A Brief Note On The Athlete 's Foot

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While feet are stuck inside shoes and socks all day, they can become damp and smelly. They are also prone to infections like athlete 's foot, which doesn 't impact only athletes as the name implies. Anyone can get athlete 's foot if they 're not careful, yet it has nothing to do with hygiene. People who wash their feet daily can still contract the infection, and those who get the infection seem prone to it in the future.

Definition & Facts

Athlete 's foot, also known as tinea pedis, is an infection that is fungal in nature. It usually starts between the toes as a scaly rash that stings or burns as well as being incredibly itchy. There are three different types of fungal infections that can invade the feet. They are a toe web, moccasin or vesicular infection. Each infection impacts a different area of the foot. Athlete 's foot is a close relative to jock itch and ringworm. It can spread to other areas of the body through contact.

Symptoms & Complaints

A toe web infection can occur between the fifth toe and the fourth one. The skin cracks and peels, and it could break down with bacterial infections. The moccasin infection starts with a sore foot. It can progress to the bottom of the foot or the heel becoming thick and cracking. With some infections like the moccasin type infection, it may appear as if the skin is just dry instead of being a fungal infection. In a moccasin type infection, the toenails can become infected, and it can cause them to thicken. The third and last type of infection is vesicular. This infection can appear as blisters under the skin. While they can appear anywhere on the foot, they are commonly on the sole of the foot. With the vesicular type infection, the blisters can progress into a bacterial infe...

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...inued the full length of time, it might cause the fungal infection to reoccur. While reinfection is common, treating for the full amount of time will decrease the risk. For athlete 's foot like vesicular type infection, the person might need to take an antibiotic for treatment.

Prevention & Prophylaxis

To prevent athlete 's foot, everyone should keep their feet clean and dry. Cotton or natural fiber socks are best for removing moisture and keeping it away from the skin. In a public area like a swimming pool or locker room, wear sandals to prevent contact with surfaces that might be harboring a fungal infection. When shoes become damp, they should be allowed to air for 24 hours before they 're worn again. If socks become damp, they should be changed as soon as possible. After a bath or swimming, the toes should be dried completely, especially between the toes.
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