Introduction:
Toe fungus can simply be described as a fungal infection of the feet, affecting any of the area such as the toes, or in between the toes or the walking surface of the feet. The infection is not so common as I may describe it but when it strikes, the remedy that works are also not so common.
Symptoms:
The only serious and disturbing symptom is the intence itching and sadly, before it begins to itch, the fungal has done much harm. Fungus are not bacterias, neither are they germs, making it difficult to treat. Using antibiotics may reduce its trouble for a few days but neither kills nor destroys the fungus. Fungi can affect other parts of the body and sometimes, depending on the affected area, the name could change, sometimes affecting the female private part, it is called candida or candidiasis, irrespective of the name, the agent is the same. It seems to affect people with less care for their body, though some people with certain habit and or lifestyle are easily susceptible to the infection, for instance those walking with water like washing dishes or clothes or other such jobs must dry the areas before bed to avoid fungal infection of either the hands or toes.
It seems not to be life threatening initially, simply seen as just affecting the feet. However, there is nothing left unchecked that wont threaten life. If you have even been through the experience of toe fungus, you will agree that if not treated will treaten life especially when it begins to interfere with your sleep at night, remember that anything that interferes with your sleep is threatening your life already. Toe fungus has ability to do that. The best bet is to prevent it for prevention is always better than cure.
Common Causes:
1. Dampness and wetness of the feet area: The most common causes are: Wetness and Dampness, they love wet and damp aress, if you expose your feet or other parts of the body, they can start growing in the area without you knowing, since they take time a little without pains or other discomfort until the itching starts which is usually gradual.
2. Tight shoes or socks for a long time without air:
Very tight shoes and sucks that packs the toes tightly without allowing air also creates a suitable environment for their growth, especially if worn frequently without changing to another shape, this habit was actually one of the things that sponsored what I often refer to as the most challenging and stubborn ailment since I began this journey, next was toothache. Why it came first is that, in case of toothache, once the affected tooth is removed, the recovery is fast and within days, toe infection is not so.
3. Consuming certain foods or nuts that encouages mold:
Consuming certain nuts in large amount regularly like peanuts, and or roasted african breadfruit known as (Ukwa) can contribute to its growth and much sugars and carbohydrate whether processed or natural makes it worse.
4. Poor hygiene of the feet :
If the feet is often dirty and unchecked especially at night or wearing tight or damp sucks at bedtime can encourage its growth. Foot hygiene is important whether you are trying to heal or prevent it.
Here are the exact things I did in order to heal
The healing lasted for almost 11months to 12 months with consistency. The first was foot soaking:
1. Foot soaking:
After trying foot powders and antifungal creams and no result, it dawn on me that this requires more seriousness than I was thinking. Using about 4 tablespoons of sea salt and some white salt ( because of economic reason I added white salt) in a basin and add freshly boiled water, add few drops of antifungal essential oil, tried lemon, no much result, tried mint, not much then used tea tree oil which gave the first sign of relief from itching so I stayed with it, every evening I soaked my feet in diluted boiled water, with sea salt and drops of tea tree oil and allow both feet to stay soaked for about 35 to 40 minutes. This I continued daily for weeks until result started showing gradually by the reduced itching especially at bedtime.
2. Change slippers and some shoes:
Another major step was to identify some regularly worn footwears that packs my feet tight and put them away and went for skippers which allows free air in and out of the toes.
3. Change diet
Looking into my diet was the next major change. Since I do not take simple sugars, I dropped honey noticing it to be fake and contributing to elevated blood sugar which can feed disease such as that. Peanut was feeding it, so also was the African breadfruit (Ukwa)which I was consuming frequently then with cashews and other seeds, I stopped some temporarily and reduced my carbohydrates to reduce sugar too.
4. Checking and keeping my feet dry especially at bedtime.
Till date, it has become one of my bedtime habits to check the feet and occasionally soak the feet with salt like every 2 months or as need arises.
Summary
The above steps are what helped me heal and have remained healed of this sturbborn ailment called toe fungus. Never at any time did I try over the counter antibiotics but raw garlic and ginger, peppers were regular in my diet.
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