NO318769B1 - Device for use in treating foot fungus - Google Patents

Abstract

Procedure for the prevention and treatment of athlete's foot, by keeping a toe (2) at a distance from a neighboring toe. (1, 3) of a moisture-absorbing, preferably porous material which is placed between the toes (1,2, 3), optionally that the material is inserted with fungicide, ointment or other. Device for the prevention and treatment of athlete's foot in that the moisture-absorbing material is shaped like a sleeve (6) which is adapted to be threaded onto a toe (2).

Description

DEVICE FOR USE IN THE TREATMENT OF FOOT FUNGUS

This invention relates to a device for use in the treatment of athlete's foot, more specifically as a moisture-absorbing, soft sleeve designed to be threaded onto a toe.

Athlete's foot thrives in moist environments and forms cracks and sores in the skin between the toes, especially when the toes are close together.

Athlete's foot can be cured by medication, but this often involves strong antibiotics which in turn can cause allergic reactions with ulceration in other areas of the foot and leg. Due to the danger of fungi and bacteria developing immunity to antibiotics, it is also desirable to replace antibiotic courses with other forms of treatment.

US patent 6,334,222 B1 describes a sock comprising several toe covers which can cover areas between the toes. The toe cover part is integrated with the rest of the sock, which includes parts that cover the sole of the foot, the whole, the ankle and possibly the calf. The toe-over covers each cover one or more toes. The toe-over features may have an open front where the toes protrude. The sock is not suitable for separate treatment of one affected toe, and like ordinary socks, the device must be carefully adapted to the size of the foot.

JP patent publication 11137597 A describes a toe sock in which five cylindrical parts, each covering a toe, are connected at their root with a cover part which encloses the part of the foot that is close to the toes. The toe sock also includes an ankle band for anchoring the toe sock around the ankle. The toe sock is not suitable for separate treatment of one affected toe, and it is not self-fitting.

DE patent publication Al 3504544 describes a sock that encloses each toe and the entire foot including the heel. It is tight-fitting and knitted in fine cotton. Due to its choice of material, the sock has little massaging effect.

JP patent publication A 06-154267 describes a toe cover for the treatment of athlete's foot. The cover features a waterproof outer layer and an absorbent layer and covers all toes. The purpose of the toe cover is to be used for medication, as medicine absorbed in the absorbent layer is gradually released into the entire space within the outer layer. The toe cover has no drying and massaging effect on an affected area between two toes.

DE patent publication Ul 20107532 describes a band coated with absorbent material intended to be laid in wave form alternately above and below the toes. The material only gives a massage under every other toe and you have to change position after a while. This gives the opportunity for new flowering where the tape does not work.

The purpose of the invention is to remedy the disadvantages of known technology.

The purpose is achieved according to the invention by features which are indicated in the description below and in subsequent patent claims.

Athlete's foot can be prevented from becoming established and established athlete's foot can disappear by creating dry conditions between the toes. This is effectively achieved by creating a distance between the toes so that an affected area is aired and dried out. Using a moisture-absorbing material can increase the drying effect.

A toe sleeve made of soft, absorbent material (for example, knitted, woven or compressed wool or cotton) is designed to be pulled over an affected toe so that it covers the majority of the toe's length. In this way, the toe is kept at a distance from the neighboring toe, while the surface of the toe and the transition to the foot blade are massaged by the movement of the toe sleeve. The foot fungus is prevented from establishing itself by creating a dry climate or by massaging the area with the toe sleeve.

By placing a toe sleeve on toes number two and four, counting from the outer third toe, a distance is kept between all the toes. In this way, the entire foot is treated for attacks between the toes. For attacks under the toes, it is advantageous to place a sleeve on each attack

toe.

The toe sleeve can be used under normal socks and together with ordinary footwear.

The toe sleeve can be washed and dried like a garment made of the same type of material.

If it is desired to combine the sleeve treatment with medication, medication in ointment form can be placed on/inside the toe sleeve. Tests of the toe sleeve have been carried out over a two-year period on people who, before the test period, had serious foot fungus problems. During the test period athlete's foot did not occur.

In what follows, a non-limiting example of a preferred embodiment is described which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, where: Fig. 1 shows the toe part of a foot with a toe sleeve placed on a toe; Fig. 2 shows a cross-section through a toe sleeve;

Fig. 3 shows a longitudinal section through II-II in fig. 2.

In the drawings, the reference numbers 1 to 5 denote the toes of a foot. A toe sleeve 6 is placed on a toe 2. The toe sleeve 6 has an inner diameter d, a wall thickness T and a length L.

The toe sleeve's 6 dimensions d, T, L are adapted to the size of the toes and the elasticity of the toe sleeve material

When treating athlete's foot, a toe sleeve 6 is inserted onto a toe, in figure 1 shown on toe 2, where there is an area infected with athlete's foot. By using a toe sleeve 6 on each of the toes 2 and 4, the entire infectious area of the foot is covered.

If additional treatment with curative ointment is required, the ointment is placed on the outer surface of the toe sleeve 6 and/or inside all or parts of the toe sleeve 6.

The toe sleeve 6 is advantageously used in a dry state. As the moisture content increases, the treatment effect decreases. After a suitable period of use, it is changed to a dry sleeve 6.

Used toe sleeves 6 are washed as prescribed for the type of material used, dried and reused.

Claims (1)

1. Device for the prevention and treatment of athlete's foot, where an affected toe (2) is kept at a distance from a nearby toe {1, 3), and where the toe is massaged and kept dry by a porous and moisture-absorbing material completely enclosing a part of the length of the affected toe (2), characterized in that the device is in the form of a separate, elastic sleeve (6) which is designed to be threaded onto and surround the toe (2), and by its elasticity is designed to be held in position on the toe (2).