Athlete’s Foot - What is it and how is it treated?

Dr.Pooja Chopra, 3 mins read

Athlete’s Foot - What is it and how is it treated?
An athlete’s foot, also known as Tinea Pedis, is a contagious fungal infection that affects the skin on the feet, particularly between the toes. It is characterised by red, itchy, and sometimes painful skin, causing burning and stinging rash in the affected region.

Topical antifungal medications or prescribed treatment can be helpful for its treatment. You can talk to a doctor at Aakash Healthcare, Dwarka, Delhi. He or she will help you in its treatment and guide you on how to prevent its spread and recurrence.

What does an athlete’s foot look like?
Athlete’s feet can appear as red, scaly, and itchy skin between the toes, or it may cause blisters and ulcers on the feet. The skin may also become cracked and peeling, and in some cases, it may have a foul odour.

How common is it?
Athlete’s foot is a very common condition, affecting millions of people worldwide. It is more prevalent in individuals who frequently wear tight-fitting shoes, sweat excessively, or walk barefoot in public places such as locker rooms and swimming pools. As this problem is common among athletes, the condition is named as athlete’s foot.

Symptoms:
Common symptoms of athlete’s foot include itching, burning, stinging, and redness on the affected skin. Blisters, peeling, cracking, and a foul odour may also be present.

Causes:
Athlete’s foot is caused by dermatophytes, a type of fungi that thrive in warm, moist environments. These fungi are commonly found in places like locker rooms, swimming pools, and communal showers. Wearing tight-fitting shoes and not drying the feet properly after bathing or sweating can also contribute to developing this problem.

Different types of athlete’s foot:

• Toe web infection: This type of athlete’s foot typically affects the skin between the toes, especially the skin between the fourth toe (ring toe) and fifth toe (pinkie toe). The condition is characterised by redness, itching, and peeling.
• Moccasin-type infection: This form usually affects the bottom of the feet, heels and edge of the feet. Rarely, it can also affect toenails. This makes the skin become thickened, cracked, and scaly. And the foot could become sore for a couple of days.
• Vesicular-type infection: This type of athlete’s foot typically affects the bottom of the feet, leading to the development of fluid-filled blisters in the affected region.
• Ulcerative infection: It is the rarest form among all the four types of athlete’s foot. It causes open sores or ulcers between the toes and on the bottom of the feet.

Diagnosis:
A healthcare professional can usually diagnose an athlete’s foot based on the appearance of the affected skin and symptoms. In some cases, a sample of the affected skin may be taken for further examination under a microscope to confirm the presence of fungi.

Treatment:
Treatment for an athlete's foot typically involves visiting a healthcare professional who will prescribe antifungal medications in the form of creams, gels, powders, or sprays. In more severe cases, antifungal pills may be required. Remember to complete the full course of treatment. And don’t use any medications without a prescription.

It is also important to keep the feet clean and dry, wear breathable footwear, and avoid walking barefoot in public areas to prevent the recurrence of the athlete’s foot. Also, don’t scratch the affected region, as the problem can spread to other parts of the body.

Takeaway!
An athlete’s foot is an annoying and unpleasant condition. Antifungal medications and a few precautions mentioned above can help you get rid of this itchy condition. It’s important to follow your healthcare provider’s advice for its treatment.