What should I do about athlete's foot during the postpartum confinement period?

Foot fungus generally refers to tinea pedis (athlete's foot). During the postpartum recovery period, symptoms of tinea pedis can be treated and relieved through maintaining personal hygiene, adjusting diet, topical medications, occlusion therapy, and ultraviolet irradiation.

1. Maintain Personal Hygiene

It is recommended to wear shoes with good breathability and wash feet daily with warm water. Keep the feet clean and dry. In public places such as swimming pools and bathrooms, avoid using shared slippers, towels, and other items to prevent cross-infection.

2. Adjust Diet

Avoid consuming spicy or irritating foods and alcohol in daily meals, as these may stimulate the body, cause excessive sweating, and hinder symptom recovery.

3. Topical Medications

Under a doctor's guidance, apply topical antifungal agents such as clotrimazole cream, miconazole nitrate cream, or compound benzenesulfonic acid ointment. These medications help soften the skin, inhibit or kill fungi, and improve symptoms.

4. Occlusion Therapy

After applying topical medication, under medical supervision, cover the treated area with a plastic bag or cling film. This helps soften the skin, enhances drug absorption, and improves the antifungal effect, thereby reducing symptoms.

5. Ultraviolet Irradiation

If the above methods fail to effectively relieve symptoms, ultraviolet irradiation treatment may be administered by a qualified healthcare professional. Utilizing its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, UV light can suppress fungal growth and alleviate discomfort caused by tinea pedis.

Individuals with tinea pedis should seek timely medical attention and receive treatment under professional guidance to prevent worsening symptoms. During illness, it is advisable to frequently change and wash socks, preferably scalding them with hot water, and keep the spaces between toes dry and well-ventilated, which may promote recovery to some extent.