If you suffer from athlete’s foot, you’re certainly not alone. In fact, an estimated 70 percent of the American population understands your plight. This common fungal infection leaves you with red, itchy, burning patches of skin and accompanying discomfort. If left untreated, it can also lead to somewhat wrinkled toenails. Though it’s not particularly dangerous in its own right, the eventual blisters and cracked skin many people face as a result of the fungal invasion can bring about more serious bacterial infections.
Some over-the-counter Athletes Foot Treatments in Joliet IL actually do live up to their claims of alleviating the discomfort associated with the condition, but they only target the symptoms. Those sprays, powders, and creams go a long way toward soothing the burning and itching, but won’t really eliminate the fungus responsible. A handful of liquid topical treatments claim to get rid of the fungus as well as smooth out affected toenails, yet they fail to follow through with their promises.
You’ll also find any number of home remedies for the condition. Again, some truly do help ease the symptoms. One involves creating a foot soak made from Epsom salts and warm water and it’s recommended by professionals as one of the effective athletes foot treatments in Joliet IL. This particular solution helps send burning and itching into remission while speeding up the healing process for cracks and blisters.
Some other natural remedies are quite a bit more outlandish. They entail soaking your feet in water and oregano, slathering them with olive oil, and even inserting garlic slices between your toes. While any of these could make a nice pasta or salad dressing, most people find themselves reluctant to use them as Athletes Foot Treatments in Joliet IL. In some cases, they may even worsen the symptoms.
You can take a few steps to help lessen the severity of your symptoms, such as changing out of wet socks as soon as possible and keeping your toenails trimmed short. Wearing sandals or flip-flops to give your feet plenty of room to breath has also been found effective. Of course, this is easier said than done if your toes are already caught in the throes of a flare-up. Still, actually curing the condition and any accompanying infections requires a combination of antibiotics and antifungals only available from professionals like those at Suburban Foot & Ankle Associates in Joliet IL.
