by Michy Lynn

Created on: April 06, 2009

Preventing a Foot Infection is Easy, Treating One Might Not Be!

Two summers ago, I spent a lot of time walking around barefoot. Nothing unusual about that; it's my habit to go barefoot. I hate shoes. Unfortunately, going barefoot left me wide open for cuts and scrapes on my feet. I've had cuts and scrapes before, and usually the cut heals right up and goes away without even leaving a scar. Sadly, last summer, that was not the case.

I ended up with a bacterial infection. Of course, at the time, I had no idea it was a bacterial infection. It started off simply as a small cut that was taking too long to heal. Soon after, the cut became inflamed, and then was hot to the touch, turned reddish, and didn't look as though it was going to heal any time soon.

Eventually, the infection worsened, and though I'd cleaned it, dressed it and put antibiotic creams on the cut, the infection spread and I had to go to the doctor. It was the absolute worst infection I've ever had to deal with, and ended up with me in the hospital for IV antibiotics.

If I'd gone to the doctor sooner, or cared for the cut sooner, something, I could have avoided all of that. So that's why I wanted to talk to you today about how to care for a foot infection, whether you have a cut or not, and let you know when you should go to the doctor.

Prevent Foot Infections

The best way to deal with foot infections is to prevent them altogether. Wear shoes any time you'll be in a situation where your feet might get cut or scraped. Wash feet whenever you've walked barefoot before you put your shoes back on or when you come inside. If you do get cut, clean the cut immediately, preferably with antibiotic soap or a wash. Soap and water will do the trick if nothing else is available.

Watch Cuts on Feet Carefully to Prevent Foot Infections

If you do have a cut on your foot, keep it clean, keep it dry, and watch it closely. The cut can look perfectly normal for days, and flare up suddenly. Once infection sets in, the cut can worsen very quickly or it might take days. If you watch the cut closely, you'll be able to tell if there is an infection much faster, before any symptoms of a foot infection happen.

Non-cut Foot Infections

Athlete's foot, other fungal infections, and yeast infections can happen to the foot, even if there is no cut or fissure in the skin. Watch for signs of drying, itching, cracking, burning or any puss or weird growth or discharge from the skin, paying particular attention
to the skin between the toes.

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