More about Athletes foot...
Some Common Causes
- Walking barefoot and picking up the infection from another person - this can happen in communal places such as swimming pools and changing rooms in the gym, or even your bathroom floor.
- By using shared towels.
- Keeping your feet in warm, dark, moist and airless conditions (such as in training shoes) for a prolonged period of time. This gives the fungus the perfect conditions to grow.
- Also, strangely, it can be seen on dry skin. It’s common in sandal wearers during the summer as the skin has dried and lost it’s natural protective oils and this combined with the stress on your foot from the wearing of sandals make your feet more prone to infection.
The Main Symptoms are:
- Itchy or burning feet. You will feel like "your feet are on fire".
- You may notice a red scaly rash.
- You may have particular problems between your 3rd, 4th and 5th toes.
- There may be a painful stinging sensation when you scratch the effected areas
- There will be peeling skin and possible cracking between your toes
Cathy Bowen
MSc DPodM ILTM, Podiatrist
Athletes foot
This is a term given to a fungal infection of the skin on your
foot. If left untreated it can spread to other parts of your foot
including your nails. It can spread to your hands, and even to your
face. It is easily passed from one person to another through contact
with their infected skin.
Suggested Treatments for Athletes foot
Keep your feet dry - pad them with a towel - don't rub them.
If the problem is occurring on your feet which are very dry already then rub in an antifungal cream using gloves to protect the spread of the infection to your hands.
Pay attention to you're the way you look after your feet. Good hygiene is very important. Change your socks or hosiery regularly.
Wash your feet with anti-bacterial soap.
Apply anti-fungal cream, powder or spray to fight the fungal infection.
Change the brand you are using if you don't get results after a few weeks.
Keep up the treatment program, even if you think the infection is gone as the fungus causing the problem in the first place can still be there for a long time after the discomfort has disappeared.
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Treating your condition
The Traffic Light symbol at the top of each condition page indicates the way you should approach it:
Red: Seek professional help immediately, either from a suitably qualified Podiatrist or Physiotherapist.
Amber: You can treat this condition yourself BUT you should seek professional help if you want reassurance that what you are doing is the best approach for you.
Green: You can treat this condition yourself if you feel comfortable doing so. However, for further reassurance it might be as well to talk the condition through with a suitably qualified Podiatrist.
Remember this advice is for guidance only and if you are in any doubt at all, please consult your nearest HPC Registered Podiatrist.