How to Treat Athlete’s Foot
Athlete’s Foot is a common foot problem and it occurs due to fungus. If you are suffering from Athlete’s Foot, your skin may itch and have a scaly appearance. It can cause painful blisters to develop on the feet, and you may suffer from soreness. It is important that you don’t ignore the problem. Serious bacterial infections can develop if the fungus is left untreated. Nail fungus can develop due to Athlete’s Foot as well, and nail fungus is much more difficult to treat.
Treatment for the fungal infection will depend on the severity and the type of the infection, so it usually best to see a podiatrist for proper treatment.
Possible treatments for Athlete’s Foot:
- Anti-fungal creams are often used in treating the Athlete’s Foot.
- Foot soaks may be needed in lasting cases of Athlete’s Foot before the anti-fungal creams are applied to the feet.
- In severe and/or widespread infections, oral medications may be necessary.
It is easy for the feet to become re-infected, so continuing the treatment as prescribed is important, even if your symptoms have abated. If you are suffering from Athlete’s Foot, you can set up an appointment with us online or call us at (888) 713-0906.
Symptoms and Cures for Athlete’s Foot
Athlete’s Foot: What is it?
Athlete’s foot is a skin problem caused by a fungus. The infection often starts on the skin in between the toes, but can spread to other areas. It can cause the skin to be scaly and itchy and may eventually cause a break in the skin, which can be painful. Tinea pedis is another name for Athlete’s foot.
What causes Athlete’s Foot?
The fungus that causes Athlete’s foot is present all over the place in the environment. It is frequently present on the floors of public showers, locker rooms, and exercise facilities. It tends to grow most often on sweaty, consistantly wet, or insufficiently dried feet (especially in shoes or socks without proper ventilation).
Symptoms of Athlete’s Foot may include:
- itching of the skin
- cracking and peeling skin, usually between the last two toes
- soreness between the toes
- occasionally blisters will form
How is Athlete’s Foot diagnosed?
Your podiatrist is usually able to diagnose athlete’s foot after examining your skin. Your podiatrist may also take a skin sample to test for fungus. If your podiatrist believes you may also be suffering from a bacterial infection, the sample may be tested for bacteria as well.
How is Athlete’s Foot treated?
It is possible for Athlete’s foot to clear up on its own without any treatment, but the majority of Athlete’s foot infection are treated using topical medication. If the infection is severe or if the infection is widespread, your podiatrist may prescribe an oral medication as well.
How long will the effects last?
The acute stage of the infection usually lasts one to ten days. A chronic Athlete’s foot infection may continue on for months or even years. If a severe case of Athlete’s foot is left untreated, it can develop into a serious bacterial infection. Eventually, the infection can spread to the toenails, which are much harder to treat effectively.
What can I do to help prevent Athlete’s Foot?
The following guidelines will help prevent you to Athlete’s foot. However, following these guidelines does not guarantee that you will never become infected with Athlete’s foot.
- Wear cotton socks when exercising
- Change your socks daily
- Wear sandals or shoes with good ventilation or porous upper material (a natural material such as canvas or leather rather than manmade material)
- Air your shoes out when you are not wearing them
- Wear flip-flops or shower shoes when you shower in public facilities, such as a locker room
- Dry your feet very well, especially between the toes
- Apply an antifungal powder to your feet
- Disinfect the shower and locker room floors
Stop Athlete’s Foot Before It Starts
Athlete’s Foot, also known as tinea pedis, is a skin disease caused by a fungus that usually occurs between the toes. The fungus attacks the feet because shoes create a warm, dark, and humid environment that encourages fungus growth. Warm, damp areas around swimming pools, showers, and locker rooms are also breeding grounds for fungi.
Symptoms of Athlete’s Foot include drying skin, itching, scaling, inflammation, and blisters on and between the toes. Athlete’s Foot can spread to the soles of the feet and to the toenails as well as other parts of the body, which is why timely treatment is so important.
You can prevent Athlete’s Foot by:
- Not walking barefoot, particularly in public pools and locker rooms.
- Reducing foot perspiration by using talcum powder.
- Wearing light and airy shoes.
- Wearing socks that keep your feet dry, and changing them frequently if you perspire heavily.
While fungicidal and fungistatic chemicals are usually used to treat Athlete’s Foot problems, they often fail to contact the fungi in the lower layers of the skin. For persistent Athlete’s Foot, a prescription topical or oral antifungal drug may be needed. Note: Please consult your physician before taking any medications.
