Check Up: Treating Athlete Foot

R. Dwyer, 22, believes that she has athlete's foot. She is seeing some water-filled bumps on her soles and on the side of her feet. She asks for treatment suggestions.

She is probably correct and should visit her doctor for treatment with a combination of both tablets and topical creams. The creams alone might not be effective.

Anyone can get athlete's foot, which is caused by a commonly occurring fungus. Sadly, the infection can be contracted at the manicurist. Most nail technicians will soak their instruments in disinfectant and wash out pedi-baths in between each client, but on a busy day, sometimes it is not done.

It can occur in the cleanest of places if the person before you was infected and the proper cleaning procedure was not done.

Most times, athlete's foot causes redness, itching, flaking, and scaling of the feet, but in more severe cases, blisters form on the soles and between the toes. Cracks leaking fluid can also occur between the toes.

Natural remedies, which would take longer to cure, include:

• Cornstarch and garlic: Rub cornstarch mixed with crushed garlic and a few drops of olive oil over the infected areas and leave in place for 20 minutes. Clean off in soapy water and dry feet carefully. Repeat daily for up to two weeks after the fungus has disappeared to prevent recurrence.

• Garlic: Apply crushed garlic mixed in olive oil for 15 minutes daily, continuing treatment for several weeks. Clean off with soapy water and dry feet carefully.

• Lemon: Squeeze juice from one lemon and mix with 2 ounces of water. Rinse the feet daily with lemon water.

• Vinegar: Soak feet in one cup vinegar to two quarts water solution for 20 minutes every night. Dry feet carefully afterwards.

• Salt and baking soda: Soak infected foot for 10 minutes in warm salt water using 1 teaspoon salt to one cup of water. Dry carefully then place baking soda between the toes.

• Betadine: Soak infected feet in a solution of Betadine, two capfuls to one quart water. Dry feet well and apply prescribed anti-fungal medication.

If there is fungus on your feet, then it's on your shoes. Apply an anti-fungal powder or spray to shoes.

Kelisha enjoys sorrel juice. She hopes that sorrel is also full of nutritional benefits and asks about the benefits.

Sorrel juice is very popular at Christmas, but it is worthwhile drinking all the year through. Sorrel is used worldwide in soups, teas, and vegetable salads. People are in fact now drinking the juice all year round. Sorrel, however, contains a significant amount of Oxalic acid, which makes it slightly poisonous when taken in excess.

The health benefits of sorrel include its ability to improve eyesight, strengthen the immune system, build strong bones, improve digestion, improve blood circulation, increase energy levels lower blood pressure, increase appetite, slow the ageing process, protect against diabetes, improve kidney health, and strengthen the heart. Sorrel helps in cancer prevention.

Sorrel is also rich in vitamins A, C and B6, iron, magnesium, potassium, and calcium.

• The high content of dietary fibre adds bulk to food and reduces constipation, diarrhoea, and abdominal cramping.

• Sorrel reduces cholesterol levels.

• The potassium content is significant and acts as a vasodilator, helping to lower blood pressure.

• Sorrel contains flavonoids which function as anti-oxidants seeking out free radicals and helping prevent cancer.

• The vitamin A content in sorrel reduces cataract formation and macular degeneration. It prevents age-related degradation of eyesight.

• The iron content in sorrel increases red blood cell production, helping prevent and boost energy levels and hair growth.

• One cup of sorrel contains 106 per cent of the daily recommended intake of vitamin C. This boosts immunity, helps reduce swelling, and has some pain-relief properties.

• Sorrel leaves when dried and eaten is associated with the reduction of ring worm infections, and when applied topically, reduces rashes and irritation. This is due to the vitamin A and C content.

• Sorrel has a diuretic effect, which is useful in kidney disease.

Sorrel has very significant positive health benefits, so there is no need to stop drinking.

Write to:

Check Up

PO BOX 1731

KGN

email: arnaj56@gmail.com

AJM