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What are the Symptoms, Causes and Treatment for Athlete's Foot?
Athletes foot is a fungal skin infection that starts between the toes and is often caused by tight shoes and sweaty feet. It causes itchiness and skin scaling and can spread through contaminated surfaces. It is closely linked to joker itch and ringworm. Antifungal drugs can treat it, but it often returns.
It is more likely to occur if individuals have diabetes, fat, compromised defence mechanisms, or foot tissue damage.
The condition affects the skin between toes, soles, tops, edges, and heels, causing flaky, scaly, or inflamed skin in red, purple, grey, or white colours.
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Get A Second OpinionWhat are the Types of Athlete Foot?
The symptoms that you experience are determined by the kind of athlete's foot that you have. There are four types of athlete's foot:
- Moccasin-type infection: Dryness, scaling, and itching on the soles of the feet are typical characteristics of this variety of athlete's foot, which often begins with minor symptoms.
- An infection of this kind affects the edges, heels, and soles of the foot. For a few days, your feet can hurt. Your foot's soles begin to crack and thicken at that point. Your toenails may become infected in rare instances.
- They may become thicker, shatter into tiny fragments, and fall out.
- A toe web infection is the most prevalent kind of athlete's foot. It usually affects the skin between the fourth toe (ring toe) and fifth toe (pinkie toe).
- Between the toes, a perfect environment for the growth of fungi is created, which is characterised by moisture and warmth. The skin could flake, peel, break, or change colour.
- Vesicular-type infection: Although it usually affects the bottoms of the feet, this form of infection can arise anywhere on the foot. Bumps or blisters packed with fluid are indicative of a vesicular-type infection (blisters). These uncomfortable, potentially ruptured blisters may cause the skin around the blisters to ooze and harden.
- Acute infection: The most uncommon kind of athlete's foot is ulcerative infection. The skin can become ulcerated in severe cases of athlete's foot, particularly in cases where the condition is not treated. Open sores or ulcers frequently develop between the toes, and your feet's soles may also develop open sores.
What are the Symptoms of an Athlete's Foot?
- Athlete's foot symptoms include pain, cracked skin, skin irritation, an allergic reaction, and burning.
- Various fungi cause it and spread it through skin-to-skin or skin-flake contact in public spaces like saunas, swimming pools, and locker rooms. Infected surfaces, such as shoes, socks, or towels, can also spread the infection.
- The fungus grows in or on the skin, requiring warm temperatures and wetness for growth. People often wear tight shoes and socks to keep their feet warm and hydrated, making the environment ideal for athlete's feet.
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Book an AppointmentWhat are the Causes of Athlete's Foot?
Athlete's foot, also known as tinea pedis, is a common fungal infection that affects the skin on the feet. Understanding the causes of athlete's foot can help in prevention and effective treatment. Here are the primary causes:
Fungal Exposure
Athlete's foot is caused by dermatophytes, a type of fungus that thrives in warm, moist environments. Public places like locker rooms, swimming pools, and communal showers are common breeding grounds for these fungi.
Poor Hygiene
Not washing your feet regularly or not drying them thoroughly after washing can create an ideal environment for the fungus to grow. Wearing the same socks or shoes for extended periods without proper ventilation can also contribute to the development of athlete's foot.
Sweaty Feet
Excessive sweating, especially in closed shoes, creates moisture that promotes fungal growth. Individuals who sweat excessively or wear tight-fitting shoes are more prone to develop athlete's foot.
Direct Contact
Athlete's foot is contagious and can spread through direct contact with an infected person or by touching surfaces contaminated with the fungus. This includes sharing towels, socks, or shoes with someone who has the infection.
Weak Immune System
A weakened immune system can make it easier for the fungus to take hold and cause an infection. Conditions like diabetes, immunosuppressive medications, or other health issues that compromise the immune system increase the risk.
Injury to the Skin
Cuts, blisters, or other injuries to the skin on your feet can provide an entry point for the fungus, increasing the likelihood of infection.
What is the Treatment for an Athlete's Foot?
- Antifungal creams, ointments, gels, sprays, and powders, both over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription, are effective treatments for athlete's feet. These products contain clotrimazole, miconazole, tolnaftate, or terbinafine.
- Some prescription antifungal treatments for athlete's feet come in the form of pills. These pills include fluconazole, itraconazole, or terbinafine.
- You must complete your whole medical education program. If you stop too soon, your athlete's foot may return and become more challenging to treat.
- With proper diagnosis and therapy, your athlete's foot should resolve in one to eight weeks. Follow your healthcare provider's instructions.
- You must complete your whole medical education program. Itching and discomfort will subside in the early phases of recovery. Even if your symptoms subside, you may still have athlete's foot.
- If you do not complete your entire course of medication, your athlete's foot may return and be more difficult to cure.An athlete's foot does not usually go away on its own. If it is not treated, it can spread to other parts of your body, including nails, hands, and groin.
- Fungal nail infections are difficult to treat due to their resistance to therapies. Similar fungal illnesses can spread to hands through scratching or using the same towel for drying both feet and hands. The same fungus that causes an athlete's foot can also travel to the groin.
Prevention for an Athlete's Foot
- Walking around pools, gyms, shower or locker areas, and hotel rooms should be done in shower shoes, flip-flops, or sandals. The fungus that causes an athlete's foot could be on the floor. Even when showering at a gym, it is critical to wear shower shoes or flip-flops.
- Even if you haven't gone barefoot in public, keep your feet dry. This fungus thrives in warm, wet environments, such as the ones found inside damp shoes.
- Wash your feet with soap every day and thoroughly dry them afterwards. When it's hot outside, wearing sandals or flip-flops works well.
- Trim your toenails frequently and avoid cutting them too short, as this can allow fungi to enter. Keep your feet hydrated with a light foot cream to prevent dryness and cracking, which can allow fungi to enter.
- Alternate your shoes every day to ensure that they are dry when you put them on. This can help prevent moisture and fungi from accumulating inside your shoes.
- If you live with someone who has an athlete's foot, avoid sharing towels, bedding, or shoes. Wear socks made of natural or quick-drying materials that drain moisture away from the skin. Also, replace your socks every day, especially when they get wet.
- If you observe any indications or symptoms of an athlete's foot, such as redness, itching, or flaking skin on your feet, get treatment right away. Over-the-counter antifungal creams or prescription drugs from your doctor can help treat the infection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Athlete's foot symptoms include itching, burning, and cracking between toes, along with redness and scaling on the feet. In severe cases, blisters and swelling may occur. Prompt treatment can alleviate discomfort and prevent spreading.
Athlete's foot is a fungal skin infection that typically starts between the toes and is often caused by tight shoes and sweaty feet. It's more likely to occur in individuals with conditions like diabetes, obesity, compromised immune systems, or foot injuries.
Athlete's foot can be effectively treated with over-the-counter antifungal creams or prescription medications from your doctor. These treatments come in various forms, such as lotions, powders, sprays, or oral medications, and they work by suppressing or eliminating the fungal growth.
Athlete's foot is caused by various fungi that thrive in warm, moist environments. It can spread through direct contact with infected skin or indirectly through contaminated surfaces like floors, shoes, or towels in public places such as locker rooms and swimming pools.
Yes, an athlete's foot can also affect the hands. It can occur when fungi from the feet are transferred to the hands through scratching or using the same towel on both areas.
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