Doctors issue warning about over-the-counter antifungal spray that can cause ... trends now
A woman in Michigan was left with frostbite after using a common spray to treat her athlete's foot.
The 67-year-old, who was not named, used $8-a-cannister Lotrimin Powder Spray — sold at stores including Walmart, Target and Amazon — to treat the infection.
But after using the spray for just three seconds, she felt pain in her foot before a blue and black patch about half an inch wide emerged on her middle left toe.
Doctors said it was 'consistent' with frostbite, pointing out that the product contained a chemical — isobutane — that is 'notorious' for causing the condition.
The chemical can spark a rapid drop in skin temperature as it turns from a liquid into a gas which can cause frostbite.
A 67-year-old woman in Michigan suffered frostbite on her middle left toe (left) after using Lotrimin powder spray to treat her athlete's foot
She described the patch on her toe as painful, which measured about 0.6inches across
Athlete's foot affects up to 15 percent of the population — or 50million — at any one time and is caused by the fungi dermatophytes that is also behind ringworm.
It is picked up from surfaces that are moist, such as swimming pool and locker room floors and towels.
Symptoms of the infection include red, inflamed, itchy or scaly skin around areas that are infected.
There are many over-the-counter treatments available including Lotrimin's powder spray, as well as creams and ointments to be rubbed onto the infection.
The spray contains miconazole nitrate powder, which battles fungal infections by breaking the walls of fungus cells causing them to die.
But the spray canister may also use
