"What Are the 9 Common Remedies for Treating Athletes Foot?"

Beriberi (Foot Odor)

Beriberi (foot odor) arises from the overactive secretion of minor sweat glands in the body. The secretions from these glands, when broken down by bacteria and mold, produce a foul odor. Sweating promotes bacterial growth, thus foot odor is often accompanied by hyperhidrosis.

Treatment Methods for Beriberi

1. For beriberi and athlete's foot, continuously rubbing raw garlic on the affected areas can cure them.

2. Mix vinegar with vanishing cream to form a paste and apply it to the affected areas. For mild cases, one application may suffice; for severe cases, 2-3 applications may be necessary.

3. Washing feet with water boiled with eggplant roots and salt can cure beriberi.

4. When athlete's foot occurs, clean and dry the affected foot first, then apply essential balm to the affected area 1-2 times daily. Usually, visible improvement can be seen within a few applications.

5. Sprinkle cigarette ashes on wet and itchy toes to alleviate blisters and itching between toes.

6. For long-term beriberi, applying toothpaste is highly effective.

7. Green tea contains tannic acid, which has antibacterial properties, particularly effective against tinea pedis.

8. Soak 1000g of medical stone in 2000g of boiling water. Use this water daily to wash feet affected by beriberi, acne, eczema, or miliaria, yielding significant results.

9. Mix 3 doses of Bingpeng Powder with 1 packet of Liuyi Powder. After washing and drying your feet at night, apply the mixture to the affected areas. Visible improvement can be seen within about 3 days.

Causes of Beriberi

1. Fungal Infection: The primary culprit of foot odor is a fungus called Trichophyton rubrum, commonly known as athlete's foot fungus. It produces unpleasant odors after decomposing skin metabolites.

2. Excessive Old Keratin: When permeated by sweat, thick old keratin becomes a nutrient source for bacteria and mold, promoting their proliferation and exacerbating foot odor.

3. Enclosed and Warm Spaces: Tight-fitting shoes with poor ventilation not only increase moisture but also alter the skin's surface pH from its original 4.4 to around 7, releasing carbon dioxide. This environment is optimal for the growth of certain bacteria on the soles.

4. Moist Environment: The soles of the feet are a highly perspiring area, with over 600 sweat glands per square centimeter, 2-4 times more than other body parts. Daily, approximately 250,000 sweat glands secrete nearly 500ml of sweat, which, besides water and salt, contains lactic acid and urea. High moisture levels facilitate bacterial and mold proliferation.

5. Mold Growth: Warm and humid environments promote mold growth, leading to foot odor commonly known as athlete's foot. Symptoms of athlete's foot vary widely, and not all cases involve an unpleasant odor. The most odoriferous type of athlete's foot is hyperhidrotic, characterized by severe foot odor.