Athlete's Foot - Information on Athlete's Foot

Athlete's Foot is basically a skin disease typical to youth, but Athlete's Foot may occur to the people at any age. Tinea pedis or Athlete's foot is contagious and may be caught by walking barefoot in the locker room. However, it is not known exactly who is at risk for getting athlete's foot. Athlete's foot is a common name given to a fungus infection of the skin that predominately occurs in between toes but can occur anywhere on the foot.

We have provided you here all symptoms, causes and treatment methods of Athlete's Foot. Athlete's foot is transmitted through contact with a cut or abrasion on the bottom (plantar surface) of the foot. In rare cases, the fungus is transmitted from infected animals to humans. Athlete's foot is most common in men from the teens to the early 50s. Prevalence is affected by personal hygiene and daily activity. People with compromised immune systems are at greater risk.

Some common Athlete foot symptom includes - redness, scaling, and even dryness on the soles and along the sides of the feet. Athletes foot may also produce itching and burning of the feet. Athlete's foot may affect different people in different ways. Some of the common symptoms are: itching, scaling, peeling and cracking of the skin between the toes, and redness, scaling and even blisters on the soles and along the sides of the feet.

Symptoms of Athlete's Foot

Here is the list of some of the common symptoms of Athlete's Foot

• Itching, stinging and burning between your toes, especially the last two toes
• Itching, stinging and burning on the soles of your feet
• Itchy blisters
• Cracking and peeling skin, especially between your toes and on the soles of your feet
• Excessive dryness of the skin on the bottoms or sides of the feet
• Nails that are thick, crumbly, ragged, discolored or pulling away from the nail bed

Causes of Athlete's Foot

The cause of the Athlete's Foot is unknown. There are at least four dermatophytes that can cause athlete's foot. The most common is trichophyton rubrum. Athlete's foot is a skin disease caused by a fungus, usually occurring between the toes. Athlete's foot may spread to the soles of the feet and to the toenails. It can be spread to other parts of the body, notably the groin and underarms, by those who scratch the infection and then touch themselves elsewhere. fungus known as a dermatophyte causes athlete's foot.

• This fungus can be contracted by sharing the shoes of an infected person.
• It needs a warm moist environment to flourish and has been found growing on the floors of locker rooms and public showers and in swimming pools and whirlpools.
• The fungus can also be transmitted by contact with pets who carry it on their fur.

Treatment of Athlete's Foot

Methods For Treating Athlete's Foot are :

• Wash your feet daily.
• Dry your feet thoroughly, especially between your toes, after bathing.
• Avoid tight footwear, especially in the summer. Sandals and "flip-flops" are the best warm weather footwear.
• Wear cotton or synthetic running socks which absorb sweat and change the socks daily or more frequently if they become damp.
• Anti-fungal powders can be used in socks and shoes.
• Diabetic patients should not try and treat this condition themselves, they should seek immediate professional advice.
• Wear cotton socks to absorb moisture.
• Dry the feet thoroughly after bathing especially in between the toes.
• Dust an antifungal powder on your feet and into your shoes.

Tips

• 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.