athlete's foot, yuck!

[toadstool]

It's gross! It's out of control! I'm 25 wks PG so can't take any oral remedies, and the cream doesn't seem to be having much impact (after 2.5 weeks). In fact, it seems to be spreading to my hands, and one toe on the other foot is starting to itch. It'll probably spread around the family now. I'm finding it difficult to get advice beyond washing hands frequently, drying feet well, and no towel sharing for any purpose. Any advice from wise MNers on controlling the mushroom? It's bad enough avoiding the swimming pool but I've stopped yoga too (convinced it'll spread onto the mats). Great, first headlice, and now this...

[Furball]

I found Boots own athelete foot powder twice a day cured mine, But I wasn't pregnant, so check with the pharmacist if safe to use.

[3littlefrogs]

Qick list of suggestions here:

Separate toels and bath mat, all washed in a hot wash, store away from those used by rest of family. Use the powder and the cream.

Keep your socks on all the time - to cover the area so it doesn't get into your bed linen etc. Obviously change them frequently and hot wash, sparately from other washing.

You need to sprinkle the powder into your shoes, slippers etc, overnight, and alternate the shoes you wear so the fungus has a chance to die off.

Disinfect the bath, shower etc every time you use. Try dabbing with the towel then drying your feet with a hairdryer rather than rubbing with a towel - less risk of breaking the skin.

Are you sure you haven't got a secondary bacterial infection / allergy to the treatment?

What treatment are you using?
HTH

[3littlefrogs]

Have you seen your doctor or are you buying stuff OTC? After this length of time I would advise checking with GP.

[cornsilk]

Tea tree oil is good - has worked on mine.

[brightwell]

I have a friend who is a chiropodist, she always reccommends cider vinegar, wipe inside of shoes with neat cder vinegar, put them in a sealed bin bag & leave over night. If it doesn't work you can always use the bottle of vinegar for salad dressings!

[suedonim]

Potassium pomanganate powder dissolved in warm water and used as a foot soak is an old-fashioned remedy. I don't know about using it in pg - you'd need to consult a chemist.

[misdee]

i have it as well, and a reflexology appt in 10 days, i am going to have to cancel arent i? i am using the spray, which worked great last time.

[toadstool]

Many thanks for your advice, I'm off to disinfect the bathtub! Misdee, which spray are you using? I'm using a cream and powder I got OTC in France, which were given the nod by the GP when I saw him 2 weeks ago. I don't think I've got a secondary infection, but I suspect my immunity is lower, being PG, and I'm also probably hotter and sweatier than usual, also thanks to the pregnancy. I don't fancy wearing socks all the time in this weather, but I'll take up the suggestion of the cider vinegar treatment for shoes (MUST be safe!). I'll also give the tea tree oil a go, as I think that's safe for PG ladies.