Dermatitis and fungus are the most common lesions on the feet after prolonged exposure to humidity caused by contact with mud and wearing rubber boots for many hours. Replacement socks and drying your feet well are the advice that podiatrists offer to volunteers and people affected by dana during cleaning activities in the affected areas.
<img width="900" height="600" class="attachment-newpress-featured-large size-newpress-featured-large wp-post-image lazyload" alt="Las lesiones en los pies de los voluntarios de la dana: dermatitis y hongos" decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" data-attachment-id="360551" data-permalink="https://efesalud.com/dana-pies-lesiones-voluntarios-dermatitis-hongos/pies-dana-voluntarios-valencia-barro/" data-orig-file=" data-orig-size="900,600" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="pies-dana-voluntarios-valencia-barro" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="
Volunteers clean the streets of Masanasa (Valencia) affected by the dana. EFE/Ana Escobar
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Volunteers clean the streets of Masanasa (Valencia) affected by the dana. EFE/Ana Escobar
The floods caused in the Valencian Community and in Castilla-La Mancha, which caused more than two hundred deaths, dozens of people missing and extensive material damage, have led to the arrival of volunteers who help remove stagnant water and mud from the dana and this causes risks of infections, injuries and even damage to the feet.
Him Official College of Podiatry of the Valencian Community indicates that the most frequent injuries to the feet after prolonged exposure to humidity are:
Dermatitis: This is an inflammation of the skin, an allergic reaction caused by contact with rubber, glue or elastic parts of shoes. Symptoms are burning, mild redness, swollen, blistered and irritated skin.
Fungi on the skin: Like athlete’s foot, which is a fungal skin infection that usually starts between the toes. More common in people with a high level of sweating and symptoms is a scaly, itchy rash.
Bacterial infections: Keratolysis Punctacta is an infection of the stratum corneum of the skin of the feet caused by bacteria. It mainly affects adolescents, young adults and men. The most frequent symptoms are excessive sweating and plantar bromhidrosis (bad odor), which sometimes lead to keratolytic skin lesions (small dimples).
Onychomycosis: Wearing closed, non-breathable shoes for prolonged periods, keeping the foot moistened by sweat or water, also favors the appearance of toenail fungus. Furthermore, onychomycosis is more common in older people, because it is common for them to have circulatory problems and slower nail growth, or to have a weak immune system (chronic diseases, diabetes, psoriasis, etc.).
The Valencian College of Podiatrists warns that if an anomaly of this type is detected in the feet, it is important to apply the appropriate treatment in each case to stop its progression and it is important that the diagnosis is made correctly by a professional.
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Boots and shoes covered in mud left by the dana in Sedaví (Valencia). EFE/Ana Escobar
” data-medium-file=” data-large-file=” alt=”dana feet” class=”wp-image-360550 lazyload” style=”width:708px;height:auto” src=” srcset=” 900w, 300w, 768w” data-sizes=”auto” data-eio-rwidth=”900″ data-eio-rheight=”600″/>Boots and shoes covered in mud left by the dana in Sedaví (Valencia). EFE/Ana Escobar
Guidelines for healthy feet after activities by dana
Los Valencian podiatrists provide a series of tips for using footwear you are not used to, such as rubber boots, and with prolonged exposure to a humid environment.
«The first thing we must do is try to protect our feet from humidity, to keep them dry and insulated, for this waterproof boots or the use of footwear made of waterproof materials are necessary», explains the podiatrist and member of the board. of the directors of the aforementioned professional association, Jorge Escoto.
It is essential to wear suitable socks that protect and keep your feet dry, as the plastic in boots causes increased sweating.
“We recommend volunteers to bring spare socks and, if they get wet, to change them as soon as possible,” explains the podiatrist.
Also, if you haven’t been able to protect your feet from water or mud with insulating shoes, you should:
- Wash Wash your feet after the day with a neutral soap and warm water.
- Dry correctly with particular attention to the spaces between the fingers.
- Apply to cream moisturizing.
Interview: The Impact of Flooding on Foot Health
Interviewer: Welcome to Time.news! Today, we’re discussing a vital health issue affecting volunteers working in flood recovery efforts, particularly concerning foot health. We’re lucky to have Dr. Maria Rocha, a podiatrist from the Official College of Podiatry of the Valencian Community. Dr. Rocha, thank you for joining us!
Dr. Rocha: Thank you for having me. It’s essential to raise awareness about the risks faced by those helping during such crises.
Interviewer: The recent floods in the Valencian Community and Castilla-La Mancha have resulted in significant challenges. Can you explain the specific foot conditions that volunteers are experiencing?
Dr. Rocha: Absolutely. The most common issues we’re seeing among volunteers are dermatitis and fungal infections, primarily due to prolonged exposure to humidity from mud and the continuous wearing of rubber boots. The combination creates a perfect environment for skin irritation and infections.
Interviewer: Fascinating, and quite alarming. What exactly is dermatitis, and how does it manifest in those affected?
Dr. Rocha: Dermatitis is essentially an inflammation of the skin. It can be triggered by prolonged contact with materials in rubber boots, leading to symptoms like burning sensations, redness, swelling, and blistering. Volunteers need to recognize these symptoms early to prevent worsening conditions.
Interviewer: I see. And what about fungal infections? How prevalent are these, and what type of symptoms should people look out for?
Dr. Rocha: Fungal infections like athlete’s foot are very common in humid environments, especially among those sweating excessively. Symptoms typically include an intense itch and a scaly, rash-like appearance, usually starting between the toes. It’s essential for individuals to dry their feet thoroughly and change socks regularly to mitigate risks.
Interviewer: That sounds critical, especially for volunteers who are spending long hours in wet conditions. Are there any other infections that people should be aware of?
Dr. Rocha: Yes, definitely. We also encounter bacterial infections like Keratolysis Punctata, which affects young adults and is characterized by excessive foot sweating and foot odor. There’s also onychomycosis, a fungal infection of the toenails that can develop when feet are kept damp in non-breathable shoes.
Interviewer: That’s certainly a spectrum of potential issues. What advice would you give volunteers working in these conditions to protect their foot health?
Dr. Rocha: First and foremost, it’s crucial to replace socks frequently and ensure feet are thoroughly dried after exposure to water or mud. They should consider wearing breathable footwear whenever possible. If anyone notices any anomalies in their feet, seeking professional advice promptly can significantly help in managing and preventing worsening conditions.
Interviewer: Great advice! It’s evident that awareness is key for these volunteers, who are selflessly giving their time. What resources are available for them to learn more about foot health in these scenarios?
Dr. Rocha: The Official College of Podiatry provides educational resources and advice tailored to those engaged in disaster relief efforts. We encourage volunteers to reach out for information about proper foot care and treatment options available.
Interviewer: Thank you, Dr. Rocha, for this enlightening discussion. Your insights are invaluable to those on the front lines of flood recovery efforts.
Dr. Rocha: Thank you for having me. It’s crucial to ensure that those helping others in need take care of their own health as well.
Interviewer: And to our audience, stay safe and informed! Until next time on Time.news.