Attention, athlete's foot!

Fungal spores find the best conditions to spread in damp, warm and dark environments. Swimming pools or communal showers therefore provide ideal conditions for athlete's foot. If the visitor's immune system is also weakened or their skin's acid mantle is not functioning optimally, the risk of athlete's foot increases considerably. In indoor swimming pools, the concentration of fungi is particularly high around the disinfectant spray. Dr Paolo Pedrazzetti, dermatologist from Adliswil, therefore advises wearing bathing shoes in the indoor pool: «This is the only way to use the disinfection facility.»

You should only sanitise your feet in indoor swimming pools when wearing bathing shoes.

Children are particularly affected by athlete's foot if they sweat a lot on their feet, do a lot of sport or frequently wear rubber boots, thick winter boots, ice skates, ski boots or trainers that are not breathable. Fungal spores can survive for up to six months on skin flakes in shoes, but also in carpets, clothing and towels.

However, the spores can only penetrate the skin if it is pre-damaged, i.e. has tiny cracks that are not visible to the naked eye.

Recognising athlete's foot

Athlete's foot manifests itself in three ways. In around 90 per cent of cases, the infection occurs between the fourth and fifth toe. Initially, the skin looks white and softened. Small blisters and painful, oozing cracks usually appear later. Sometimes the skin also stinks - this is caused by bacteria that settle in the wounds.

In the second form, athlete's foot forms blisters on the arch of the foot, which are often misjudged as an allergy. In the third form, the callus thickens. Those affected believe that the skin on their feet is simply dry. This can be clarified by examining the skin under a microscope or taking a fungal culture.

Athlete's foot manifests itself in three ways. In around 90 per cent of cases, the infection occurs between the fourth and fifth toe. Initially, the skin looks white and softened. Small blisters and painful, oozing cracks usually appear later. Sometimes the skin also stinks - this is caused by bacteria that settle in the wounds.

In the second form, athlete's foot forms blisters on the arch of the foot, which are often misjudged as an allergy. In the third form, the callus thickens. Those affected believe that the skin on their feet is simply dry. This can be clarified by examining the skin under a microscope or taking a fungal culture.

Consistent therapy

Dr Pedrazzetti recommends that athlete's foot should always be treated consistently and as early as possible in order to avoid infecting other people. On the other hand, the disease also provides an entry point for various pathogens such as bacteria. The expert explains: «If, for example, streptococci or staphylococci enter the lymphatic system, this can lead to blood poisoning, which in extreme cases must be treated with antibiotics in hospital.»

Treatment is carried out using an antifungal substance, which is now available as a spray, milk, powder or cream. It is important to continue the treatment for at least a week after the symptoms have subsided. This is because if the medication is stopped too quickly, the infection may flare up again. Treatment normally lasts around two weeks.

In around 90 per cent of cases, the infection occurs between the fourth and fifth toe.

Causes of nail fungus

Athlete's foot should also be treated because it can develop into nail fungus. Microbiologist Prof Hans Jürgen Tietz, head of the Institute for Fungal Diseases in Berlin, notes that more and more children are suffering from this infection today. In addition to a predisposition to docking sites and other genetic factors, the main reasons for this are non-breathable shoes (made of plastic, for example) and sports that put a lot of strain on the toenails, such as football, dancing or tennis.

Injuries to the nail plate, shoes that are too small or too large or blows to the nail also have a favourable effect. Nail fungus manifests itself through a lifting of the nail plate, a change in colour or a thickening of the nail. Over time, the nail can become brittle and split. Sometimes painful inflammations also occur in the nail fold.

The therapy depends on the infestation

Paolo Pedrazzetti also recommends early treatment for nail fungus, as it is easier and quicker to treat in the early stages than a spread fungus. According to the dermatologist, the treatment depends on the infestation: "If the nail plate is thickened, the infected nail mass must first be removed and treated with a urea-containing ointment in combination with an antifungal agent. In the case of decomposed nails, an antifungal agent is applied in the form of a spray or varnish. If only the front part of the nail is affected, the varnish will make the fungus disappear in 80 per cent of cases.

If more than three nails are affected, treatment with tablets is necessary.

If the nail root or more than three nails are affected, the fungus must be treated with tablets." The well-tolerated tablets must be taken for at least three months. After that, the drug therapy can either be continued or the affected area can be treated with polish until the nail has grown out healthily. During treatment, parents of affected children should thoroughly disinfect all shoes with a fungicidal agent, ideally at the end of the first week of treatment, to prevent re-infection.

What to do against nail fungus?

Elfi Seiler, chemist at St Peter's Pharmacy in Zurich, recommends the following remedies:

•  Tupfen Sie zehnprozentiges Teebaumöl, reines Salbeiöl oder Lavendelöl mehrmals täglich auf die befallene Stelle. 
• Baden Sie die Füsse Ihres Kindes zweimal pro Tag zehn Minuten in: – warmem Wasser mit Thymian- oder Zinnkrauttee – Molke (Säure wirkt pilzabtötend) – Eichenrindenabsud (bei offenen Stellen) – Schwarztee (lindert Juckreiz und Schmerzen) 

It is important that the feet are kept dry between treatments. If athlete's foot becomes very widespread or if inflammation develops between the toes, the child must see a doctor.