Description

Athlete's foot (tinea pedis) is a fungal infection of the skin that usually begins between the toes. It usually occurs in people whose feet have become very sweaty while confined within tight shoes.

The signs and symptoms of athlete's foot include itching, scaly rash. The condition is contagious and can be spread via contaminated floors, towels or clothing.

Athlete's foot is closely related to other fungal infections such as ringworm and jock itch. It can be treated with antifungal medications, but the infection often comes back.

Symptoms

Athlete's foot can affect one or both feet. Common signs and symptoms are:

  • Peeling, flaking or cracked skin between the toes
  • Itching, especially right after you take off your shoes and socks
  • Inflammation of the skin that may appear red, purple or gray, depending on your skin color
  • Burning or stinging
  • Blisters
  • Dry, scaly skin on the bottom of the feet, which extends to the side

When to see a doctor

If you have a rash on your foot that doesn't improve within two weeks of starting self-treatment with antimycotics-the-counter product, consult your doctor.

If you have diabetes, talk to your doctor if you suspect that you have athlete's foot. Also see your doctor if you have signs of an infection — inflammation of the affected area, pus, and fever.

Causes

Athlete's foot is caused by the same type of fungi (dermatophytes) that cause ringworm and jock itch. Wet socks and shoes and warm, humid conditions favor of the growing organisms.

Athlete's foot is contagious and can be spread through contact with an infected person or by contact with contaminated surfaces, such as towels, floors and shoes. You can also spread from the foot to other parts of the body, especially if you scratch or pick up the infected parts of your foot.

Risk factors

You are at greater risk of athlete's foot if:

  • Frequently use closed footwear
  • Sweat a lot
  • Share mats, carpets, bedding, clothes, or shoes with someone who has a fungal infection
  • Walking barefoot in public areas, where the infection can spread, such as locker rooms, saunas, swimming pools, communal showers and toilets

Complications

The athlete's foot, the infection can spread to other warm, moist parts of the body. Jock itch is often caused by the same fungus that results in athlete's foot. It is common for the infection to spread from the feet to the groin because the fungus can travel in the hands or towels.

Athlete's foot can sometimes lead to bacterial infections.

Prevention

These tips can help you avoid athlete's foot or avoid spreading it to others:

  • Let your feet air. When you can, wear sandals to let your feet air as much as possible.
  • Wash your feet every day. Use soap and warm water and rinse and dry the feet thoroughly, especially between the toes. Apply a medicated foot powder (Tinactin, Gold, Bonds, other), or other medicated powder (Lotrimin AF, The, other) if you are prone to athlete's foot.
  • Change socks regularly. Change socks at least once a day, more often if your feet get very sweaty. The moisture-wicking socks, such as cotton, to help keep your feet drier than nylon socks.
  • Alternate pairs of shoes. The use of different shoes day to day. This will give your shoes time to dry after each use.
  • Protect your feet in public places. Wear waterproof sandals or shoes around public pools, showers and lockers in the rooms.
  • Be aware of the risk factors for the spread of the disease. If you live with other people, don't share shoes or unwashed bed linen and towels.

Diagnosis

Your doctor may be able to diagnose athlete's foot just by looking at it. Some types of athletes foot look like dryness of the skin or dermatitis. To help confirm the diagnosis and rule out other conditions, your doctor may take a skin scraping of the affected area for analysis in the laboratory.

Treatment

If your athlete's foot does not respond to the-counter products, and self-care, you may need to see a doctor to get a prescription-strength cream or ointment, such as clotrimazole, econazole (Ecoza) or ciclopirox (Loprox). If you have a more severe infection, your doctor may prescribe antifungal pills, such as terbinafine or itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura). Or you may need topical and oral medicine.

Lifestyle and home remedies

These tips can help you relieve the symptoms of athlete's foot or to prevent a recurrence:

  • Keep your feet clean and dry. Wash your feet twice a day and gently with a dry towel between your toes.
  • The use of an antifungal product. After washing and drying the feet, apply an antifungal product. The antifungal terbinafine (Lamisil AT) has been shown to be very effective. Another option is to clotrimazole (Lotrimin AF). You may have to experiment to find the product and formulation — ointment, gel, cream, lotion, powder or spray that work for you. Apply the product onto the affected skin as directed — usually twice a day until a week after the rash disappears. It may take 2 to 4 weeks to see results. If the condition comes back to you, you might need to begin to apply the product again.
  • Change socks regularly. Change socks at least once a day, more often if your feet get very sweaty.
  • Wear light, well-ventilated shoes. Avoid shoes made of synthetic material, such as vinyl or rubber. Wear sandals when possible to allow your feet to air.
  • Alternate pairs of shoes. The use of different shoes day to day. This will give your shoes time to dry after each use.
  • Protect your feet in public places. Wear waterproof sandals or shoes around public pools, showers and lockers in the rooms.
  • Try not to scratch the rash. You can try to calm your itching in the feet by soaking them in cold water.
  • Don't share shoes. To share the risks of the spread of a fungal infection.

Preparing for your appointment

Your primary care doctor or a skin specialist (dermatologist) can diagnose athlete's foot. You do not need any special preparation for an appointment to diagnose athlete's foot.

What you can do

Before your appointment, you might want to write a list of questions to ask your doctor. Examples include:

  • What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
  • The tests are necessary to confirm the diagnosis?
  • What treatments are available?
  • Is this condition temporary or long-term?
  • Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing?
  • Can't wait to see if the condition goes away on its own?
  • What can I do to prevent the spread of infection?
  • What skin care routines do you recommend as the condition is cured?

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor may ask you a series of questions, such as:

  • When did you first notice your symptoms?
  • What did the eruption of look when she first started?
  • Is the eruption of pain or itching?
  • Does nothing seem to do better?
  • What, if anything, makes it worse?
  • Become a member of the family also have athlete's foot?
  • The time has passed swimming pools, locker rooms, saunas or other places where the athlete's foot can be spread?
Symptoms and treatment of Athlete's foot