Athlete’s foot is a common skin infection of the feet caused by a fungus. It causes itchy white patches and cracked skin, usually between the toes.
By Stephanie Simons,
Head Pharmacist,
Lindo’s Pharmacy in Devonshire
As any self-respecting Bermudian can tell you, May 24 marks the true start of summer. Time to get ready for the water – be that the beach or the boat. Which means…exposing your feet. Gulp.
As James Brown once sang, you got to get on the good foot. But, honestly? Many of us have feet that we would rather keep hidden. Not so much the good foot as the bad foot. Fear not, though. There is still time to treat your tootsies, before you have to bare them in public. And no matter what the problem, if ‘this little piggy’ goes to our Pharmacy corner, help may be at hand…
GOODBYE FUNGUS, HELLO FUN…
Small wonder that our feet are perfect targets for fungal infections. For one thing, each one contains approximately 250,000 sweat glands. That’s a lot of sweat. Then, we keep them swaddled in socks and shoes. And even when they’re liberated, they’re often exposed to places (changing rooms, school or public showers) which are hotbeds of fungus. Result: trouble.
Take athlete’s foot. Despite the name, this is an equal opportunity pain in the extremity, affecting couch potatoes as well as jocks. It usually starts between the toes – fungal infections love moist, warm conditions – but can then spread, causing itching, flaking and discolouration.
An antifungal medication called ‘Terbinafine’, sometimes known by the brand name Lamisil, has been shown to be effective in combating this unwelcome development.
Talk to one of our pharmacists about the best treatment for you. Anti-fungal medications come in many forms – creams, gels, sprays and powders. And we stock a wide range, from brand leaders like Canesten, Lamisil and Daktarin.
Sadly, it’s not just the skin on your feet that fungus tackles. It can attack the toenails, too: turning them yellow, sometimes thickening them; or causing them to chip. Luckily, nail fungus can also usually be cleared up with over-the-counter products like medicated varnish or creams.
Again, flag down one of our pharmacists for advice. Be warned that nail and skin fungus infections can take a while to disappear (weeks to months or longer). So, persevere – and if at first you don’t succeed, talk to your doctor. They may suggest upping the ante and using an oral medication.
HELP FOR HEELS
Sometimes it’s not moist clammy feet that are the problem, but the opposite. The skin on the bottom of our feet is thicker than anywhere else on our bodies – because there is an extra layer of epidermis (the Stratum Lucidum) which helps to protect our long-suffering soles from friction and retain moisture. But for a number of reasons – ill-fitting shoes, prolonged periods of standing, or even just getting older (our heels tend to become less padded over time) – the skin there can become dry and eventually start to crack and split. Which is not a good look – and also hurts like the dickens. We have some solutions for this, too. A wide range of heel balms: super moisturising and softening products which you can massage in at night (and then leave to work, under cover of a pair of bed socks). Flexitol, Dr. Scholl’s and Eucerin all offer treatments which will leave your feet softer, and ready for a barefoot summer stroll along a sandy pink beach.
PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE
Outside of summer sandal season, it’s often a case of ‘out of sight, out of mind’ with our feet. Which means we can be in for a shock when it’s time to peel off. Why not pay a bit more attention to them, given how important they are to us? Take time to give them some TLC…all year round.
A foot file, used after you’ve soaked your weary dogs in warm water – or after a shower or a bath – can work wonders, leaving your feet feeling and looking beautifully buffed. We have a selection in store. Check them out.
We also stock other items to help you put the final touches to your tootsies: nail clippers, files and emery boards. And wax – in case you are one of the lucky people who have hair on their feet (it’s not just for hobbits). The good news is that hairy feet usually means you have good circulation. Silver lining!
And now, time to put your best foot forward…
Stephanie Simons is the head pharmacist at Lindo’s Pharmacy in Devonshire. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and has been practicing for over 20 years. She is a registered pharmacist with the Bermuda Pharmacy Council and is a member of the Bermuda Pharmaceutical Association.
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