Is this your symptom?
- A skin infection with an itchy rash or white patches between the toes
- Red, sore and flaky patches of skin on the feet
- Cracked and/or bleeding skin between the toes
Symptoms of Athlete's Foot
- Red, scaly, cracked rash between the toes
- The rash itches and burns
- With itching, the rash becomes raw and weepy
- Can be on the insteps of the feet
- Smelly feet
Cause of Athlete's Foot
- A fungus infection that grows best on warm, damp skin
Other Health Problems from Athlete's Foot
- Jock Itch is a fungus infection of the groin and inner, upper thighs. Caused by the same fungus that causes athlete's foot. Can be spread by a towel used to dry the feet and then the groin.
- Impetigo is a bacterial infection that can start in the cracks between the toes. Causes sores, soft scabs and pus. Needs to be seen by a doctor. Easily spread to other people in the household.
- Cellulitis is a bacterial infection that spreads into the skin. Causes redness spreading into the back of the foot. The red area is painful to touch. Needs to be seen urgently by a doctor.
- Lymphangitis is a bacterial infection that spreads in the lymph system. It can look like a red streak that goes up the leg. It is more serious because the infection can get into the bloodstream. This is called sepsis. Needs to be seen urgently by a doctor.
When to Call for Athlete's Foot
Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours
Contact Doctor During Office Hours
|
Self Care at Home
|
Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours
- Pus is draining from the rash
- Foot is very painful
- Fever and foot looks infected (pain, spreading redness, pus)
- You think you need to be seen, but the problem is not urgent
Contact Doctor During Office Hours
- Rash or redness has spread to the top of the foot
- Rash is not getting better after 1 week on treatment
- Weak immune system. Examples are: diabetes, sickle cell disease, HIV, cancer, organ transplant, taking oral steroids, kidney problems.
- Rash not gone (clear) after 2 weeks of treatment
- You have other questions or concerns
Self Care at Home
- Mild athlete's foot
Care Advice for Stomach Pain
What You Should Know About Stomach Pain:
- Mild stomach pain can be caused by something simple. It could be from gas pains or eating too much.
- Sometimes, stomach pain signals the start of a viral infection. This will lead to vomiting or loose stools.
- Watching your child for 2 hours will help tell you the cause.
- Here is some care advice that should help.
Lie Down:
- Have your child lie down and rest until feeling better.
Clear Fluids:
- Offer clear fluids only (such as water, flat soft drinks or half-strength Gatorade).
- For mild pain, offer a regular diet.
Prepare for Vomiting:
- Keep a vomiting pan handy.
- Younger children often talk about stomach pain when they have nausea. Nausea is the sick stomach feeling that comes before they throw up.
Pass a Stool:
- Have your child sit on the toilet and try to pass a stool.
- This may help if the pain is from constipation or diarrhea.
- Note: for constipation, moving a warm wet cotton ball on the anus may help.
Do Not Give Medicines:
- Any drug (like ibuprofen) could upset the stomach and make the pain worse.
- Do not give any pain medicines or laxatives for stomach cramps.
- For fever higher than 102° F (39° C), acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) can be given.
What to Expect:
- With harmless causes, the pain is most often better or gone in 2 hours.
- With stomach flu, belly cramps may happen before each bout of vomiting or diarrhea. These cramps may come and go for a few days.
- With serious causes (such as appendicitis), the pain worsens and becomes constant.
Call Your Doctor If:
- Pain becomes severe
- Constant pain lasts more than 2 hours
- Mild pain that comes and goes lasts more than 24 hours
- You think your child needs to be seen
- Your child becomes worse
Extra Help - Worried Stomach:
- Help your child talk about events that trigger the stomach pain. Talk to your child about how to cope with these the next time around.
- Help your child worry less about things she can't control.
- To treat the pain, help your child get very relaxed. Lying down in a quiet place and taking slow deep breaths may help. Make the belly go up and down with each breath. Then try to relax all the muscles in the body. Think about something pleasant. Listening to audios that teach how to relax might also help.
- Make sure your child gets enough sleep.
- Make sure that your child doesn't miss any school because of stomach pains. Stressed children tend to want to stay home when the going gets rough.
- Caution: your child should see her doctor for an exam. Do this before concluding frequent stomach pains are from worrying too much.
