Athlete's Foot

A chronic infection of the skin caused by various types of fungus, athlete’s foot is often transmitted in moist areas where people walk barefoot. Red itchy patches with white flaky skin mark it. Athlete’s foot is also referred to tinea pedis and is by far the most common fungal infection of the skin.

Public showers, swimming pools, bathhouses and locker rooms are common places of where a fungal infection can first come in contact. The infections can be either acute or chronic. If left untreated, the infection can spread across the rest of the foot and possibly up the body.

If there is a recurrent form that reappears, the fungus infection will probably be associated with an infected toenail. Athlete’s foot is a communicable disease, thus can be transmitted

Symptoms

- Scaling, flaking and itching of affected skin

• Most commonly affects between toes

- Blistering and cracked skin

• Can eventually lead to raw skin tissue, pain, swelling and inflammation

- Secondary bacterial infections

- Spread of infection to other parts of body

Common Causes

- Transmission from person to person

• Walking in moist environments where the fungus resides, such as public showers, swimming pools, bathhouses and locker rooms
• Sharing of footwear

- Toenail infections that spreads to skin

Treatment

- Over-the-counter medications

- Good hygiene and preventative measures

- Soaking feet in Epsom salts and warm water

- Wearing sandals to help reduce moisture accumulation will help control spread of infection

- Treating fungal infection with oral or topical medications (for severe cases)

- Treating secondary bacterial infection with antibiotics (if necessary)