Athlete's foot

 

Athlete's foot

Athlete's foot (alipunga or dermatophytosis) is an eruption on

the skin characterized by the formation of itchy small vesicles

with cracking and scaling on the hands and feet, especially

between the toes.

Preventive Measures

1. Keep feet and toes always clean and dry.

2. Always wear clean and dry socks and shoes.

3. Don't wear others' slippers, sneakers, socks and shoes. Don't

let others wear your footwear.

4. Don't go barefoot in the bathroom. Wear your own rubber

slippers in public bathrooms, swimming pools and river beds.

5. If your feet are infected, put your slippers and shoes under the

sun for one hour every day for one week when not in use.

Water Treatments Using Herbal Decoctions

1. Makabuhay vine hot foot bath

● Chop a one-foot long portion of the vine and boil in 5 glasses

of water for 15 minutes.

Soak the infected foot in the hot decoction for 15 minutes

or as can be tolerated. While foot is soaked, rub between the

toes with cotton applicators, removing the dead skin and

pricking the vesicles. Soak for 10 more minutes after the

removal of the dead skin. Soak foot 2 times a day for severe

infections; otherwise, soak once a day only. Please see page

47 for hot foot bath procedure.

Precautions: Athlete's foot is very contagious. It can infect

the fingers and the other foot. The towel used for drying the

feet and toes should not be used to dry other parts of the

body. Use cotton applicators to remove dead skin. Wash

very well the basin used for soaking.

2. Akapulko leaves

● Crush young leaves and extract juice.

Apply the juice directly between the toes and the other

affected areas after the hot foot bath in the Makabuhay

decoction.

3. Kamantigui flowers poultice

● Chop flowers.

Apply as poultice on infected part after hot foot bath in the

Makabuhay decoction.

4. Balanoy leaves

● Chop leaves and extract juice.

Apply the juice directly on the affected part after hot foot

bath in the Makabuhay decoction.

5. Kanya Pistula (Golden Showers) leaves

● Crush young leaves and extract juice 

Apply on the affected part after hot foot bath in the

Makabuhay decoction.

6. Rabanus tubers

. Chop tubers and extract juice.

Apply juice on the affected parts, 2 times a day.

7. Bawang (for itchiness)

● Peel one clove and chop.

Rub on the itchy areas, 2 times a day.