Athlete's foot is a fungal infection that affects the superficial layer of the skin, causing rashes that can spread easily. Most people suffer from this type of infection at least once in their life. Fungi thrive in warm, humid environments, such as in the area between the toes. A fungal infection can usually be treated at home with topical over-the-counter antifungal medications (applied to the skin) and by taking preventative measures to avoid future infections. However, after treatment, athlete's foot can recur if there are still ideal conditions for mycosis to grow and develop.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Diagnosing Athlete's Foot
Step 1. Assess if you are at risk of getting the infection
If you come into contact with contaminated surfaces and create an environment conducive to the growth of fungi, you could develop athlete's foot. Potentially hazardous environments include swimming pools, changing rooms, and public showers, if you enter barefoot after they have been used by someone with mycosis. There are also some behaviors that can predispose you to developing athlete's foot, such as:
- Wear tight shoes that restrict air circulation;
- Wear shoes lined with plastic material;
- Leaving your feet wet or damp for long periods
- Frequently having sweaty feet
- Develop an injury to the skin or nails.
Step 2. Recognize the symptoms of the infection
Most of these occur around the skin irritation caused by mycosis. There are three types of athlete's foot that can experience slightly different symptoms. These can be mild, moderate or severe; some, such as itching, can get worse as soon as you take off your shoes and socks.
- Among the symptoms of athlete's foot you can note:
- Itching and burning;
- Chapped or peeling skin
- Cracked skin;
- Bleeding
- Pain in the infected area.
Step 3. Examine your feet carefully for signs of infection
Check both of them very carefully in good light, so that you don't miss any areas. Pay particular attention to the points between the toes and under the sole. If you see some areas of dry, red, cracking or flaking skin and the symptoms seem similar to those described in this article, you should start athlete's foot treatment.
Step 4. Look for an infection in the flap of skin between the fingers
This type of mycosis often develops between the fourth and fifth toes. In this case the symptoms, such as peeling, cracked and cracked skin, are localized in this area. Sometimes a bacterial infection also develops, causing further damage to the skin.
Step 5. Check for a "moccasin" infection
This type of mycosis can start with very slight thickening or cracking both on the heel and elsewhere under the sole of the foot. It then gradually begins to worsen, infecting the nails which in turn begin to become thick, flake and may even fall out. Be sure to check your nails for signs of irritation or fungal infection as well.
Step 6. Check for a vesicular infection
In this case, mycosis causes fluid-filled blisters that suddenly form on the foot. Sometimes these bubbles show up under the plant. In other cases, a bacterial infection can also form along with the fungal one, further aggravating the symptoms.
Step 7. Know that athlete's foot can spread to other parts of the body
Fungal infection is opportunistic and can develop in any condition that allows it to thrive. You should always wash your hands thoroughly after touching the infected areas of the feet in any way.
- The fungal infection can spread to the hands, especially if you often touch the infected areas of the feet.
- It can also spread to the fingernails and toenails. In this case, the treatment becomes much more difficult than for the skin infection alone.
- Athlete's foot can also develop into inguinal mycosis and affect this area of the body. Keep in mind that the fungus responsible for athlete's foot can also contaminate objects, such as towels, and can transfer through your hands if, for example, you touch an infected foot and then scratch your groin.
Step 8. Go to the dermatologist
He will be able to diagnose athlete's foot by examining the infected area. You will be able to check for visible signs that indicate the presence of mycosis. In addition, you may decide to undergo some tests to confirm the diagnosis, such as:
- Perform a skin scraping from the infected area and analyze the cells under a microscope;
- Use the black light (Wood's lamp) to check the feet and check for mycosis;
- Send a skin sample to a laboratory for further analysis.
Part 2 of 3: Treating Athlete's Foot
Step 1. Choose over-the-counter topical medications
There are many antifungal products that do not require a prescription, such as creams, solutions, gels, sprays, ointments, tampons or powders that are effective for treating this fungal infection. For some of these, it takes 1-2 weeks to see results, while for others it takes up to 4-8 weeks for the fungal infection to be eradicated. Fast-acting drugs tend to be slightly more expensive than the others, but in this case, less medicine is needed to complete the treatment.
Over-the-counter topical antifungals typically contain one of the following active ingredients: clotrimazole, miconazole, terbinafine, or tolnaftate. Treatments usually last from 1 to 8 weeks, depending on the drug you choose
Step 2. Apply topical antifungal
Wash your hands before treating athlete's foot. The area must be thoroughly dry before spreading the drug directly on the rash and surrounding areas. Even if the rashes disappear, the fungus may still be present on the skin, so you need to continue drug therapy.
- You should continue using the antifungal powder or cream products for another 1-2 weeks after the fungus has disappeared to make sure the infection does not return.
- Always take your medications by following the instructions described on the box, tube or leaflet attached. Do not skip the doses and do not finish the treatment before the times recommended by the doctor, even if the symptoms disappear sooner.
- Never tear off peeling skin. You could damage the surrounding healthy one and spread the infection.
Step 3. Use aluminum acetate (Burow's solution)
This astringent and antibacterial solution is sometimes used for dermatological problems and is readily available without a prescription. It is particularly suitable for treating vesicular mycosis.
- Follow the directions and soak the infected foot in the solution several times a day for at least 3 days. When all the fluid from the blisters has dried, you can apply a topical antifungal medication to the infected area.
- You can also put Burow's solution on a cloth or gauze and apply it directly to the affected area.
Step 4. Make sure your feet stay dry as much as possible
As already mentioned, the ideal environment in which mycoses develop are warm and humid environments; the feet tend to be perfect places for this pathogen to proliferate. Do everything in your power to keep your feet dry throughout the day.
- Change your shoes and socks as often as necessary to keep your feet dry. When you feel your socks are getting wet, it's time to change them. Put on a new clean pair of cotton wool each time. Synthetic fibers are not able to promote perspiration as much as cotton.
- A useful trick is to put a silica bag (often found in the packaging of new shoes or bags) inside the socks as you wear them throughout the day. It may be a little uncomfortable, but this material is great for wicking away moisture.
- To fight the fungal infection, you can also use talcum powder or an antifungal powder to spray on the feet and inside of the shoes.
Step 5. Wash your feet twice a day
Use soap and water, paying special attention to the area between the fingers, both times. After cleaning, completely dry your feet, including the area between the toes, using a clean towel.
Step 6. Use tea tree oil (also called tea tree oil) or garlic
Both of these natural remedies are useful for the treatment of athlete's foot if applied regularly. This is because both tea tree oil and garlic contain antifungal compounds that are effective in killing fungi and eradicating infection. Keep in mind that while both can reduce symptoms, sometimes the infection may not be fully resolved.
Step 7. Take prescription medications
If the infection is severe or shows no signs of improvement, your doctor may prescribe stronger topical or oral (to be taken by mouth) antifungals. Some of these may cause side effects, so talk to your doctor about the medications they recommend.
- Topical prescription medications include those that contain butenafine, clotrimazole or naftifine.
- The antifungals in tablets are based on fluconazole, itraconazole and terbinafine. They typically need to be taken for 2-8 weeks, depending on the type of drug chosen.
Part 3 of 3: Preventing Athlete's Foot
Step 1. Wear sandals or flip-flops when going to the pools and public showers
Since this is an infection, you need to create a barrier between your feet and potential means of contagion. Never walk barefoot in public places, especially in areas that tend to be hot and wet.
Before putting your shoes back on, always dry your feet thoroughly after swimming or when you get out of the pool
Step 2. Alternate your shoes every day
Let them air dry for a minimum of 24 hours before wearing them again. Fungi can live inside your shoes for some time, so you need to avoid getting infected again. To make sure footwear does not become vehicles of infection, wear a pair of shoes one day and change shoes the next day.
Purchase new shoes if necessary
Step 3. Use over-the-counter antifungal products responsibly and consciously
Whenever you are concerned about being exposed to athlete's foot, put on an antifungal cream or powder. If you know you need to be outdoors on a hot day or are going to work out, add a layer of antifungal protection to your feet, especially if you are prone to getting this infection often. If you go swimming and have lost your flip flops, practice the second common sense prevention technique: dry your feet thoroughly and apply antifungal powder as a preventative measure.
Step 4. Disinfect clothes, tools and shoes
Anything you put on your feet during infection should be disinfected with bleach or other cleaners. This includes the clippers, socks, and anything that has come into contact with the feet. The last thing you want is to reinfect yourself after taking all this time to treat yeast infection.
Use very hot water and bleach to kill athlete's foot fungus in clothing and shoes
Step 5. Wear looser footwear
If they are too tight, they do not allow adequate air circulation around the foot and this facilitates the development of the infection. Another thing you can do is to put some lambswool between your toes to keep them separate when you put your shoes on. You can find this material in pharmacies or pedicure centers.
Advice
- Dry the groin area before your feet when you bathe or go to the pool. Put on your socks before putting on your underwear to avoid the risk of spreading the fungal infection in the groin.
- Get advice from your doctor about the type of medication to use.
Warnings
- If athlete's foot is not treated, it can spread to other people or lead to bacterial infections.
- If the infection does not heal or gets worse, you should see your family doctor or a podiatrist.
- If you have diabetes and are experiencing athlete's foot symptoms, you should see your doctor.
