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Suggest Remedies For Athlete's Foot

Posted on Wed, 2 Nov 2016

Question: Athletes foot turning into athletes hand. I am currently trying hard to cure my mild to moderate athletes foot and unfortunately it has spread to my pointer finger on my right hand. I caught it early I think because this is the only spot on my hand and it consists of the same scaling, pink, itchy, and clear fluid pustules that burn and itch once open. Which I have NOT opened them. I have been soaking this finger in a hydrogen peroxide and water soak to sanitize the finger, completely dry, and then Lotrimin ultra for treatment. I'm terrified this will spread like wild fire on my hand not to mention my big toe toe nail is now infected as I'm seeing it turn slightly yellow and thicken. I have had this foot looked at by two doctors and both have said it's classic athletes foot. Both prescribed cream but it cleared up only once. I know the toe nail is a lost cause to cream, but until I can get to the doctor what are some at home things I can do to prevent it from spreading or possibly curing it on my finger?

Answered by Dr. Mahaveer Patil (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
maintain good hygiene

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Welcome to HEALTHCARE MAGIC..

How was your day?

Hope this message finds you in good health.

I have gone through your query in detail and understand your concern.

its good that you have picked up and anticipated the disease so early before it could spread on the hands.

athelets foot/hand can be treated effectively by maintaining good hygiene.
this is the most important thing. its a type of fungal infection and local anti fungal creams like clotrimazole/miconazole should help.. The associated inflammation can be effectively treated with steroid creams.

PRECAUTION - when you have applied cream or dressed the foot lesion, make sure you wash your hands with a good antispetic and then apply the cream for the hand lesion, to prevent rapid spread of the infection from feet to hands.

oral antifungal tablets like flucanazole and antibiotics will help resolve the lesion faster

soak the lesion in salt water or diluted vinegar to dry up the lesions.

tea tree oil can also be used if your skin is not sensitive to it.

it would be better if you could post the photos of the lesion
I hope your question has been answered.

Feel free to consult me anytime for follow-up queries.

Take care,God bless.
Wish you a healthy life : )

If you do not have any clarifications,you can close the discussion.

Kind Regards..

Dr Mahaveer Patil, (MBBS,MS,Mch)

In future,you can contact me DIRECTLY on - http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-mahaveer-patil/71222

- If you were satisfied and happy with my answer ,PLEASE RATE THIS ANSWER AND LEAVE YOUR SINCERE FEEDBACK .

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Mahaveer Patil (18 hours later)

Thank you for your reply. I greatly appreciate it. I have included three photos in the updated reports section, there is one showing the sole of my foot. As you will see it is mild and usually doesn't get much worse than the powder and scales. Though I will get the little clear fluid blisters that will itch like crazy every once in a while.
There is a photo showing my big toe. This is the worst it has been and itches after a warm to almost hot shower.
The last picture is of my finger I tried very hard to take one where you could see the tiny blisters similar to the ones I will get on my foot. I circled it in hopes to show you better. This is day two after doing the 10 minute water/peroxide soak followed with the Lotrimin ultra cream immediately after completely drying, twice a day. So I must say I'm seeing results already and the blisters are hard to see now compared to days past.
I no longer use my bare hands to clean my feet so I use latex gloves, at least on the hand not infected. I'm afraid my infected hand will sweat and lengthen my recovery so I don't even use it for treating my foot. I did this the moment I found infection on my finger....it's a shame I didn't think of it sooner! Lol. But I for some reason didn't think about it going to my hand.

Answered by Dr. Mahaveer Patil (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
you are already recovering

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome back

i have gone through your photos. the good thing is that the inflammation is almost gone now. the lesions seem to be recovering.

the big toe lesion will be very slow to recover as the nail is involved. nails have very less blood supply,so they tend to recover very slowly.

otherwise,the other two lesions are showing good signs of healing.
you will be fine soon.

Rest,continue taking care as you have been doing till now. No change in treatment

I hope your question has been answered.

If you have any follow-up queries,feel free to consult me anytime.

If you do not have any clarifications,you can close the discussion. Wish you a good health.Have a great day : )

Take care,God bless.

YOUR RATING FOR THIS ANSWER MATTERS A LOT AND WILL BE HIGHLY APPRECIATED.

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D