Athletes Foot

[Dee Sa]

I think that's what I have got, I wake up in the night and find myself scratching the arch of my foot and the skin is cracked even though I use foot cream regularly, recently I have started wearing insoles to support the arch [ both feet] made for me by the NHS clinic I wear them in my shoes all day would this have caused the problem ? also what is the best treatment ?

[Sqad]

Not an expert, but it doesn't sound like Athlete"s foot.
I would go to the chemist and buy hydrocortisone cream 1% use it twice daily and if there is no improvement within 4 days, then see you GP.

[Dee Sa]

thanks sqad, will do first bit but wont go to GP presume because of my age he is the most uncaring, snotty ubrupt barsteward doctor I have ever met, so for myself have not been back for over a year, not that I have ever gone very often anyway. I don't like GP's and I am terrified of hospitals for myself don't mind going as support but not for me.

[nungate]

If you could get some tea tree wash or tea tree oil and add it to a footbath it might also help. It's a natural antiseptic and should help with the itching and keeping the cracked skin clean before you apply the cream. If you're feet are getting really hot etc. it won't help having to wear the same insoles in your shoes, maybe you could sprinkle some Bicarbonate of soda into your shoes and over the insoles overnight and tip out in the morning it should help keep things nice and dry and banish any odours (great for teenagers smelly trainers!)

[Wak]

Hi Dee, I had athletes foot from being in the Air Force and it was so bad that my socks were hung out of the billet window each night.
I understand that it is caused by a fungus in the skin and won't be cured until you kill the fungus.
If it does turn out to be Athletes Foot, then the best thing to kill the fungus is Borasic Acid Powder but I don't think you can obtain this now so you can use the ordinary Borax, which can be bought over the counter from the chemist.
Run a bowl of hottish water and dissolve about two dessert spoons of Borax in it.
Soak your feet until the water goes cold so that the Borax gets right into your skin and then let your feet dry naturally.
You may have to repeat this in a few months time if it doesn't work 100% but I did this many, many years ago and the feet are still OK.
Hope this helps.
Also, the fungus lives in your shoes so don't forget to sprinkle some Borax powder in all your shoes and slippers, etc.

[Dee Sa]

thanks all, do you know what, I got all my insoles the NHS made on the spot ones and a posh pair that cost the earth at the Ideal Home Exhibition and I now noticed how dirty they had become, I had not realised that sweat can build up like that so I scraped& scrubbed all 4 pairs and then washed the tops with tea tree oil and last night no itching at all, will now do this at least once a week, bedroom slippers and all.

[Dee Sa]

forgot to add a thanx to Wak will buy borax today and keep up the good work.