If you thought a couch potato would at least be spared of suffering from the ‘athlete's foot' condition… think again! It's got nothing to do with how active or inactive you are. Basically, the skin between the toes becomes itchy, tender, cracked, and burns. It's a fungal infection — or should I say, invasion? Sweaty feet are most vulnerable as the fungus thrives in warm moistness.

Please don't neglect it as it's a pretty persistent and painful problem if left untreated and makes life darned uncomfortable. It's best to consult a doctor and faithfully apply the prescribed anti-fungal cream every day.

If it's in the beginning stages, be sure to slip off your shoes in the office. Keep your feet uncovered and rest them to the max — this is one of those rare times you should not be on your feet! When you do need to walk around, don't walk barefoot. Keep a pair of slippers or sandals for such occasions.

If it has reached an advanced stage, then please skip office, stay home — and remain mostly seated. Avoid errands and household tasks. Keep your feet unshod, high and dry. Putting any pressure on them can worsen the inflammation.

As the condition heals and ‘scabs over', very gently scrub away the dead skin with a soft brush during a bath. After that, wash your feet thoroughly as, unfortunately, that dead skin still holds active fungi and can re-infect your skin. In fact, take precautions to create inhospitable conditions so that the fungus finds it difficult to sneak back in. Some useful tips:

Dry feet. After a bath, always dry your feet thoroughly. If prone to perspiration, it's worth even using the hair-dryer on your feet. When completely dry, apply talcum powder.

Salt them. Every evening, soak your feet in cooled salt water for 10 minutes. Tip: You can also add lemongrass to the water as it heats. Many people have found relief with this wonderful home remedy.

Clean toenails. It's important to scrub and keep the skin under the toenails squeaky clean and dry. Prefer trimmed, short, blunt nails to long ones — it's easier to maintain hygiene.

After-cure care

Most doctors recommend using the anti-fungal cream four weeks after the feet are fine and the symptoms have subsided. This is to prevent a recurrence. Please be patient. It can take anywhere between 45 days to a year to heal completely. It's wise to apply the cream in the hot season and during monsoons. Caution: don't use anti-itch creams. They increase skin moisture and encourage fungal growth.

Wear sandals. Any footwear that traps perspiration is a no-no. Keeping that in mind, discard plastic and rubber footwear, and closed, unventilated footwear. If your office etiquette demands shoes, wear them sparingly. Discreetly slip them off at every opportunity. Wear open sandals as often as possible. Leather (footwear) and cotton (socks) are the safest materials for the beleaguered skin. Tips: Have two pairs of shoes and wear each pair on alternate days. Wipe clean the inside of the shoes with a disinfectant like Dettol. Keep your shoes out in the sun daily. Change your socks twice a day. Powder the inside of your shoes with medicated powder. Spray an anti-perspirant deodorant between your toes.

De-stress. The feet have sweat glands just as palms do. So, if your palms perspire when you're nervous or under pressure, you can be sure your feet do too. So, please keep calm. Tips for de-stressing: Read a spiritually uplifting and mood-calming chapter daily. See how you can apply one principle from it each day. Meditate for three minutes on a thought: “My life is full of bliss” three to six times a day. It'll lift the quality of your day. Thank the Universe for everything. Special de-stressing chant: This is my favourite English chant given to me over the phone by a dear friend:

“Don't let anyone steal your Spirit,

Let it soar and fly on high.

Don't let anyone slow your progress

As you stretch and touch the sky.”

Eat wisely. Avoid spicy, pungent foods that make you break out in a sweat. Also, eat and drink warm — not steaming hot — stuff. Have cooling fruits, fruit juices, buttermilk, cold salads — especially in the summer months. Sip cool water through the day. Avoid alcohol — it accelerates dehydration and makes you sweat more than normal.

Have antibiotics sparingly and only if prescribed by your doctor. The reason: antibiotics kill good bacteria and allow fungi to thrive.

Rev up your immunity. The fungi thrive when the immune system is not at its best. Work on your physical wellbeing by exercising moderately daily. Work on your emotional wellbeing as well: Listen to friends relaxedly without mentally formulating a response while listening. Be openly affectionate and receptive to affection. Be sincere. Drop that mask. Gift yourself the tranquillity of solitude and sensitively gift solitude to others too. Every day, do something that makes you happy. Go on. Plan something for today right away. Be a blessing to yourself.

The writer is co-author of the book ‘Fitness for Life'.

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