Is iodine effective in treating athlete's foot? How to prevent athlete's foot?

Since athlete's foot is quite common, various folk remedies are circulated among patients with athlete's foot. Among them, the use of iodine tincture to treat athlete's foot is a relatively common saying. In fact, this statement is not reasonable. Athlete's foot is caused by fungal infection, and iodine tincture can kill the fungus. In addition, the prevention of athlete's foot also requires certain methods. Here we will introduce to you the methods of using iodine to treat athlete's foot and how to prevent it!

How does iodine cure athlete's foot?

Athlete's foot is a fungal infection, and iodine tincture can kill the fungus. Dip a medical cotton ball in iodine and wipe the areas on your feet where athlete's foot is located. Then take a clean cotton ball dipped in iodine and apply it to the areas where athlete's foot is more severe. Wrap it with gauze to prolong the effect of iodine and secure it with tape. If you don't want to wrap your feet, you can leave the iodine cotton ball on your feet for a while longer, at least 10 minutes. The purpose of using gauze to isolate the foot from the external bacterial environment is the same as the role of bandage after surgery.

Clinical manifestations of athlete's foot

The clinical manifestations are blisters, peeling, or pale and soft skin between the toes. Erosion or thickening, roughness, and cracking of the skin may also occur, and may spread to the soles and edges of the feet, causing severe itching. It may be accompanied by local suppuration, redness, swelling, pain, inguinal lymph node enlargement, and even secondary infections such as calf erysipelas and cellulitis. Due to scratching the itchy area with the hands, it is often transmitted to the hands and causes tinea manuum (tinea pedis). When fungi grow on the nails, it becomes onychomycosis (onychomycosis). Fungi love moist and warm environments. The hot summer weather and sweating, as well as people wearing rubber shoes and nylon socks, provide a breeding ground for fungi. The condition usually improves in the winter, manifested by cracking of the skin.

How to prevent athlete's foot?

1. Pay attention to cleanliness, keep your skin dry, keep your feet clean, wash several times a day, and change socks frequently.

2. Foot basins and foot towels should be used separately to avoid infecting others.

3. It is not advisable to wear non-breathable shoes such as sports shoes and hiking shoes to avoid excessive foot sweating and aggravated foot odor. People with tight spaces between toes can use clean gauze or cotton balls to sandwich the toes or choose split-toe socks to facilitate moisture absorption and ventilation.

4. Do not eat foods that can easily cause sweating, such as hot peppers, raw onions, raw garlic, etc.

5. The mood should be calm. Excitement and agitation can easily induce sweating and aggravate tinea pedis.

6. Tinea pedis is a contagious skin disease. You should avoid scratching to prevent self-infection and secondary infection.