igforum.bio
/
what-is-athlete-s-foot-symptoms-causes-diagnosis-treatment-and-prevention-everyday-health
-
18490
G
% What Is Athlete s Foot Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment and Prevention Everyday Health MenuNewslettersSearch Athlete's Foot
visibility
453 views
thumb_up
26 likes
S
Signs and Symptoms of Athlete s Foot
The most common symptoms of athlete’s foot include a scaly rash that usually causes an itching and burning sensation around the affected area, often between the toes.The “moccasin” variety of athlete’s foot causes dryness and scaling on the soles of the feet. This can also extend up the side of the foot and be mistaken for eczema or dry skin. Athlete’s foot causes several symptoms that affect the feet, including:Red and itchy skinMild scaling of the skin, which may cover small areas or the entire sole of the footPainful cracking (fissuring) of the skin, typically a result of severe scalingFluid-filled blistersThickening of the soles of the feet The fungal infection can also spread to the toenails, causing them to discolor, thicken, or crumble.
thumb_up
22 likes
A
Athlete’s foot can damage the skin and leave it open for bacterial infections, such as cellulitis, to develop. If you develop a rash on your foot that doesn’t improve within two weeks of starting self-care with an over-the-counter antifungal ointment or spray, talk to your doctor.Although the infection is generally minor, it can be more serious if you have diabetes. If you have diabetes and think you have athlete’s foot, talk to your doctor.
thumb_up
30 likes
C
You should also talk to your doctor if you notice excessive redness, swelling, drainage, or fever. These symptoms can be a sign of a secondary infection that could spread and cause serious health complications.
thumb_up
18 likes
S
Related: 7 Easy Home Hacks for Healthy Skin
Causes and Risk Factors of Athlete s Foot
Athlete’s foot may be caused by several different types of fungi, including yeasts. Most commonly, fungi called dermatophytes — which require keratin for growth and frequently lead to skin diseases — can cause the foot infection.In particular, Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes often cause the condition.
thumb_up
42 likes
C
Epidermophyton floccosum is also a dominant species behind athlete’s foot. Dermatophytes also cause the skin infections ringworm and jock itch.
thumb_up
45 likes
O
In the case of athlete’s foot, the fungi grow in the top layer of skin (the epidermis) and first enter the skin through small cracks. The microbes require moisture and warmth to grow and spread.
thumb_up
50 likes
S
Athlete’s foot is contagious, so it’s possible to get the infection from touching the affected skin of someone who has it, even if they don’t have an active case. In addition, you can get athlete’s foot if you have poor hygiene, such as if you:Don’t wash and dry your feet after exercising, or after your feet get wet (including from sweat)Wear damp socks or tight-fitting shoesShare mats, rugs, bed linens, clothes, or shoes with someone who has itWalk barefoot in public areas such as locker rooms, saunas, swimming pools, and showersMen are also more likely to develop athlete’s foot.
thumb_up
42 likes
S
Editor s Picks
10 Common Foot Problems and How to Manage Them
How to Prevent and Treat Toenail and Foot Fungus
What Your Nails Say About Your Health
How Is Athlete s Foot Diagnosed
Your doctor may be able to diagnose athlete’s foot simply by looking at it. The diagnosis can also be confirmed by your doctor by taking a thorough patient history.In some cases, to rule out other conditions, your doctor may take a skin sample from your foot for lab analyses. If these tests are needed, they may include: A KOH testA skin cultureA skin biopsy In a KOH test, your doctor will use a needle or another tool to scrape samples from your skin and examine them under a microscope.
thumb_up
27 likes
N
Then a solution containing potassium hydroxide (KOH) is added to the samples to dissolve the cellular material to reveal any fungi. For a skin culture, your doctor will use a cotton swab to collect a sample from the affected area for lab testing.
thumb_up
5 likes
M
A skin biopsy can also be used to identify the specific fungus causing your athlete’s foot. It’s also usually performed in your doctor’s office, under local anesthetic. It usually takes about two weeks to receive results for these tests.
thumb_up
9 likes
T
Prognosis of Athlete s Foot
Athlete’s foot usually responds well to self-care, although it can come back. If you have a health condition that places you at increased risk for infections — such as diabetes — long-term treatment with antifungal medication and preventive measures may be necessary.
thumb_up
44 likes
H
The infection can also spread to the toenails, causing them to crack.
Duration of Athlete s Foot
Your athlete’s foot symptoms should go away within two to four weeks of self-care.
thumb_up
33 likes
A
However, if they don’t, talk to your doctor. You should also talk to your doctor immediately if your foot becomes swollen and warm to the touch or if you see red marks or pus or experience pain or fever.
thumb_up
5 likes
G
These are signs of a possible bacterial infection.
Treatment and Medication Options for Athlete s Foot
Athlete’s foot is highly treatable with nonprescription, over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Your chosen treatment should be used for 2 to 4 weeks, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
thumb_up
29 likes
E
Medication Options
OTC antifungal creams, gels, lotions, sprays, and powders for athlete’s foot should contain one of the following active ingredients:ClotrimazoleMiconazoleOxiconazoleKetoconazole Your doctor may also recommend prescription oral antifungal medicines — examples include terbinafine or itraconazole — or oral antibiotics for any bacterial infections that may develop. There are also prescription topical creams designed to kill the fungus that causes athlete’s foot.More About Skin HealthHow to Prevent and Treat 8 Common Skin Problems
Alternative and Complementary Therapies
For athlete’s foot, some people swear by home remedies such as tea tree oil or footbaths that contain certain herbal products. However, there have been very few studies evaluating the effectiveness of these remedies for athlete’s foot, and what few exist have yielded conflicting results.A study published in the Australasian Journal of Dermatology found that a 50 percent tea tree oil solution cured athlete’s foot in about two-thirds of people.
thumb_up
47 likes
N
The only side effect was minor skin irritation, and that affected nearly 4 percent of study participants. In addition to tea tree oil, a compound in garlic called ajoene has been shown to have antifungal properties, and some research suggests that it’s effective against tinea pedis.
thumb_up
25 likes
A
However, in the United States, this compound can be found only as an ingredient in garlic supplements, and it’s unclear whether these products can help with athlete’s foot.
Prevention of Athlete s Foot
Steps you can take to prevent athlete’s foot include: Keeping feet clean and dryWashing your feet with soap after exercisingAvoiding wearing heavy, closed shoes or thick socksChanging socks oftenMaking sure socks are washed between usesUsing antifungal foot powder on feet and in shoesWearing flip-flops in gym showers or locker rooms to avoid contact with fungiAiring your feet out by taking your shoes off, or wearing sandals, as often as possibleAvoiding public swimming pools and public showersNot sharing with others items used during exercise (equipment, towels, etc.) Try wearing only cotton socks, which are more effective at absorbing sweat.
thumb_up
19 likes
G
If possible, choose footwear made with breathable materials, such as leather. Shoes made of vinyl and similar materials can retain sweat and create an environment for fungi to grow. When you’re doing laundry, consider using hot water and bleach, which can kill fungi in ways detergent can’t.
thumb_up
3 likes
D
Related: Is That Rash Psoriasis or Something Else?
Complications of Athlete s Foot
Athlete’s foot infection can spread to other parts of your body, such as:Your handsYour toenailsYour groin If you scratch or pick at the infected areas of your feet, you run the risk of developing a similar infection on your hands.In addition, the fungi that cause athlete’s foot can also infect your toenails — and this area can be more resistant to treatment.
thumb_up
27 likes
J
Finally, the condition known as jock itch may be caused by the same fungus responsible for athlete’s foot, and it’s common for the infection to spread from the feet to the groin via your hands or a towel. The affected area of your foot can also become infected with bacteria in addition to fungus. If this occurs, your foot may become red or swollen and you may experience pain.
thumb_up
34 likes
S
If you develop these symptoms, call your doctor immediately.
Research and Statistics Who Has Athlete s Foot How Many People Have Athlete s Foot
As mentioned above, as many as 25 percent of people have the condition at any given time.
thumb_up
28 likes
L
Athlete’s foot is believed to be more common in men than in women, although there are no exact statistics for prevalence based on gender.
Related Conditions and Causes of Athlete s Foot
Athlete’s foot is closely related to other fungal infections, including ringworm and jock itch. Ringworm of the body (also called tinea corporis) doesn’t come from a worm.
thumb_up
1 likes
M
It appears as a red and itchy rash that takes the shape of a circle with clearer skin in the middle — hence the name. Ringworm spreads by direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected person or animal, including household pets. Mild ringworm usually responds to antifungal medications applied to the skin, but more severe infections may need treatment with prescription oral medications.
thumb_up
4 likes
E
Similarly, jock itch (also called tinea cruris) is a fungal infection that causes an itchy rash in areas of your body, such as your groin, that tend to be warm and moist. Although often uncomfortable, it usually isn’t serious.
Resources We Love
The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society maintains FootcareMD.org, a site that provides comprehensive information on a variety of conditions affecting the feet (it also includes a symptom checker).
thumb_up
28 likes
E
The American Podiatric Medical Association’s site is another trustworthy source of information on conditions affecting the feet, such as diabetes.
Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking
Crawford F.
thumb_up
25 likes
E
Athlete’s Foot. BMJ Clinical Evidence. 2009.
thumb_up
18 likes
B
Athlete’s Foot. Mayo Clinic.
thumb_up
18 likes
N
February 9, 2018. Athlete’s Foot. MedlinePlus.
thumb_up
45 likes
B
November 3, 2020. Al Hasan M, Fitzgerald SM, Saoudian M, Krishnaswamy G.
thumb_up
4 likes
J
Dermatology for the Practicing Allergist: Tinea Pedis and Its Complications. Clinical and Molecular Allergy.
thumb_up
42 likes
J
2004. Athlete’s Foot: Overview. InformedHealth.org.
thumb_up
15 likes
A
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. October 11, 2019.
thumb_up
22 likes
A
Satchell AC, Saurajen A, Bell C, Barnetson RS. Treatment of Interdigital Tinea Pedis With 25% and 50% Tea Tree Oil Solution: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Blinded Study. Australasian Journal of Dermatology.
thumb_up
34 likes
W
August 2002. Ledezma E, Marcano K, Jorquera A, De Sousa L, et al. Efficacy of Ajoene in the Treatment of Tinea Pedis: A Double-Blind and Comparative Study With Terbinafine.
thumb_up
48 likes
H
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. November 2000.
thumb_up
35 likes
C
Athlete’s Foot. Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. November 28, 2012.
thumb_up
28 likes
I
Sources
Athlete’s Foot. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
thumb_up
37 likes
H
Nigam PK, Saleh D. Tinea Pedis. StatPearls.
thumb_up
41 likes
A
September 8, 2020. Athlete’s Foot. American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society.
thumb_up
48 likes
N
Athlete’s Foot. University of Michigan Health System.
thumb_up
9 likes
N
October 30, 2019.Show Less
NEWSLETTERS
Sign up for our Healthy Skin Newsletter
SubscribeBy subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.The Latest in Athlete' s Foot
Body Lice Symptoms Diagnosis and Treatment
By Holly PevznerOctober 21, 2022The Emotional Toll of Having Bedbugs
Bedbugs are particularly disturbing because they invade such an intimate and personal space.
thumb_up
49 likes
N
Here’s how not to let the bugs get the best of your mental...By Moira LawlerOctober 18, 2022
11 Potential Causes of Hair Loss and Baldness
By Kristeen Cherney, PhDOctober 7, 2022Identifying and Treating Spider Bites
By Markham HeidOctober 5, 2022Why Mosquito Bites Itch and How to Get Relief
By Markham HeidOctober 5, 2022Everything You Need to Know About Mite and Flea Bites
By Markham HeidOctober 5, 2022What s a Typical Day Like With Psoriasis
By Howard ChangSeptember 30, 202210 Common Questions About Impetigo
This bacterial infection can cause blisters and crusting on the skin, but antibiotics are very effective at mitigating symptoms and reducing the spread...By Moira LawlerSeptember 30, 2022Best and Worst Drinks for Psoriasis
Can drinking more water help ease psoriasis symptoms? How good or bad is alcohol, tea, or soda?
thumb_up
8 likes
S
Here’s how to make the healthiest choices for your skin...By Becky UphamSeptember 30, 2022
Impetigo Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment and More
By Valencia HigueraSeptember 29, 2022 MORE INTurmeric Curcumin A Complete Scientific Guide
What Is Sea Moss Irish Moss A Complete Scientific Guide
What Is Acupuncture A Beginner s Guide to How It Works and How It May Improve Your Health
thumb_up
40 likes
Similar Discussions
-
Sam Smith Dramatic Body Transformation
-
Vitoria Guimaraes vs Benfica Prediction and Betting Tips October 1 2022
-
Nahida s kit passive abilities and signature weapon in Genshin Impact
-
CSI Vegas season 2 Meet the new actors joining the CBS show
-
Elizabeth Gomes NYC subway attack victim calls out mayor after revealing gruesome injuries
-
While her Emmy sits on her desk Quinta Brunson BuzzFeed memes trend amid Ned Fulmer Try Guys drama
-
World of Magic codes in Roblox Free crowns and multipliers September 2022
-
Jack Ryan Season 3 Release date plot number of episodes and more details about John Krasinski s Prime Video crime thriller
-
WATCH Video shows armed carjacker attacking Philadelphia mom and teen daughter
-
Mike Tyson discusses drug addiction
-
Jake Paul sends support to the women of Iran
-
5 new Netflix documentaries to watch in October 2022
-
GTA Online showroom vehicles revealed Sept 22 2022
-
Nicholas Latifi backed by team principal Jost Capito
-
Call of the Night episode 12 release date where to watch what to expect and more
-
Why did Michael Fishman leave The Conners ahead of season 5 and how will his character DJ Conner be written off?
-
LFW 2022 Twitter users support JW Anderson s crazy ideas for the SS23 collection
-
I ve a three year deal here Chelsea suffer blow as Sporting Director hints at stay with current club
-
Michael B Jordan and Canelo Alvarez in Creed III
-
Tokyo Revengers Twitter celebrates Kazutora s birthday with spectacular fanarts
-
One Piece Millennium 3 codes in Roblox Free Beli August 2022
-
Asia Cup 2022 Evidence suggests you re doing something right to get here Saqlain Mushtaq defends Pakistan despite losing in final
-
Current plans for Cody Rhodes WWE return Reports
-
Renee Paquette reacts to Jon Moxley s scathing promo on AEW Dynamite
-
Roman Atwood reveals $20 million revenue to Logan Paul
-
Garena Free Fire redeem codes for 5 September 2022 How to get free emotes and vouchers
-
What time will Power Book III Raising Kanan Season 2 episode 4 air on Starz? Release date plot and more explored
-
Mark Henry advises unhappy AEW star MJF to reconcile with Tony Khan
-
Following news of hospitalization Rafael Nadal confirms wife Maria Francisca Perello is not in any danger
-
Life With Alopecia Your Guide to Microblading Eyelash Extensions and More Everyday Health