SOME FACTS ABOUT
OUR FEET
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| IEach foot has 250,000 sweat glands
and produces about a cup (500 ml) of sweat daily.
Daily hygiene is essential. Excessive perspiration
makes the feet a breeding ground for bacteria, fungi
and viruses, thus leading to foot problems such as
foot odour, Athlete’s feet and wart infections.
Foot odour arises due to the decomposition of protein
within the skin, by growing bacteria producing gases.
A fungal infection (Athlete’s feet) will worsen
the condition.
One of the ways to treat foot odour is to apply mild antiseptic
solutions that kill the bacteria and fungus and at the
same time dries the feet.
FOOT PROBLEMS
TINEA
Dermatophytosis (tinea) is a fungal infection caused by dermatophytes,
a group of fungi (ringworm) that invade the dead keratin of skin, hair,
and nails. Several species of dermatophytes infect humans; these belong
to the Epidermophyton, Microsporum, and Trichophyton genera. Tinea
is often picked up in communal areas, such as public showers.
Athlete’s Foot (Tinea pedis) is an example of skin
disease caused by dermatophytes. It usually shows up as
redness and scaling between the toes. The fungus grows
in the warm moist atmosphere when feet aren't dried off
or when they get very sweaty.
PAPILLOMAS
Warts are skin growth caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) that can
be caught by touching an infected site on a person. They are commonly
picked up from public showers and swimming pools.
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