Importance of dealing with Athletes Foot

[Pongo]

I had a conversation yesterday with a med consultant who has just finished treating me for the after effects of athletes foot I suffered from at the beginning of September just after the HU France meeting.

We've probably all suffered from this fungal problem over the years, but it can be serious if not treated quickly and effectively with ( cheap) anti fungal powders and/or cream.

In my own case, I had high fever for two days, and a crack under my little toe let in bacteria causing cellulitis, Cellulitis - Mayo Clinic which infected the whole of my right leg within two days. It was red and swollen and very painful. it also affected my kidneys but only mildly thank goodness. However it has taken one month of strong antibiotics to get rid of it.

The consultant suggested that using the powdered form of the anti fungal treatment is best, and not only to powder the feet, but the inside of socks and the inside of riding footwear as a matter of course as a preventative. It's vital to look after your feet and dry them as soon as possible if they get wet, and to take off boots in hot conditions when not being used on the bike, to let the feet breathe and dry between the toes. I know this is ''ideal'' and stating the obvious advice, but it is easy to ignore it and sometimes difficult to follow, but the message is important.

I was lucky to be at home, I could have gone down on the road, and that could have been difficult and potentially very serious if the infection had gone further into the major organs.