Athlete's Foot Specialist

What is athlete’s foot?

Athlete’s foot is a common fungal infection. It typically appears between your toes, often causing great itchiness, discomfort, or pain. 

The fungus that causes the infection, tinea pedis, thrives in damp, warm, and humid environments like the inside of close-toed shoes, public swimming pools, and locker rooms. The infection got its name because it frequently develops in the athletes who spend time in these places. 

Athlete’s foot is transmissible through towels, clothing, and bed sheets as well.  

What are the signs of athlete’s foot?

Athlete’s foot usually causes obvious symptoms such as:

• Intense itching
• Burning
• Scaly skin
• Peeling skin
• Red skin
• Blisters
• Bleeding, if blisters rupture or skin breaks

These symptoms often indicate athlete’s foot, but other conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and allergic reactions can cause similar symptoms. 

Although the symptoms usually start between your toes, the infection can spread to the bottom of your feet and toenails (nail fungus). If you scratch the infected skin and then rub or touch another part of your body, you could develop symptoms in that other area as well.

Athlete’s foot can potentially lead to a secondary bacterial infection like cellulitis if you have skin breaks or open blisters. You’re particularly susceptible to this type of complication if you have diabetes or another condition that weakens your immune response. 

A secondary bacterial infection can cause additional symptoms like spreading skin redness, swelling, skin dimpling, and fever. 

How do you treat athlete’s foot?

Your Foot Healers podiatrist starts by diagnosing athlete’s foot and ruling out other sources of infection. Your podiatrist may collect tiny skin scrapings and examine them to verify your diagnosis. 

In many cases, topical or oral antifungal prescriptions are the best treatment for athlete’s foot. It’s very important to take all of the medication as directed to fully eradicate the fungus. 

How can I prevent athlete’s foot from returning?

Your Foot Healers podiatrist can recommend some preventive steps, such as:

• Avoiding walking barefoot
• Washing and drying your feet daily
• Not wearing damp socks or shoes
• Not sharing footwear with anyone else
• Using a recommended foot powder to reduce sweating

By carefully following your podiatrist’s advice, you’ll never need to know the misery of recurrent athlete’s foot. 

If you’re dealing with athlete’s foot symptoms, come to the compassionate foot care specialists at Foot Healers for relief. Call the office nearest you or book an appointment with the online scheduler now.