Have you noticed any inflammation on your foot recently? It is likely your foot has been infected by fungus. Don’t panic; with a foot fungus cream, it is going to be over.
Foot fungus is one out of many prevalent foot conditions that affect a lot of people. It grows slowly but surely, gaining ground when unattended to.
The fungus can attach itself to any part of the foot. What is the real story? Foot fungus is a result of fungi infecting the feet. They usually need a warm moist environment to flourish.
When fungus infects the foot, it is hard to get rid of it. The fungi that cause foot fungus are known collectively as dermatophytes. When dermatophytes get underneath a toenail, they feast on the proteins in the nail, which results in the nail getting yellow and brittle.
Foot fungus infection can be gotten from public showers, floors of locker rooms and in some swimming pools. It is sometimes recognized when there are moist, itchy, scaly and painfully-cracking lesions on the foot. These can spread quickly to the sole of that foot, making things worse.
Anyone can develop foot fungus but it is more common in men and teenagers. The condition is relatively rare in children under 12 years old.
Table of Contents
The Causes of Foot Fungus
Foot fungus does not appear magically. Knowing the causes of foot fungus can help you prevent it or reduce its effect on your foot.
It can come on as a result of various factors such as:
i. Irritants
ii. Poorly-fitting shoes
iii. Contact allergens
iv. Sweat and rash
v. Psoriasis
vi. Toe web infections
viii. Sharing the shoes or socks of an infected person
Symptoms of Foot Fungus
How do you know if you are infected with foot fungus? There are certain symptoms to look out for:
a. Discoloration of the nail
b. Thickening of the nail
c. Change in texture, ridges or a distorted shape of the foot
d. Brittle or crumbly nails
e. Discomfort around the foot area
Importance of Using a Foot Fungus Cream
Check out some of the amazing benefits of using foot fungus cream:
i. Regular use of foot fungus cream helps to prevent cuts, sores, and infections on the foot.
ii. Massaging your feet with foot fungus cream when you have blisters can help soothe the pain and discomfort.
iii. Using foot fungus cream leaves the foot feeling silky-smooth and soft. iv. After prolonged use, foot fungus cream gives the feet a more attractive look.
Factors to Consider When Selecting Foot Fungus Cream
There are certain factors you should put into consideration when selecting a foot fungus cream. They will help you make the right choice of cream and avoid wasting time and money.
Ingredients
Before buying a foot fungus cream, take a look at the ingredients used. A good foot fungus cream should contain certain active ingredients like menthol, eucalyptus oil, and camphor. These are effective in treating foot fungus.
One more important ingredient that you should look out for is tea tree oil, an essential oil with many therapeutic benefits.
Tea tree oil has anti-fungal and antiseptic properties and is an effective treatment for foot fungus. If you use a foot fungus cream with tea tree oil consistently, you would get impressive results over time.
Budget
You should prepare a budget to know the amount you are willing to spend on a foot fungus cream. Why is this important? Some foot fungus cream brands charge up to thousands of dollars for their products.
By setting a budget, you can narrow the search of which cream you can afford. But if you want the best from a foot fungus cream, be prepared to buy an expensive one. Expensive foot fungus creams are known to be more effective.
This is because these expensive ones are more likely to contain natural ingredients and essential oils. Cheaper foot fungus creams have quality issues.
Your Skin Type
No matter what, always consider your skin type when choosing a foot fungus cream. If you have dry feet, for example, choose a foot fungus cream that has a thick consistency. This is important especially necessary in the cold, dry winter months.
And if your skin is oily, choose a foot fungus cream that is oil-free and light in texture. Some foot fungus cream brands offer products designed specifically for people with oily skin.
For sensitive skin that is easily irritated, be careful when you selecting foot fungus cream. Do not choose a foot fungus cream that contains perfume or scent. That is not all; avoid oils such as peppermint and lemongrass.
Brands
There are numerous brands that produce foot fungus creams, with each claiming to be the best for you.
The diverse range of foot fungus cream brands can leave you confused as to which one would be the best.
Be careful of foot fungus creams that seem too good to be true. Select brands that have effective products. Reputable brands are the best bet and likely to be most effective and safe.
Climate
Do you live in a hot climate area? Then consider buying a foot fungus cream that is sweat-resistant and has a cooling effect.
Antioxidants
Anti-oxidants are often naturally found in plants, although many vitamins can act as anti-oxidants as well. They keep the cells working properly and reduce damage on your foot.
While it is good to eat fruits, having them as ingredients in your foot fungus cream is beneficial to the skin.
The essential nutrients of these fruits will help to make your feet softer and prevent them from damage.
Tips to Get the Best Out of Shopping for Foot Fungus Cream
Compare Prices
You should compare prices among various sellers before buying any one. To get an idea of the prices of various brands, visit different buying and selling platforms. Doing this would help you select from a shop with a superb deal.
While trying to get a good bargain for your money, do not compromise quality. Always go for quality rather than quantity.
Fragrance Content
Some foot fungus creams contain fragrances in them to give an appealing aroma. This makes them attractive but avoid them. Why does this matter?
Foot fungus creams with fragrances can make your feet dry, which would damage your skin. Select those that don’t contain any fragrance to prevent your skin from irritation and getting dry.
Sunscreen Content
Look for foot fungus creams with sunscreen. Take note: sunburn is a real occurrence on the foot. Do you know that skin cancer can occur on the feet from too much sun exposure?
Using a foot fungus cream that contains sunscreen is important. The reason is that such offers extra protection against the sun’s harmful Ultraviolet radiation on your foot.
Read Reviews
Reading reviews helps you make a good buying decision. So take your time to read reviews on your choice of foot fungus cream.
You can get reviews from online stores, magazines, and blogs before buying your preferred choice of foot fungus cream. The reviews of your product choice would help you know if it actually does what it claims.
Some reviews may tell you how best to optimize your cream.
Check out these interesting skin care product reviews/articles:
Which Surgical Procedure Removes Superficial Skin Lesions with Scraping?
Neutrogena Men Skin Clearing Acne Wash – Comprehensive Review
What Can Cause Itchy Skin without a Rash? – In-depth Answer
How to Get Rid of Stretched Skin after Pregnancy – Extensive Answer
How to Exfoliate Sensitive Skin – Extensive Answer
What Lotion Is Good for Baby Dry Skin – Comprehensive Answer
How to Get the Most from Using a Foot Fungus Cream
Wear Comfortable Shoes
Comfortable shoes will help improve your foot health in many ways. If shoes are too tight, they encourage the growth of foot fungus, blisters and worsen existing foot problems. Wear comfortable shoes every day.
That is not all. Do not wear the same shoes every day. Changing them will give them time to air out, which will help prevent foot odor and foot fungus.
Leather and cotton shoes are your best options because they allow your feet to breathe and release moisture.
Keep the Feet Clean and Dry
It is necessary that you keep your feet dry and clean at all times. If you sweat a lot on your feet, make it a point to wear cotton socks; make sure you get them changed as often as you sweat. Always take out your shoes’ insoles so that they can be aired properly, especially at night.
Medicated or talc powder would go along way in preventing the occurrence of foot fungus. This is because the powder would absorb the sweat, leaving no breeding ground for fungi. Change shoes as frequently as possible so that they will have the time to air and dry.
Be Cautious
Thoroughly clean home showers and floors where family members and guests walk barefooted to avoid contacting foot fungus. Be careful how you walk barefoot. Put on sandals or shoes in public spaces such as in swimming areas and public locker rooms.
Avoid wearing another person’s footwear, especially if they sweat a lot. Inspect your feet thoroughly every day, even between your toes. Use a mirror if you cannot do this alone.
Eat Well
Research has proven that certain diets may help improve a person’s overall health and well-being. Your diet should include plenty of nutrients and iron-rich foods, which can help prevent brittle nails.
That is not all; eat foods rich in vitamins, minerals, and other materials that help aid nail growth and development. Some foods to eat that care of the feet and nails are:
i. Any food that is rich in calcium and vitamin D
ii. Fatty acids found in oily fish, such as salmon
iii. Yogurts that contain probiotics
iv. Foods rich in lean protein to help nail growth
v. Foods rich in iron to help prevent brittle nails, such as spinach
Moisturize Your Feet After Shower or Bath
Do not soak your feet. This can break down your foot skin and actually cause damage to your foot. Soaking increases your chance of foot fungus infection.
Any time you take a shower or have a bath, the next thing to do would be to rub a moisturizer on your feet.
Use a specially formulated moisturizing foot cream to soothe and nourish the foot area. You can do this in the morning.
Don’t put the moisturizing lotion between your toes, since moisture here can increase the risk of fungal infection.
Side Effects of the Excessive Use of Foot Fungus Cream
Using foot fungus creams is effective but when they are abused, they cause more harm than good.
Skin Irritation
Skin irritation means there could have been the excessive use of the cream. If skin irritation occurs, stop using the cream and contact a dermatologist.
Resistance
Resistance most frequently arises with too much use. To reduce the chances of resistance, apply your foot fungus cream liberally twice daily only.
