Athlete's Foot - Tinea Pedis - OmniMedicalSearch.com

Conditions & Diseases: Skin Diseases

Athlete's Foot (Tinea Pedis)

Definition: Athlete's foot is a general term used to describe a ringworm based fungal infection of the feet. The medical term for athlete's foot is tinea pedis. Not all skin irritations of the foot are forms of tinea pedis.

Symptoms: Athlete's foot commonly starts between the toes as an irritation, itching and burning of the skin. This fungus infection can easily give way to a bacterial infection and if left untreated - can cause the skin to whiten, crack, peel and blister. If the blisters pop, raw skin will be exposed causing further pain and discomfort.

Athlete's foot can also spread to other areas of the body when one scratches the infected area and then touches other parts of their body including the genital area and armpits. The fungus and bacteria infections are also accompanied by a noticable bad smell.

Causes: Athlete's foot thrives in warm, moist, dark and unaerated regions. It is most often picked up around swimming pools, communal showers and locker rooms. The body hosts many microorganisms including bacteria and fungi - some of which are useful to the body. When the fungi multiply and spread, this can cause a skin infection called dermatophytosis. Dermatophytosis of the foot is athlete's foot or tinea pedis (1).

Prevention: Athlete's foot is contagious and can most commonly spread through contact with shoes, socks, shower room floors, locker room floors and swimming pools. To prevent this contact, wear shower shoes when walking in "community areas" such as those mentioned above. Wearing socks and shoes that "breathe" is also important as is washing your feet with soap and water twice a day. Talcum powder or foot powder applied to the feet before you put on your socks and shoes can also help the skin resist infection. It is important to remember to keep your feet clean and dry. Avoid wearing shoes or socks that are vinyl or plastic based and retain water.

Treatment: Athlete's foot can be successfully treated 30 percent of the time with over the counter medicated lotions (anti-fungal creams) like miconazole, itraconazole, terbinafine and a keratolytic such as salicylic acid. Because these treatments can provide immediate relief to iching and burning, patients can easily assume the infection is gone. Therefore, there is a high risk of re-infection. Anti-fungal creams should be applied for up to 45 days and all socks, shoes and bed sheets should be washed in hot water. If the infection persists, your doctor or podiatrist who may prescribe oral medication to erradicate the fungi infection. (1,2)

Article by Jason Morrow,
OmniMedicalSearch.com

Sources:
(1). Wikipedia.com - Athlete's Foot
(2). Apma.org - American Podiatric Medical Association