10-4 Magazine - For Today's Trucker

A FUNGUS AMONGUS
By Nurse Practitioner Norma Stephens Hannigan

The human skin is a hotbed of all kinds of bacteria and fungi, most of them friendly and helpful. Sometimes, however, there can be exposure to other fungi or an overgrowth of one’s own that can cause serious itching, blistering, peeling and discomfort. Most people know such an infection of the foot as athlete’s foot, probably since athletes share locker rooms and showers and do a lot of sweating in their shoes. Of course, so do truckers, and this is not an uncommon problem among them. To medical types, this infection is known as tinea pedis. Athlete’s foot is the most commonly seen of the fungal infections.

How do you know if you have athlete’s foot? The most unhappy spot for a person with athlete’s foot is between the toes, especially the space between the little toe and the one next to it. The skin becomes red, may peel or have a white, scaly appearance, and is very, very itchy. If the athlete’s foot goes untreated, it can spread to the soles, creeping up the sides and eventually to the top of the foot. A person can have an acute episode of athlete’s foot, in which intense itching and blister-like lesions form between the toes. These infections may become chronic (lasting a long time or recurring over and over) if not sufficiently treated. Some people develop an “id” reaction - little bumps appear on the fingers after an infection with athlete’s foot.

How do you get athlete’s foot? The fungi that cause this itchy, miserable skin condition are often found on locker room or truck stop showers and floors, around pools and can be passed directly from one person to the other or through contact with socks, stockings or shoes. Interestingly, there may be several people in a household sharing the shower but some people seem not to get infected; it seems some of us are more readily infected in public settings. If you’ve already had athlete’s foot, it can come back again more readily if your feet sweat a lot and you don’t air them out frequently. A fungus loves nothing more than a dark, damp, warm place in which to hang out and multiply. Plastic shoes can be particularly offensive in causing athlete’s foot or shoes that are too tight and don’t allow your feet to “breathe”. Synthetic materials like nylon in socks tend to make you sweat more and then don’t absorb the sweat. Men tend to get athlete’s foot more than women - there is possibly a genetic component. These fungi can also occur in other parts of the body, including the nails. Those with impaired immune systems, people with HIV or diabetes, for example, are more likely to get it. If you get a particularly severe case, or a case that hangs on and just won’t go away, or one that keeps coming back, getting yourself checked out for these two things is important. In this case, the athlete’s foot may be a symptom of a much more serious problem.

How can I prevent athlete’s foot? When you are sharing public showering or swimming areas, it’s always a good idea to use water shoes or sandals to keep you from direct contact with places where the fungi live. Dry your feet thoroughly, separating the toes and drying in between each and every one of them every time they are wet and let them air out. For people whose feet sweat a lot, 100% cotton or wool socks may be helpful because they are more absorbent. Even when using absorbent material socks, it might not be a bad idea to use an absorbent cornstarch powder to keep your feet even drier. As often as possible, take off your shoes and socks and let your feet air out. Whenever safe and comfortable to do so, wear sandals and alternate pairs of shoes so you make sure they are dry before you put them on again.

What can I do if I get athlete’s foot? Once you have made your diagnosis of athlete’s foot, there are many over-the-counter creams you can use to treat it (Lotrimin, Lamisil, Tinactin, to name a few), available at markets and pharmacies. The most important trick to getting rid of athlete’s foot is to use the medications consistently and for at least four weeks. Most of us want to stop using any medicine as soon as we feel better, but we set ourselves up to have continued misery if we don’t get rid of it completely by treating it completely. In very stubborn cases where the fungus doesn’t go away with using one of the non-prescription creams, it may be necessary to take medication in pill form. In this case, you would have to see your nurse practitioner or physician to make sure he/she agrees with your diagnosis and to give you a prescription for such pills. All of the other preventive measures still apply - drying between the toes, airing out your feet, etc. to assure that the infection does not linger or return. In severe athlete’s foot, a secondary bacterial infection can cause red streaks and pain in the foot and leg, or even pus where the skin is broken - in this case you surely want to be seen by a health care provider because this can cause serious complications.

So, next time you hit the showers at the local truck stop, keep in mind that there is fungus among us. Protect your feet when in public places, and always dry them thoroughly. Don’t let athlete’s foot affect your sole. Put you foot down firmly (after you have aired them out) and say, “At ease, disease!”

~ Norma Stephens Hannigan is a Family Nurse Practitioner with many years of experience treating truck drivers. She currently writes from her home in Union City, New Jersey.