Athlete's foot, also known as tinea pedis, is a fairly common fungal infection, especially among athletes or people who often shower barefoot in common areas. The main cause of this infection is direct exposure to fungi or mold while bathing (especially in high-risk places, such as public swimming pools and gyms), but excessive sweating of the feet coupled with poor hygiene. Tinea pedis initially affects the sole of the foot and the area between the toes, but can also spread to other parts of the body if not diagnosed and treated properly.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Recognizing the Common Symptoms
Step 1. Look closely at the skin between the ring finger and little finger
This is the area that is most easily affected by the infection for three main factors: it is the one that is neglected the most when you dry your feet; the narrow space between the fingers does not allow moisture or sweat to evaporate; it is the area most susceptible to abrasions from shoes that don't fit well. If you feel itchy in this area and notice redness, it could be a fungal infection.
- Among the first symptoms and signs of athlete's foot you can find: an itchy rash with the presence of scales that sometimes causes a stinging or burning pain.
- As the infection progresses, the skin between the toes can become inflamed and cracked - a process called maceration.
- Athlete's foot is contagious and spreads easily through contaminated floors, towels, socks, or flip flops.
Step 2. Check if the skin on the sole or sides of the foot is dry or flaky
When it gets worse, the infection spreads to the sole of the foot and the skin begins to become dry and flaky. At that point it becomes rough to the touch, possibly itchy and irritated. At the beginning the infected area is small, but it gradually widens taking on irregular edges.
- There are three different types of tinea pedis: the "moccasin" type (which affects the soles of the feet), the "interdigital" type (which infects the space between the toes) and the "inflammatory-bullous" type (which causes blisters)..
- US Forces soldiers serving in countries with tropical humid climates sometimes refer to this infection as "jungle rot".
Step 3. Pay attention to the presence of itching and burning pain
Foot pain, especially some achiness and cramps, is quite common and is usually a normal consequence of excessive wearing of shoes that don't fit properly; but if you experience burning pain accompanied by constant itching, you may have athlete's foot. Fungal infection causes itching and burning because the fungus burrows into the tissues of the foot and feeds on the surface layer of the skin. As a result, the nerve endings become irritated, triggering an itchy and burning sensation.
- Itching is often more intense immediately after taking off shoes and socks.
- Athlete's foot is caused by the same type of fungus that leads to ringworm and tinea cruris.
Step 4. Recognize the difference between the different types of blisters
It is quite normal for a blister to form on the feet after walking or running too much, especially if the shoes are not the perfect size, but the blisters or blisters due to the fungus are different; they tend to ooze pus and other secretions and form scabs. Blisters usually form in areas of thickened skin, increasing the risk of bacterial infection.
- Once the fluid has drained from the bubble, a red, scaly lesion forms with a light-looking central area; this is the classic sign of ringworm.
- If you are a man, often wear damp socks or shoes that are too tight, walk in public areas barefoot, and / or have a weakened immune system, you are a high risk individual for this infection.
Step 5. Pay attention to the toenails
Tinea pedis fungus often spreads to the toenails, which begin to discolor, thicken, and even become brittle. When the infection is chronic (in an advanced stage), the nails weaken and may even fall out; this is a disease known as onycholysis.
- It is difficult to eradicate the fungus from the nail bed because it penetrates deep into the tissue.
- Burning foot pain and nail changes are also typical of diabetes, so make sure your blood sugar level is within normal range.
Part 2 of 3: Confirm the Diagnosis
Step 1. Get examined by a dermatologist, the specialist who deals with skin problems
There is no point in trying to guess the disease affecting your feet, so make an appointment with a specialist, describe your symptoms and doubts. Sometimes you may be able to recognize the infection simply by looking at your feet. However, to confirm the diagnosis (and rule out other possible pathologies), he will need to take a skin sample, add a few drops of a potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution and observe it under a microscope. The KOH dissolves the skin, but it does not affect the fungus that develops, so it is possible to see it, if it is present.
- Alternatively, the dermatologist can observe the feet under a black light (or Wood's lamp) that clearly shows the presence of the fungus.
- Your doctor may also have you do a Gram stain to see if there is an underlying bacterial infection present.
- They may also order a blood test to rule out the possibility of diabetes and other types of infections (bacterial or viral).
Step 2. Take the test results to the dermatologist
He is certainly much more experienced than the general practitioner in dealing with skin disorders, such as infections, rashes or other diseases. You will also be able to perform a biopsy and prepare a KOH solution to be analyzed under a microscope at your clinic, so the report will be available immediately rather than having to wait hours or even days.
- If no traces of fungus are found, the dermatologist may consider other possible skin problems that cause similar symptoms, such as psoriasis, contact dermatitis, eczema, bacterial infections, gout and venous insufficiency.
- Psoriasis can be distinguished by its characteristic silvery white crusts, which usually form in the folds of the joints.
Step 3. Go to a podiatrist
He is the foot specialist, he will be able to confirm the diagnosis of tinea pedis and prescribe the right treatment. He will also be able to indicate the most suitable footwear and socks to wear to prevent any recurrence.
- Shoes made from non-breathable material, such as vinyl, rubber, or plastic, don't offer enough ventilation, so your feet tend to stay quite warm and moist, providing a great opportunity for fungi to grow and proliferate without difficulty. You should prefer footwear with leather insoles.
- Wear cotton socks to absorb moisture; avoid those made of nylon or other synthetic materials.
- Try to change your socks every day, wash them in hot water and baking soda to kill any type of fungus.
Part 3 of 3: Curing Athlete's Foot
Step 1. Use non-prescription antifungal preparations
They can be powders, creams, or ointments that help get rid of the infection; the most common ones contain miconazole, clotrimazole, terbinafine or tolnaftate. Apply the medications for another couple of weeks after the infection has cleared to prevent recurrence, as the spores of the fungi may remain dormant for a while on the skin.
- Use the powder to disinfect your shoes and keep the foot cream or ointment instead, applying it early in the morning and before bed.
- The fungicidal and fungistatic chemicals that are used for athlete's foot often fail to kill the fungi that have entered deep into the skin tissue; This explains why they are not always effective.
Step 2. Try home remedies
Instead of buying specific creams at the pharmacy, take white vinegar (acetic acid) from the pantry. If you dilute it with three parts of water it is potent enough to inhibit fungal growth. Soak your feet in this solution for 10-15 minutes, twice a day, until the itchy and dry skin subsides.
- Alternatively, soak your feet in an aluminum acetate powder solution (also called Burow's or Domeboro's solution), which is just as effective.
- Bleach can kill fungi and most other pathogens, but may temporarily irritate both the skin and nerve endings. Also remember not to inhale the fumes directly, as they could cause dizziness, headache or confusion.
- Consider a solution of aluminum salts, such as 10% aluminum chloride or aluminum acetate. These have an antiperspirant function because they block the functionality of the sweat glands. Typically the correct proportions are 1 part of solution with 20 parts of water (unless your doctor has advised you otherwise). The mixture should be applied to the feet overnight.
Step 3. Ask your doctor to prescribe strong antifungal medications
When the infection is severe or resistant to treatment, oral medicines (tablets) such as terbinafine, itraconazole or fluconazole may be needed. These strong active ingredients are reserved for patients who do not derive any benefit from topical powders, creams, sprays or ointments. The tablets should be taken for about a month.
- Blood tests may be needed before taking the drugs to make sure the liver can tolerate them.
- Oral drug treatment for nail fungus may be more aggressive and take longer (three to four months).
- 50mg fluconazole, taken once daily for 4-6 days, should be enough to eradicate most fungal infections.
- A viable alternative is itraconazole taken at a dosage of 100 mg once daily for 15 days.
Advice
- Fungal infections occur mostly on the feet because these parts of the body are kept warm and moist by shoes, making them an ideal environment for these pathogens to develop.
- Put an antifungal powder or spray in your shoes at least once a week to reduce the chances of relapse.
- Don't walk barefoot. Wear sandals or flip flops when walking in public areas such as swimming pools and gyms.
- To prevent the infection from infecting your hands and other parts of your body as well, apply the creams and ointments using cotton swabs or something similar.
Warnings
- Athlete's foot is a contagious disease. Do not touch other people with infected skin areas.
- If your foot is swollen, hot to the touch, and you notice red streaks accompanied by fever, then go to the doctor or emergency room immediately, as there is a good chance that a bacterial infection is going on.
