HOME HEALTH GUIDE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 December 1942, Page 4

HOME HEALTH GUIDE

ATHLETE'S FOOT.

PROPER TREATMENT NEEDED

(By the Health Department.) We have to thank the East foi’ the common and annoying complaint we know as athlete's foot. It is nothing more than ring worm between the toes, and while in itself it presents no danger, it can give rise to secondary infectious of a serious nature if not properly treated. It is a widespread complaint these days, and one of the most fertile sources of infection is the bathroom floor. In fact, in the United States, bathers in some of the public baths are 1 required to stand for a few minutes with bare, feet in a one per cent solution, of sodium hypochlorite before entering the baths. Dosing of bathmats and floors with an antiseptic solution is ’nother preventive. Any itching or burning sensation between the toes, on the soles, or on the sides of the toes, is a hint of trouble. The-first anoearance of the ringworm is usually denoted by a scaliness, or white sodden skin. There may be redness, with blistering and raw areas, however. When this subsides scaling and thickening follow. When the condition is red, blistering or raw, painting with fresh tincture of iodine will often stop the spread, and in some people seems curative. Whitfield's ointment, which is obtainable from any chemist, is generally regarded as the most effective remedy. Whatever is used, though, the patient should continue the treatment for several weeks after apparent cure, because the ringworm fungus dies hard. Bost preventive measures are to dry between the toes carefully after bathin" and use a boracic acid dusting powder. And avoid wearing othei people’s socks or footwear.