BOOKS. American Heart Association and American Cancer Society, ed Living Wel, Staying Well. New York and Toronto: American Heart Association and American Cancer Society, 1996. ‘The Editors of Time-Life Books. The Medical Advisor: The Complete Guide to Alternative & Conventional Treatments. Virginia: Time-Life Books, 1997. Shealy, C. Norman. The Complete Family Guide to Aernative ‘Medicine. New York: Barnes & Noble Books, 1996. PERIODICALS “Research Briefs: Meditation Reduces Atherosclerosis.” GP (May 13, 2002): 4 “Walking Aids Older Women’s Arterial Elasticity, Helping Hear.” Women’s Health Weekly (May 28, 2002): 3 ORGANIZATIONS. American Heart Association, National Center. 7272 Greewville ‘Avenue, Dallas, TX 75231-4596, cup /fwwwamhrt.org> National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. PO. Box 30108. Bethesda, MD 20824-0108. Patience Paradox ‘Teresa G. Odle Athlete’s foot Definition Athlete's foot is a common fungus infection in which the skin of the feet, especially on the sole and toes, becomes itchy and sore, cracking and peeling away. Athlete’s foot, also known as tinea pedis, can be difficult to clear up completely. Athlete's foot received its common name because the infection is often found among athletes. This is be- cause the fungi flourish best in the around swimming pools, showers, and locker rooms. Description Athlete's foot is very common, so common that ‘most people will have at least one episode with this fun- gal infection at least once in their lives. Its found more often in adult males. In faet, symptoms that appears to be athlete’s foot in young children are probably caused by some other skin condition, Causes & symptoms Alhlete’s foot is caused by a fungal infection that espe- cially affects the skin between the toes. The fungi that cause GALE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2 [Athlete's foot fungus on toes of patient. (Custom Medical ‘Stock Photo. Reproduced by permission) athlete’s foot include Trichophyton rubrum, T. mentagro- hytes, and Epidermophyton floccosum. These fungi live exclusively on dead body tissue, such as hair, the outer layer of skin, and the nails. The fungus grows best in moist, ‘damp, dark places with poor ventilation. ‘The problem is rare in children and those who customatily go barefoot ‘Most people carry fungus on their skin. However, it will only flourish to the point of causing athlete's foot if conditions are right. The fungi muliply on the skin when it is irtated, weakened, or continuously moist. Sweaty feet, tight shoes, synthetic socks that do not absorb moisture well, a warm climate, and not drying the feet well after swimming or bathing, all contribute to the overgrowth of the fungus. Symptoms include itchy, sore skin on the toes, with scaling, inflammation, and blisters. Blisters that break, exposing raw patches of tissue, can cause pain and swelling. The infected feet also may have an unpleasant smell. As the infection spreads, itching and buming may worsen. In severe cases, the skin cracks and seeps fluid. ‘Sometimes a secondary bacterial infection is also present. If it is not treated, athlete’s foot can spread to the soles of the feet and toenails. Stubborn toenail infections, called tinea unguium, may appear at the same time, with ‘crumbling, scaling, and thickened nails, and nail loss. The infection can spread further if patients scratch and then touch themselves elsewhere (especially in the groin or under the arms). It is also possible to spread the infection to other parts of the body via contaminated bed sheets, towels, or clothing. Athlete’s foot is more severe and more ‘common in people taking antibiotics, corticosteroids, birth control pills, drugs to suppress immune function, and in people with obesity, AIDS, and diabetes mellitus. Diagnosis ‘A dermatologist can diagnose the condition by physical examination and by examining a preparation of 151 100} SAYAthlete's foot skin scrapings under a microscope. Not all foot rashes are athlete’s foot, which is why a physician should diag- nose the condition before any remedies are used. In order to properly diagnose the infection, the physician ‘may do a fungal culture. Using nonprescription products ‘on a rash that is not athlete’s foot could worsen the rash, therefore, proper diagnosis is important. Treatment ‘The infected foot should be kept well ventilated. A foot bath containing cinnamon has been shown to slow down the growth of certain molds and fungi, and is said to be very effective in clearing up athlete's foot. Eight to ten broken cinnamon sticks are boiled in four cups of Water, simmered for five minutes, and then steeped for 45 minutes. The mixture can be then placed in a basin ‘and used daily to soak the feet. Herbal remedies used externally to teat athlete's foot include goldenseal (Hycrastis canadensis), tea tree oil (Melaleuca spp.), myrrh (Commiphora molmol), gan lie (Allium sativa), oregano oil (though its smell is quite pungent), and calendula. The affected area should be swabbed with an herbal mixture twice daily or the feet should be soaked in a herbal footbath. Pau d’arco, also called taheebo or lapacho, can be used for athlete’s foot ‘as well. The tea bags can be soaked in water for about 10 ‘minutes and then placed on the affected areas, or by mak- ing a tincture and directly rubbing the tea onto the toes. Aromatherapy may be helpful. Several drops of the essential oils of tea tee, peppermint (Mentha piperita) or ‘chamomile (Matricaria recutita), can be added to the bath water. Chamomile may be applied directly to the toes, Allopathic treatment ‘Simple cases of athlete's foot usually respond to an- tifungal creams or sprays, such as tolnaftate (Aftate or Tinactin), clotrimazole, miconazole nitrate (Micatin products), oF Whitfield’s tincture made of salicylic acid ‘and benzoic acid. Athlete's foot may be resistant to topi= cal medication and should not be ignored. If the infec- tion is resistant, the doctor may preseribe an oral antifun- ‘gal drug such as ketoconozole or griseofulvin. Untreated athlete's foot may lead to a secondary bacterial infection in the skin cracks. Expected results Athlete's foot usually responds well to treatment, but itis important to complete the recommmended treatment, even if the skin appears to be free of fungus; otherwise, the infection could return. Tinea unguium may accompany athlete's foot. Its typically very hard to treat effectively. 152 KEY TERMS Corticosteroids—Synthetic hormones which con- trol nutritional processes in the body as well as the function of several organ systems. Prevention ‘A healthy diet should be maintained. Foods with a high sugar content should be avoided, including undilut- ced fruit juice, honey, and maple syrup, Good personal hygiene and a few simple precau- tions can help prevent athlete's foot. These include: +The feet should be washed daily; care should be taken to avoid contact with other parts of the body. +The feet should be kept dry, especially between toes. ‘Tight shoes and shoes made of synthetic material should not be worn, +The feet need to be kept well ventilated, especially in the summer; bare feet and sandals are recommended. + Absorbent polypropylene or white cotton socks are ree- ‘ommended; they should be and changed often. + Bathing shoes should be worn in public bathing or showering areas, +A good quality foot powder should be used to keep the feet dy. ‘If anyone in the family has athlete’s foot, towels, floors, and shower stalls should be washed with hot ‘water and disinfectant after use. Resources BOOKS Donahue, Peggy Jo. Relief rom Chronic Skin Problems. New York: Dell Publishing, 1992 ‘Orkin, Milton, Howard Maibach, and Mark Dahl. Dermatol ‘ogy. Connecticut: MeGraw-Hil Professional Publishi 1991 Stoffman, Phyllis. The Family Guide to Preventing and Treat ing 100 Infectious llnesses. New York: John Wiley and ‘Sons, 1995, ‘Thompson, June, etal. Mosby's Clinical Nursing. St. Louis: Mosby, 1998, ORGANIZATIONS American Podiatric Medical Association. 9312 Old George- town Rd, Bethesda, MD 20814 Patience Paradox GALE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2