Fungus and mold have a purpose in Nature — to break down dead plants (and animals) and convert them into the basic nutrients that can feed new life. A fungus is a plant-like organism with a heavy cell wall structure that contains no chlorophyll, cannot produce energy for itself by photosynthesis, and must seek its own nutrients from surrounding soil or dead plant or animal cells. A fungus will induce the decomposition of these nearby dead cells by releasing digestive enzymes and absorb the nutrients which are the product of decomposition.
Fungus can also attack live cells. You may have noticed fungal growth on the leaves of rose bushes or garden plants that are being over-watered. However, when fungi enter your body and attack your tissues, you have a problem.
Fungi are most prevalent on the human foot. They are usually caused by walking barefoot on wet contaminated floors such as bathrooms shared with others (gymnasiums), pool decks, tiled kitchens, and anywhere that persons already infected with this fungus may have contaminated the floor. When they multiply in this area, the fungus can eat through the outer layer of skin and establish a colony within deeper layers of the skin. When you see cracks developing in the skin between your toes, this is typically the result of fungi and is known as Athlete’s Foot. While uncomfortable, Athlete’s Foot is not considered systemic and does not spread to other areas of your body.
Some people have more natural resistance to foot fungus than others. Unlike bacteria, an Athlete’s Foot infection does not provide you with immunity against future infection.
Pharmaceutical remedies: Well-known over-the-counter remedies for Athlete’s Foot include the 3 big names: Lamisil; Lotrimin; and Tinactin. Typically, these remedies may help the skin cracks, itching and redness disappear … for a while. Usually, the colony of fungi deep within the skin of the foot will reestablish itself within a month or two causing the cracking of the skin and all the symptoms to reappear.
Non-medicinal Chemical remedies: Less well-known is that Head and Shoulders shampoo is antifungal and can be applied to your feet. A very dilute chlorox foot bath (1-2 tablepoons/ half gallon water) can make an antifungal foot soak.
Natural Remedies: Wear open shoes with or without (dry) socks to prevent the moisture accumulating on your feet. Fungi loves to grow in warm and moist environments. One home remedy is – to apply dilute white vinegar (1 part vinegar with 4 parts water) to the affected areas of the feet several times a day. Vinegar is a natural antifungal. A natural homeopathic and very effective remedy is Seagate’s OliveViate, a natural homeopathic remedy for Athlete’s Foot that is chemical free and will attack Athlete’s Foot.
Whatever method of treatment you choose, the earlier you begin, the less opportunity you give the fungi to establish a deep colony or to spread to other toes. Care should be taken to apply the treatment to the nearby toenails in order to prevent the fungi from spreading under the nails. Once the fungi enter beneath the toenails, this will be much more difficult to remove. Should this situation occur, then the combination of taking Olive Leaf Extract and applying the OliveViate around the nail usually usually helps. This situation can take over a month to begin to see results with the nail.
There are other ways of soaking your feet other than in a solution of chlorox bleach. Your can take a dive off the coast of Bonaire and have a photo session with a Banded Butterflyfish.
Notice that the black band across the head of this fish also crosses its eye. This helps to camouflage this species.
