In these months it is when our children have more risk of get fungal infections or foot viruses, given that they spend a lot of time with bare feet in public spaces where characteristics such as humidity and the daily assistance of many people concur.
We talk about swimming pools and water parks fundamentally, and the greatest risk of infection is in the changing rooms, although we can also catch mushrooms in other areas of the facilities, such as outdoor showers. As reported by the European Association of Integrative Polology, in the summer months, plantar papilloma is the main infection of the feet.
It is an injury caused by a subtype of the human papillomavirus with tumor-like manifestation (it is benign). It can only live on the skin, so it doesn't take root like mushrooms: we can observe them alone or in groups. The population group with the highest incidence is children over five years old, and especially between 12 and 16 years old. The appearance of warts caused by this papilloma is skin color (or perhaps darker), they may be small at first and grow later. On the sole of the foot they form layered circles, and if they cause pain it is due to pressure when standing or walking.
Not only plantar papilloma
Because as we said, the infection may be due to fungi, the best known to all of us is commonly known as 'athlete's foot', which is also called tinea podal, and is more common in adolescents than in young children. It will appear between the 4th and 5th toes. Athlete's foot is like other fungi in other areas of the body: itching, redness, cracks and scales on the foot.
We also know of the 'ringworm of the nails' (especially for television commercials of products to fight nail fungus) that is not common in young children; and in a special form of fungus visible around the nail, the appearance is red and with a lot of swelling, it is called paronychia. Nails discolored or yellowed, cracked or detached from the skin, they can be a symptom of a fungus that directly affects them.
A humid environment is ideal for them to reproduce, and if it is hot even more Once the infection is contracted, the most sensible thing is to go to the doctor to prescribe the appropriate treatment and advice, without forgetting that in the pharmacy they can also advise you with a lot professionalism
Prevention measures
Needless to say, when we get into any locker room, we can't go barefoot, since keeping the foot isolated from the source of potential infections is necessary to avoid getting them. Nowadays we can choose between different models of sandals or rubber clogs, but also in the market there are latex socks, very useful also so that the little ones do not slip.
When a family member has a foot infection, will not share (or play) your shoes with anyone else, and strive to maintain strict foot hygiene (in addition to the treatment proposed by the doctor). We must be careful not to share your shower towels or dry your foot with anyone else, and if they are clueless, we better go after them to pick them up and wash them after use.
Nor can you exchange utensils used for personal hygiene such as nail clippers, or scissors, it is better to discard them once the treatment is finished.
We will try to wash all our nails often, especially, the person who has fungi, and the one who takes care of their care (taking into account that we talk about children, it is convenient not to delegate all the care to them).
Finally, comment that the feet should be taken care of for many reasons, since when going barefoot (or wearing inappropriate shoes) they are also exposed to wounds or blisters. It is very important to wash them well when returning home, drying carefully, and without neglecting hydration; There are talcum powder with antibiotic properties that can be used in case of people who are usually the target of fungal infections in the feet, help to improve and also maintain.
In this case it can be affirmed that the most suitable type of footwear (except for the moments in which they must step in swimming pools or water parks) would be open or semi-open, but of natural fabrics, although there are canvas shoes that also perspire well. And especially if they wear socks, we will try to change them twice a day.
