Athlete's foot

Alternative Names

Athlete's foot, Tinea pedis

What is Athlete's foot

Athlete's foot is condition caused by a fungal infection of the skin on the foot. It develops in the moist areas between toes and on other parts of the foot. It is usually accompanied by itching, stinging and burning. It is an contagious fungal infection.

Signs and symptoms

The main symptoms of athlete’s foot are:

• Itching, stinging and burning between your toes and on the soles of your feet
• Itchy blisters
• Cracking and peeling skin between toes and on the soles of feet
• Excessive dryness of the skin on the bottoms or sides of the feet
• Thick, crumbly, ragged, discolored toenails

Possible complications

Athlete's foot can become worse and lead to:

• Secondary infections
• Tissue breakdown (soggy skin and painful eroded areas between the toes)
• Eruption of blisters on your fingers, toes or hands
• An allergic response

What causes

Athlete’s foot is caused by a fungal infection on the skin of feet. In some conditions the harmless bacteria and fungi that live on the skin multiply and cause infections. Athlete's foot appears in thick, tight shoes that squeeze the toes together and create warm, moist areas between them. Damp socks and shoes, warm, humid conditions also lead to the organisms' growth. Athlete's foot is contagious. It can be transmitted from the infected person to another by contact with contaminated surfaces such as towels, floors and shoes.

Prevention

To avoid athlete’s foot you should:

• Keep your feet dry especially between your toes.
• Go with natural materials.
• Change socks and stockings regularly.
• Wear light, well-ventilated shoes.
• Alternate pairs of shoes.
• Protect your feet in public places.
• Treat your feet.
• Do not share shoes.

Treatment

Athlete’s foot can be treated through self care at home and an anti-fungal medicine. Self-care treatment includes the following steps:

• Wash your feet frequently and thoroughly with soap and water.
• After washing, dry your feet.
• Wear clean cotton socks.
• Change your shoes and socks regularly.
• Do not share towels.

Anti-fungal medication help kill the fungi and are available in creams, sprays, liquids, powders, tablets. Anti-fungal medicine available include terbinafine, clotrimazole, econazole, ketoconazole, miconazole, sulconazole. Oral antifungal medicines are itraconazole, griseofulvin, terbinafine.