Yo love fungus. I love taking photos of Toadstools, fodder, eating fungi and discussing whether the mycelium is really outer space. However, struggle the line to grow it.
Unfortunately, foot fungus is a common problem for hikers, particularly for hikers. This is because it thrives with sweaty and thick socks, and rude sweat socks are some of our entire environment.
The two most common culprits are the fungus of the feet (onychomycosis) and the foot of the athlete (Tinea Pedis), which can make walking uncomfortable. And taking into account how difficult it is to keep your feet clean and dry along the way, they are notoriously difficult to treat.
We have done a deep immersion in everything a hiker needs to know about the fungus of the foot: what it is, how to avoid it and how to manage it to miles from civilization.
Ed. Note: We are hikers, not doctors. Information in this publication is not medical advice; Always consult a qualified medical care provider with respect to medical conditions.
What exactly is the fungus of the foot?
Photo: Jake Greenwood
Foot fungus It is a type of feet skin infection, generally caused by dermatophytes. These fungi feed on keratin, skin protein, hair and nails. There are several different types of foot fungi:
Nail fungus
This usually begins as a small white or yellow spot under its nail. As it extends, the nail is thick, it becomes yellow brown and begins to splinter. To begin with, the fungus of the nails is often painless, but it can begin to hurt, since it makes the skin under the nail influence.
Athlete’s foot
The space between the fingers of the feet is a warm and sweaty paradise for the dermatophytes. The athlete’s foot is an infection in that area that causes itching, redness, peeled and ampoules. It can be extremely painful, as if your fingers break each other with each step.
How fungal infections are propagated
Fungi love wet, dark environments, like their hiking shoes after a rainy day. You can also collect infections when walking barefoot in showers or communal swimming pools, sharing equipment or direct contact with someone who has a fungal infection. So stop intertwining fingers with your path of paths (not only because of the fungus, too … ICK).
The fungus of the foot is very common. Around 10% of the general population It is suffered, a number that jumps to 50% in people over 70 years.
It is easy to imagine why hikers are particularly prone to this issue. We spend long days in sweaty shoes and we have limited options to wash and dry our feet. Sometimes we sleep in communal cabins, shelters and shelters, sharing baths and drying shelves on the path.
Once you have it, you can even extend the fungus from the foot to other parts of your body. Dry the feet and then use the same towel in your groin, for example, you can lead to the itching of athlete: a burning eruption in its internal thighs, the groin or the crack in the top. What sounds … incredibly unpleasant. If you take away a thing of this «sexy» article, let it be: never touch your feet before your balls.
Prevention on the road
The best way to handle the fungus of the foot on the road is, of course, avoid getting it. And there are some ways to reduce risks.
If you have ever suffered the fungus of the feet or nails of the athletes, It is more likely to get it again, Therefore, it is even more important to follow these steps whenever I can.
Take care of your Tootsies
We have established that the fungus loves wet, warm and packaged feet. It is the most important thing to reduce the risk of feet fungi, dry and transmit your tootsies. Some good ways to do this on the way:
- Wash and dry your feet daily, even between the fingers of your feet. If the water is scarce, use alcohol or disinfectant wipes.
- Keep your nails cut. Cut them directly through the sides. Do not cut them too long, since it can damage the nail and make an opening so that the fungi settle.
- Let your feet air in the breaks. Take off your boots and socks, let them breathe and dry your feet.
- Consider exchange dry socks during the day. You can hang the first pair in your package to dry.
- Never forget your camp shoes when you walk in communal areas such as huts or mountain bathrooms.
- Consider eliminating shoes and socks for crosses of soft rivers, and dried feet completely before replacing them. It used to be the team «Wet your shoes and treatment», but fungi have spoken. Ed. Note: Use your best judgment here. For more complicated Fords, the immediate risk of being swept will probably will have priority and want shoes for better traction.
Choose the right team
Again, we are looking to reduce moisture and increase breathability, so keep in mind that when collecting your equipment.
- Opt moisture reduction materials for your socks, such as merine wool or synthetic mixtures.
- Make sure your shoes fit well and are breathable. Avoid waterproof coatings that can catch the moisture of the feet inside the shoe. Waterproof socks are not recommended either if it is prone to foot fungi.
- Barefoot shoes apologists say they also reduce the risk of athlete’s foot, since their fingers have more space to breathe.
- Alternate hiking and hiking sandals throughout the day to let your feet breathe. I often do this in less techniques of trails that do not imply fighting. Hiking sandals double like my camp shoes.
Detect the first warning signals
There is a lot in your mind when you are on the way. Small discomfort can be easily forgotten in the midst of general fatigue, sore muscles and that feeling of sand and resilience that is delivered between endorphins, so it is possible that you do not notice the first signs of the fungus of the foot.
But being attentive is a great idea, since catching the first signs of fungi can make it easier to treat before it becomes a complete problem. Here are some things to consider:
- White or yellow spots or patches on your nail
- Your tightening in the finger or that becomes fragile
- Itching, bite or ardor between the fingers of the feet
- Peel the skin on the fingers of the feet
If any of these symptoms note, double the transmission and dry feet whenever possible, and consider collecting some topical medications the next time it is in the city.
How to treat the fungus on the path on the path
The fungus of the foot is notoriously difficult to treat, and unfortunately, to have him once again prone to him in the future. Fortunately, there are some medications that can try to repair the damage.
Common treatments for standing fungi
Foot medications Come in two ways: topics to apply to the affected area and oral medications.
Topical medications include cyclopyrox, efinaconazole and tavaborole. They are liquid solutions that brush in their nail daily for six to twelve months.
Oral antifungal medications require a recipe. The options include terbinafina, itraconazole and fluconazole. You must take the medicine every day for several months (or more). The disadvantage is that these medications can affect their liver. In some cases, the cure can be worse than the disease.
In severe cases, doctors can also recommend surgery for feet fungi. They would withdraw the nail completely so that a healthy can grow in their place.
What to do on the way
If you are on a walk of several days, you will probably have to wait before you have access to the medications you need. Meanwhile, keep the area clean and dry. Wash and dry your socks if you can. You can also try a salt water rinse to help limit infection.
During this time, a great priority is to prevent the fungus from spreading. When you dress, put the socks before the rest of your clothes, including your underwear. If you wear a package towel or you are in a shelter, use a separate cloth to dry your feet instead of the same towel. And always wear your camp shoes instead of walking barefoot in communal areas to avoid spreading the fungus to others.
In general, you can wait a few days before receiving treatment, but consult a doctor immediately if the symptoms worse suddenly, it has a lot of pain or has diabetes or circulation problems.
A final note for happy feet
The fungus of the foot is not the most sexy part of hiking. In fact, he is at the height of drinking the Swill of Graywater after washing his pot and realizing that his tan was actually only dirt while showering in the first shower in days.
Even so, it is worth paying attention. A little daily care of the feet, dry, exchange socks, broadcast your shoes, you can save weeks of discomfort and a lot of ICK. If you get the foot of the foot or athlete’s nails, do not scare. Keep things clean, stop the propagation and get the right treatment when you can.
Your feet are the unrecognized heroes of each walk, which take you through rainy storms, mountains in mountains and each view of amazing (and each questionable toilet). Show them a little love, and they will continue to take where you want to go, hopeless without any fungal self -esteet.
Outstanding image: photo via Janel Gazelle; Graphic design by Mackenzie Fischer.
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