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athletes foot

Athletes foot is a common fungal infection of the foot. It is estimated that upwards of 70 percent of the population will suffer from this condition sometime during their life. Athletes foot does not necessarily only affect physically active individuals; it can occur anytime conditions are right; usually dark moist environments is where this type of fungus flourishes.

Athletes foot is known as a superficial dermatophyte meaning it grows in the superficial layers of skin. There are four dermatophytes that can cause athletes foot, also known as tinea pedis. The most common is trichophyton rubrum.

There are different forms of athlete's foot. The most common is an annoying, persistent itching of the skin on the sole of the foot or between the toes. As the infection progresses, the skin grows soft. The center of the infection is inflamed and sensitive to the touch. Gradually, the edges of the infected area become milky white and the skin begins to peel. There may also be a slight watery discharge. Although this condition can be very uncomfortable in terms of itching, the bigger problem is the formation of a secondary bacterial infection and a resulting cellulitis.

The secondary bacterial infection is potentially a much more dangerous condition, particularly in diabetes and those with suppressed immune systems.

This type of athletes foot is more of an acute type. Note the left foot in this picture. The redness seen around the toes is a secondary cellulitis from an existing athletes foot in between the toes. Not only did this patient require treatment for the athletes foot but also oral antibiotics for the cellulitis.The more chronic type of athletes foot is characterized as a non-inflammatory type of athletes foot.

It appears more as a dull redness, no active drainage, and pronounced scaling of the skin, usually on the bottom of the foot. It may involve the whole plantar (bottom) aspect of the foot resulting in a moccasin appearance. Itching and blister formation are generally not evident in this type of athletes foot. The picture on the right demonstrates the more chronic form of athletes foot.

Many people will present to the office complaining of chronic dry skin particularly in their heels. They have tried different dry skin lotions with no success. What they fail to realize is that part of that “dry skin” component in the heel is actually chronic athletes foot and unless that issue is addressed, the heels will not clear up. (See my section on heel fissures)

Another problem with athletes foot is that it can spread to the nails of the feet and then infect them. This condition is known as onychomycosis. The reverse is also true. In those individuals that suffer from mycotic nails it is not uncommon to see the condition spread to the skin in the form of athletes foot.

Depending on its presentation athletes foot at times can be difficult to distinguish from eczema. Topical cortisone cream is generally used for eczema; if it is used on athletes foot, it will suppress the symptoms of athletes foot but usually the athletes foot will worsen once you stop using the cream.

The best way to suppress athletes foot is to eliminate the environment in which it flourishes. As previously mentioned, athletes foot thrives in dark moist environments, so be reversing that in environment you can better control the condition.

This means alternating your shoes on a daily basis. It also means allowing your shoes to “air out” by not throwing them in a dark closet at the end of the day but perhaps keeping them by an open window or back porch in an effort to allow them to dry out.

Wearing perspiration absorbing socks and perhaps even changing them twice a day can be very beneficial especially in severe cases. Click on the image below to take a look at great socks for absorbing moisture.

When bathing wash the affected area well with soap and water and then dry the area well. Avoid commonly shared surfaces such as bathrooms, gyms and pools where it is very easily to catch or spread athletes foot.

Most of the prescription antifungal medication is now sold over the counter. The biggest mistake people make is not using the medication for a long enough period of time. As the condition begins to improve many people will stop using the medication thinking the condition has resolved. Unfortunately the fungus is still residing in the skin and in many cases the symptoms will return. In most cases topical antifungal cream has to be used twice a day for 3-4 weeks irregardless of how good the foot may look or feel.

For those individuals who are prone to athletes foot such as people who work in warm moist environments, those who must wear high top work boots and athletic individuals, athletes foot will be an ongoing problem with recurrences, but by following the advice given above you can minimize its recurrence and its symptoms.