea cruris). It is typically caused by a mold (but in some cases a yeast) that grows on the surface of the skin and then into the living skin tissue itself, causing the infection. It usually occurs between the toes, but in severely lasting cases may appear as an extensive "moccasin" pattern on the bottom and sides of the foot. The malady more commonly affects males than females.

Naturally if you do not have athletes foot it is better to take Preventive measures that include keeping your feet clean and dry.

Avoiding prolonged moist environments. Remove shoes and allowing the feet to "breathe." Avoid walking barefooted, especially in public areas like swimming pools and gyms, Avoid contact with known infected people,

Avoid soaking and contaminated tool usage at nail salons. If your trainers and shoes are old then they will need disinfecting and periodic weekly or monthly sprinkling of anti fungal foot powder this may help in eradicating this fungus or at least control it

In a contradiction to the above there are a couple of exceptions

Bathe you feet in warm water with a few drops of Tea Tree Oil.(Incidentally this is the same plant that bees make the health giving New Zealand Manuka honey from.)

This plant has been used by the Australian Aborigines in many way for many years for its powerful natural antiseptic properties and while you are dong that sprinkle a few drops into the shoes/boots/trainers/socks.

Another thing that you might care to try is to wash the feet in an equal part solution of Cider Vinegar and water. What can't you use Cider vinegar for?

Alternatively try this four step method.

1. Wash the feet in warm soapy water and pat dry.

2. Mix five asprin in half a cup of surgical spirit and dab in avoiding the cracks.

3. Rub Tea tree oil on to the affected areas.

4. Put on some clean cotton socks.

So there you have three methods to cure the infection. I hope that one of them will do the trick for you.

If you are going to have someone tend to your feet it is imperative to take your own nail instruments, including nail files, to any public nail salon, unless you know the salon practices strict instrument sterilization and/or uses all disposable supplies.

Make sure any affected family members also treat their athlete's foot at the same time to avoid cross-infection

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