Majority of people surveyed do not recognize symptoms of Athlete's Foot
Dubai, 20 October 2003: A recent survey conducted amongst people in the Gulf region revealed that 41% of respondents have never heard of Athlete’s Foot, a common skin condition that affects many teenagers and adults. Furthermore, 60% of those who knew about Athlete’s Foot were not aware that it is a highly contagious infection that can be easily spread to others.
The survey, conducted by Novartis Consumer Health, was designed to gain greater insight into the levels of public awareness of this skin fungal infection, as part of ongoing research for its anti-fungal treatment Lamisil, which cures Athlete’s Foot within a week. The survey also addressed the possible effect of personal hygiene and lifestyle on the frequency of the condition with those surveyed.
The Lamisil survey revealed low levels of awareness of Athlete’s Foot and its symptoms. Half of those surveyed could not identify the symptoms of this fungal infection that is common to the region, and easily recognizable through an itching, burning sensation combined with cracked skin between the toes, around the heels and soles of the feet.
The survey revealed that 25% of those who had suffered from the condition had done nothing to treat it. Doctors advise against ignoring the condition as it can progress into a serious condition. “It is important to treat Athlete’s Foot immediately, as ignoring it increases the chances of infecting other people and, in extreme cases, may lead to the development of serious infections,” explains Dr Sami Tabib, Podiatrist at the Dubai Chiropody Centre.
Tinea Pedis, the medical term for Athlete’s Foot, is caused by a fungus that grows on soles of the feet and the area between the toes. It can be contracted from contact with warm damp areas such as those around swimming pools and in public showers, and is very prevalent in the region due to its hot and humid climate.
73% of respondents to the Lamisil survey said that they wear closed shoes for more than six hours a day, with 37% of the sample having suffered from Athlete’s Foot at least once in their lives. Significantly, only 15% of respondents who wore closed footwear for four hours or less per day have suffered from Athlete’s Foot, which supports the common claim by dermatologists and podiatrists that wearing closed shoes for long hours encourages fungal growth.
“Wearing closed footwear for long hours creates a warm and moist environment that allows fungus to grow and multiply on feet,” explains Dr Sami. “Synthetic socks that don’t let your feet ‘breathe’ also encourage the growth of the fungus on the skin surface. It is advisable to wear open shoes as much as possible or cotton socks with closed shoes that effectively absorb moisture. People should also wash their feet a couple of times a day and make sure to dry them properly. It is also important to wear slippers while bathing in public shower areas or walking around swimming pools and locker rooms to avoid picking up the infection.”
On a positive note, the survey also showed that 77% of people in the Gulf wash their feet more than once a day: frequent washing and drying of feet has proven to be an effective method of preventing the spread and contraction of Athlete’s Foot.
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About Novartis Consumer Health
Novartis Consumer Health (NCH) is a division of Novartis and a global leader in the field self-medication healthcare. The Dubai office of NCH covers the Arabian Gulf Markets of Kuwait, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman, Yemen, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria and Palestine. Popular brands include Lamisil, Voltaren Emulgel, Otrivin and Orofar.
© Press Release 2003
