Athlete's foot (tinea pedis) is a fungal infection of the skin of the foot between the toes, which if left untreated can spread to other parts of the feet and nails. This fungal disease is most common in athletes or people who spend most of the day in sports shoes, which favors the development of infection.
This disease is very difficult to treat given the very poor, wet environment where your feet are. The disease is usually transmitted from others, in humid environments when walking barefoot. Also, you can get it if you wear someone else's shoes or use means of hygiene of an infected person. If the treatment does not begin in a timely and adequate manner, the infection can spread to the soles of the feet and toenails. Through touch, the patient can spread infection to other parts of the body.
Often the athlete's foot can get from other people who have it, if you walk on the wet floor barefooted. (eg, around the pool or in the bathrooms). Athlete's foot is more common in people whose feet are increasingly sweating. It can be spread by wearing shoes or using items of personal hygiene of an infected person.
The infection can be spread to the soles of the feet and toenails. It can be transferred to other parts of the body, if people scratched infected foot and later touching other parts of the body.
Athlete's foot Symptoms
This disease is very difficult to treat given the very poor, wet environment where your feet are. The disease is usually transmitted from others, in humid environments when walking barefoot. Also, you can get it if you wear someone else's shoes or use means of hygiene of an infected person. If the treatment does not begin in a timely and adequate manner, the infection can spread to the soles of the feet and toenails. Through touch, the patient can spread infection to other parts of the body.
Causes of Athlete's foot
This condition is caused by fungi that grow in moist conditions: Trichophyton mantagrophytes , Trichophyton rubrum, interdigitale, Epidermophyton flocosum , Candida albicans. On this damaged skin bacteria and worsen symptoms and make it difficult to treat.Often the athlete's foot can get from other people who have it, if you walk on the wet floor barefooted. (eg, around the pool or in the bathrooms). Athlete's foot is more common in people whose feet are increasingly sweating. It can be spread by wearing shoes or using items of personal hygiene of an infected person.
The infection can be spread to the soles of the feet and toenails. It can be transferred to other parts of the body, if people scratched infected foot and later touching other parts of the body.
Athlete's foot Symptoms
On the skin of the feet: red, cracked, peeled skin, sometimes bleeding skin, itching, burning, tingling, development of small bubbles. These bubbles are often preced the cracking of the skin. When the bubble bursts, the sensitive areas of tissue below it become exposed, it is swollen and sore. Itching and burning sensation may become worse if the infection is spreading or getting worse. In severe cases, the skin may thicken and exfoliate.
On the toenails: change of color (the nail turns yellow or brown), thickening of the nail, unpleasant smell, accumulation of dead cells under the nail, white spots on the nails.
If the infection does not respond well to the application of these local drugs, it is necessary to take pills. Secondary bacterial infections that can happen may require baths and application of antibiotics.
The feet should be washed at least once a day with soap and warm water. After washing, they need to be well dried with a clean towel. Socks need to be frequently changed. It is recommended to use socks that absorb moisture, for example. those of cotton or wool. During the day, it would be good to take off your shoes and socks and expose your feet to the air (however, do not go barefooted!). Whenever possible, you should wear open-toed sandals.
Translator: Vladimir Comagic, MD
Resources:
On the toenails: change of color (the nail turns yellow or brown), thickening of the nail, unpleasant smell, accumulation of dead cells under the nail, white spots on the nails.
Athlete's foot Diagnosis
Diagnosis is based on a thorough examination of feet and taking a samples of skin or nail scrapings which are then observed in the laboratory under a microscope and grown culture out of them.Treatment of Athlete's foot
The treatment involves a series of antifungal products such as cream clotrimazole, miconazole, ketoconazole or ciclopirox-olamine cream.If the infection does not respond well to the application of these local drugs, it is necessary to take pills. Secondary bacterial infections that can happen may require baths and application of antibiotics.
The feet should be washed at least once a day with soap and warm water. After washing, they need to be well dried with a clean towel. Socks need to be frequently changed. It is recommended to use socks that absorb moisture, for example. those of cotton or wool. During the day, it would be good to take off your shoes and socks and expose your feet to the air (however, do not go barefooted!). Whenever possible, you should wear open-toed sandals.
Can You Prevent Athlete's foot
- When walking on wet floors you need to wear sandals, slippers or shoes
- Shoes and means of hygiene should not be shared with others
- Socks should be of an absorbent material such as cotton or wool
- If there is excessive sweating of the feet, socks should be changed several times a day
- Pick out shoes that allow air circulation
- The floors of the rooms shared by many people should be kept clean and dry
- Keep your feet clean and dry by occasional sprinkling the powder over them
- Regularly clean and ventilate your sport shoes
Translator: Vladimir Comagic, MD
Resources:
- http://www.dermatim.net/
- http://www.dermis.net/dermisroot/en/15678/diagnose.htm
- http://www.stetoskop.info/Atletsko-stopalo-Tinea-pedis-851-c35-sickness.htm
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