It’s Fungal Disease Awareness Week: School Your Children
Most germs like to enter into areas of your body where it is moist and warm. And when they move in, they begin spreading and growing. Fungal diseases are particularly intent on finding such places. Today Dr. Stuart Snyder and Dr. Sara Sharma of Maple Springs Foot Center, LLC are sharing information about fungal diseases that you may want to share with your children.
A common fungal disease that affects children is tinea. In some cases, it leads to athlete's foot, but it can also cause ringworm to develop on other parts of the body.
Fungi are really little living plants. They grow in a lot of places such as on food and in the dirt. They can also grow in the hair, on the skin and even in the nails of almost all living creatures. They appear in several different colors and shapes.
Many fungi are helpful - without their help, we would not have antibiotics like penicillin or cheese. Some of them, however, are bad, like the ones that make food go bad and cause fungal infections like tinea.
What does tinea look like?
Tinea doesn't always look the same - it may develop between the toes and looks like it is peeling and cracking. It can be accompanied by itchy red, blisters or flaky skin along the soles and sides of the feet.
If your child is younger, it is unlikely that they would get tinea on their feet, as it doesn't often affect children under the age of 12. But it can develop on the rest of the body, including on the head.
How to prevent athlete's foot
When a child reaches puberty, they become aware of body odor, and at that point, they are old enough to get athlete's foot. Boys typically contract athlete's foot more often than girls.
Prevent it by:
Washing feet at least once a day.
Be sure to dry your feet really well, particularly between the toes.
Don't wear shoes that are too tight, particularly when it is hot.
Leave your shoes to dry out overnight where the air can get to them.
If your feet get sweaty, wear only cotton or wool socks and change them frequently.
Don't share socks and towels.
If you are using showers in public places, wear thongs on your feet in the shower.
If you think your child might have tinea or any other foot condition, don’t take any chances. Contact the offices of Dr. Stuart Snyder and Dr. Sara Sharma of Maple Springs Foot Center, LLC to schedule an appointment. Call us today us at (301) 762-3338 or book your appointment online. And be sure to share these prevention tips with them!
