Beat Athlete's Foot With The Right Treatment By Our Trusted Podiatrists
Tinea Pedis or more commonly known as athlete's foot, due to the higher infection rate in athletes, is a highly contagious rash. This infection is commonly found on the feet, but can spread to any part of the body. Symptoms include itching, scaling, burning, and cracking of the skin, and in more severe cases, blisters, redness, and pain. Fortunately, with proper treatment by our podiatrists at Foot & Ankle Centers of Frisco, Little Elm, & McKinney, athlete's foot can be easily managed and cured.
What to Know About Athlete's Foot and Prevent Its Spread
Athlete's foot is a highly contagious fungal infection that begins growing on the skin between the toes. This fungus spreads quickly and thrives best in dark, warm, and damp environments. Athlete's foot is named after athletes, yet anyone can become infected. Athletes are more prone to this condition due to interactions in damp public facilities and having sweaty feet.
Often athlete's foot is found in many shared spaces, such as gym locker rooms, communal showers, and swimming pools. To reduce the risk of contamination, it is important to:
1. Wear sandals or other open-toed shoes in public areas.
2. Never share shoes, clothes, or towels with other people.
3. Wear clean, dry socks and change them often.
4. Use a separate towel for your feet.
5. Keep your feet clean and dry. Wash them and dry them thoroughly, especially between your toes, after swimming or sweating.
6. Apply an antifungal powder or spray to your feet, especially between your toes.
7. Avoid wearing closed-in shoes for extended periods of time.
8. Wear shoes made of materials that breathe, such as canvas or leather.
Common Symptoms of Athlete's Foot
Athlete's foot is a highly uncomfortable and contagious fungal infection with many unpleasant symptoms, such as:
- Red, scaly patches on the skin and soles of your feet
- Skin breaking down, which may create cracks, fissures, or blisters
- The appearance of peeling skin on the sole of the foot
- An unpleasant foot odor
- Dry skin that is often itchy, especially after removing shoes and socks
- Stinging or burning
- Toenails can become infected, this is seen when the nails gain yellow or brown streaks
Once infected, athlete’s foot tends to thrive inside sweaty shoes, therefore it is important to keep your feet dry and use prescribed medications to kill the fungus.
Best Treatments for Athlete's Foot
The majority of people with athlete’s foot can be treated right away with over-the-counter antifungal products. These creams contain active ingredients like miconazole, clotrimazole, terbinafine, and tolnaftate, which will help kill the fungus that causes athlete's foot. It is important that athlete's foot is only touched with disposable medical gloves, as the fungal infection can spread to many other parts of the body, such as hands, nails, feet, groin, and scalp. For example, athelet's foot can spread to the toenails and become fungal nails, which will require one of our podiatrists to examine and treat the infection.
For those with diabetes or poor circulation, any sign of a foot infection will require prompt treatment by one of our podiatrists. Athlete's foot has the ability to cause nerve damage, making it difficult to detect pain or other symptoms associated with the infection. If left untreated, athlete's foot can lead to serious complications, such as ulcers, secondary bacterial infections, and even amputation of the foot.
If your athlete’s foot does not improve after two weeks of using over-the-counter antifungal products, then you will need a prescription-strength cream or prescription antifungal pills prescribed by our podiatrists. Athlete's foot may be highly contagious and fast spreading, yet proper treatment by one of our podiatrists can eliminate the fungal infection and allow your feet to begin healing.