Athletes Foot - Symptoms & Treatment

Athlete's foot also called Tinea pedis, is a widely known skin disorder which is caused by a kind of fungus. There is still research going on for actual cause detection of Athlete's foot but it is mainly caused by a fungus, usually occurring between the toes.

The fungus causing tinea pedis as their general behaviour suggests, prefers moist, warm skin - the reason for which tinea pedis favors the folds between the toes and is often worse in hot weather. This disease is contagious. The fungus can be spread from person to person by contact with these object.

The Athlete's Foot we understand that the most important thing about 'shoes' is that they must fit and that means being properly fitted for better comfort and performance. In some people tinea pedis can get so bad that blisters form. Not all foot rashes are tinea pedis, only those caused by fungus growing on the skin.

Signs and Symptoms of Athletes Foot

The signs and symptoms of Athletes Foot includes

1. Dry skin
2. Itching
3. Scaling
4. Inflammation
5. Blisters
6. The skin frequently peels and in particularly severe cases, there may be some cracking, pain and bleeding as well.
7. Athlete's foot may spread to the soles of the feet and to the toenails. This is especially likely to occur in the elderly, individuals with diabetes, chronic leg swelling, or who have had veins removed, and patients with impaired immune systems.
8. Most commonly, people experience the typical symptoms of athlete's foot viz. itching, most notably in the creases between your toes, redness and scaling of the skin in affected areas and cracked or blistered skin.

Types of Athlete's Foot

According to the specialists, Athletes Foot are of four types.

• Common symptoms include persistent itching of the skin on the sole of the foot or between the toes (often the fourth and fifth toes).the skin grows soft and the center of the infection becomes inflamed and sensitive to the touch.
• Secondary bacterial infections - The infection can be transmitted to other parts of the body by scratching, or contamination of clothing or bedding.
• The third type of tinea pedis is often called moccasin foot.
• The fourth form of tinea pedis is inflammatory or vesicular.

Causes of Athletes Foot

There are mainly four dermatophytes that can cause athlete's foot. The most common among them is trichophyton rubrum . The causes of Athletes Foot are listed below:

Tinea pedis is caused by a fungus that is only mildly contagious. Everyone is exposed to the fungus which causes tinea pedis; why only some people get it is unknown. Tinea pedis may stay in the skin indefinitely. Even if the rash seems to have been cured, microscopic examination may reveal the fungus to be present. While medicines will clear up the rash, the fungus may merely be "lying low" and may cause the same rash again. Athlete foot causes foot itching, burning, pain, and scaling. Athlete foot is caused by a fungus and is treated with antifungal medications, many of which are available over-the- counter. Keeping the feet dry by using cotton socks and breathable shoes can help prevent athletes foot

Treatment of Athletes Foot

The treatment of Athlete foot are below includes following - Tinea pedis is usually well controlled by application of antifungal liquids, creams, or ointments. Lotrimin cream is an antifungal agent that can be bought without a prescription at your local drugstore. Severe cases of tinea pedis may benefit from Paravex , a potent natural solution or require griseofulvin, an antifungal medication taken by mouth. Sometimes infection with bacteria complicates tinea pedis and antibiotics are needed to kill the germs. If you have a tendency to develop tinea pedis, you should wear socks which are at least 60% cotton. You should change your shoes everyday. Alternate 2-3 pairs of shoes, so the shoes will dry out completely before you use them again. In mild cases of the infection it is important to keep the feet dry by dusting foot powder in shoes and hose. The feet should be bathed frequently and all areas around the toes dried thoroughly. Tinea infections may disappear spontaneously and can persist for year.

Prevention tips

Wear light and airy shoes. Wear socks that keep your feet dry, and change them frequently if you perspire heavily. Avoid walking barefoot; use shower shoes. Reduce perspiration by using talcum powder. Wear light and airy shoes. Wear socks that keep your feet dry, and change them frequently if you perspire heavily.