SCRIPT NUMBER 144
ATHLETE’S FOOT - 2
(TWO SPEAKERS)
PROGRAM NAME: HEALTH NUGGETS
PROGRAM TITLE: ATHLETES FOOT - 2
PROGRAM NUMBER: 144
SUBJECT: FUNGAL INFECTIONS
KEY WORDS: FUNGAL, RINGWORM, YEAST, MOLD, MUSHROOMS,
IMMUNE SYSTEM, PRESCRIPTION, HOME REMEDIES,
SYNTHETIC FIBERS
DATE OF SCRIPT: DECEMBER 27, 2013
AUTHOR:
SPEAKER 1:
RICHARD YUKL, MD, FACS
Bayarmaa is a 32 year-old woman living in the Inner
Mongolian Autonomous Region of China. Following a recent pregnancy, she
began exercising daily in a gymnasium near her home to regain her physical
fitness. Soon, she started to feel intense itching, stinging and burning of the skin
between her toes. The skin was becoming red and thickened. It started to peel,
and then a painful ulcer formed.
SPEAKER 2:
Today, we will talk about athlete’s foot, a medical condition
that is not deadly, but one that is annoying, making our every day life miserable.
Athlete’s foot is a fungus skin infection that develops in moist areas of our bodies
- areas such as the spaces between our toes, on our scalp or in our groin. A
fungus is an organism similar to yeast, mushrooms or mold. When it infects the
skin of our feet, it is called athlete’s foot. When it develops in other parts of our
body, it is often called ringworm.
SPEAKER 1:
Why do we get athlete’s foot skin infections?
SPEAKER 2:
The fungus uses the superficial, dead layers of our skin as
food. When conditions are favorable, it can multiply rapidly and spread deeper
into our skin. It also releases enzymes that destroy our skin cells, allowing even
deeper penetration into our body.
SPEAKER 1:
What symptoms will an athlete’s foot infection cause?
SPEAKER 2:
Symptoms are exactly as Bayarmaa experienced - itching,
stinging and burning of the infected areas. The infected skin thickens, dries and
flakes, and blisters may form.
SPEAKER 1:
What complications can athlete’s foot cause?
SPEAKER 2:
Bacteria can invade the infected skin, destroying it
completely. That will cause a painful ulcer that is difficult to treat. That is just what
happened with Bayarmaa’s infection. One can also develop an allergy to the
fungus, resulting in a rash and blistering hives all over the body, but especially on
the hands and feet.
SPEAKER 1:
How does our body defend against a fungal skin infection?
SPEAKER 2:
We were created with an efficient mechanism to defend
against infections. That mechanism is called our immune system. As a fungus
penetrates into the deeper layers of our skin, it activates this immune system.
Our body responds by forming new skin cells rapidly, forcing the infected
superficial cells to peel off. A second mechanism destroys the ability of the
fungus to grow and multiply. Our immune system can often, by itself, cure a
fungal skin infection, but infections involving our toenails are a different matter.
Toenails are essentially out of the reach of our immune system, and because our
body can’t destroy a toenail fungus infection, it is difficult to cure. Toenail
infections frequently continue for a long time, and they often reinfect the skin.
SPEAKER 1:
If I have symptoms of a mild athlete’s foot infection, how
should I treat it?
SPEAKER 2:
Keep your feet clean and dry at all times. Also, a number of
ointments, lotions, powders and sprays available without a doctor’s prescription
will help to kill the skin fungus if you wash and dry the infected area and apply a
thin layer of the medicine twice a day, Many types of home remedies have been
popular, but few have proven helpful. Two treatments do seem to be effective.
The first treatment is to soak or spray your feet twice a day with a solution you
make by mixing one part vinegar and four parts water. The second treatment is
to soak your feet twice a day in one-quarter cup bleach in a tub full of water. Any
treatment you try should show effectiveness within a month. If it doesn’t, a doctor
can prescribe much stronger medicines.
SPEAKER 1:
What can I do to avoid developing an athlete’s foot infection
in the first place?
SPEAKER 2:
Most importantly, keep your feet clean and dry. Fungus
thrives in warm, moist environments. If an area of our body remains damp for
long periods of time, clinical symptoms of a fungal infection can develop. Thick,
tight-fitting shoes that squeeze your toes together, and shoes made of rubber or
synthetic materials such as plastic or vinyl create a warm, moist environment. So,
avoid wearing such shoes. Also, wear socks made of natural materials such as
cotton or wool, and if your feet sweat a lot, change your socks often, perhaps
twice a day. Natural fibers draw wetness away from your feet, while synthetic
fibers do not.
Athlete’s foot fungus is easily spread from one person to another through contact
with shoes, towels, socks and floors that have become contaminated. So, don’t
share your shoes or towels with anyone, and if you must walk in public areas
such as swimming pools, community baths or showers, wear waterproof sandals
or shoes.
SPEAKER 1:
Summarize what we should know about athlete’s foot
infections.
SPEAKER 2:
Athlete’s foot is a common fungus infection of the feet that
causes itching, stinging and burning, and it can lead to more serious bacterial
infections. Protect yourself from becoming infected by keeping your feet clean
and dry, and by wearing shoes and socks that can draw moisture away from your
feet. Never walk barefoot in public places such as swimming pools, public baths
or showers. If you must walk in those areas, wear waterproof sandals or shoes. If
you develop the infection, soak your feet in dilute vinegar or dilute bleach twice a
day, or apply a non-prescription medicine twice a day for at least one month. If
you can’t see improvement by then, you need to consult a doctor.
SPEAKER 1:
Health Nuggets is written by Dr. Richard Yukl, a medical
doctor working in the United States. The medical views expressed in this
program are his and may differ for your particular health needs. If you need
medical advice, please consult a medical professional in your area.
The nail becomes thick and crumbly, and it may start pullng away from the
nail bed.
Blisters that peel and crack may also form.