Attacking Athlete’s Foot

Your feet are itchy. They have small blisters on them as well. There is redness and burning on the soles of your feet. You could have athlete’s foot.

Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection known as tinea pedis. It is caused by a ringworm infection. It can form on the tops of your feet, the bottoms and in between the toes.

It can be found in public bathrooms, mainly shower stalls. Gyms, locker rooms, swimming pools and warm damp environments are popular breeding grounds for the fungus.

Athlete’s foot is very common. It is estimated that 3 to 15 percent of the population are affected. This disease is more common in males than females. It may affect people over the age of 60.

Some conditions that maybe associated with athlete’s foot are diabetes, obesity, a weakened immune system and tissue damage or wounds on the feet.

Symptoms of athlete’s foot include cracked and peeling skin, itchy skin, skin rash and a burning sensation.

The fungus is not very contagious. Even when planted on the skin, they do not grow unless conditions are right. Thus, two people, one of whom has a bad case of athlete’s foot, may live intimately for decades without the partner getting infected. Or a hundred people may prance through a fungi-contaminated shower or locker room and only one will be affected.

In most people, fungal infections flourish in summer because people sweat more. When their feet are trapped in closed shoes, the feet are not readily cooled or dried.

People with summer flare-ups will continue to have athlete’s foot all winter, but the symptoms are often so mild—little scaling of the skin or an occasional itch—that they may not notice that the problem persists.

You can also get athlete’s foot from sharing towels, socks and shoes with anyone who is already infected with the fungus.

The infection can assume one of three forms: It can strike the spaces between toes; it can cause the skin on the soles and sides of the feet to become scaly; and it can form itchy, fluid-filled blisters, mainly on the instep, heel and ball of the foot.

Diagnosing athlete’s foot involves doing a biopsy (removing a small piece of skin) and testing it in the lab. Adding drops of a potassium hydroxide solution dissolves the skin cells so only the fungal cells are present.

Treatment for athlete’s foot means antifungal products including creams, ointments, gels, sprays or powders. These products contain clotrimazole, miconazole, tolnaftate or terbinafine.

Some prescription medications for athlete’s foot can be taken in pill form. The pills contain fluconazole, itraconazole or terbinafine.

It is important to finish your full prescription as directed or you risk the infection returning and being more difficult to treat.

There are strategies you can follow to avoid athlete’s foot returning including:

·       Wash all socks, towels, bath mats, sheets and any other items that may have come into contact with the infection in the hottest water possible. If your fabrics can tolerate it, a cap of Lysol in the wash maybe helpful. Keep these items separate from regular laundry and dry on the hottest setting.

·       Always wear sandals when walking in moist areas, such as public bathrooms, showers, pools, hotel rooms and locker rooms.

·       Keep feet clean and dry. Wash and dry thoroughly especially in between the toes. Use talcum powder or an antifungal powder as extra insurance. Toenails should be clipped short and kept clean.

·       Air out shoes in between wearings. Sunlight is good but fumigating with a blast of Lysol is better. Wear shoes once every five days.

It is important to follow your doctor’s treatment plan to avoid athlete’s foot returning. Athlete’s foot can be very unpleasant. But more so if the infection spreads to other parts of your body by scratching your feet and then touching another body part. If you have recurring athlete’s foot despite these tips, consult your health care provider.