Dr Nelson Clinic .com

Athlete's Foot

Dr Mark Nelson

Foot & Ankle Specialist

Home
Up

Clinic Home Page
Foot Care Store
Foot Medical Information
 

Visit our 2
Online
Foot Care
Stores:

Original Store
or
New Store

 

 

SCUBA DIVERS: Visit the
World Diving Association

 

 


 

 

Athlete's Foot - Foot Fungus

 

Athlete's Foot

Athlete's foot is a skin disease caused by a fungus, usually occurring between the toes.

The fungus most commonly attacks the feet because shoes create a warm, dark, and humid environment which encourages fungus growth.

The warmth and dampness of areas around swimming pools, showers, and locker rooms, are also breeding grounds for fungi. Because the infection was common among athletes who used these facilities frequently, the term "athlete's foot" became popular.

Not all fungus conditions are athlete's foot. Other conditions, such as disturbances of the sweat mechanism, reaction to dyes or adhesives in shoes, eczema, and psoriasis, also may mimic athlete's foot.

Symptoms

The signs of athlete's foot, singly or combined, are drying skin, itching scaling, inflammation, and blisters. Blisters often lead to cracking of the skin. When blisters break, small raw areas of tissue are exposed, causing pain and swelling. Itching and burning may increase as the infection spreads.

Athlete's foot may spread to the soles of the feet and to the toenails. It can be spread to other parts of the body, notably the groin and underarms, by those who scratch the infection and then touch themselves elsewhere.

The organisms causing athlete's foot may persist for long periods. Consequently, the infection may be spread by contaminated bed sheets or clothing to other parts of the body.

Prevention

It is not easy to prevent athlete's foot because it is usually contracted in dressing rooms, showers, and swimming pool locker rooms where bare feet come in contact with the fungus. However, you can do much to prevent infection by practicing good foot hygiene. Daily washing of the feet with soap and water; drying carefully, especially between the toes; and changing shoes and hose regularly to decrease moisture, help prevent the fungus from infecting the feet. Also helpful is daily use of a quality foot powder.

Tips

bulletAvoid walking barefoot; use shower shoes.
bulletReduce perspiration by using talcum powder.
bulletWear light and airy shoes.
bulletWear socks that keep your feet dry, and change them frequently if you perspire heavily.

 

Treatment

Fungicidal and fungistatic chemicals, used for athlete's foot treatment, frequently fail to contact the fungi in the horny layers of the skin. Topical or oral antifungal drugs are prescribed with growing frequency.

In mild cases of the infection it is important to keep the feet dry by dusting foot powder in shoes and hose. The feet should be bathed frequently and all areas around the toes dried thoroughly.

Buy antifungal medication online, click here for Tineacide Antifungal.

Consult Your Podiatrist

If an apparent fungus condition does not respond to proper foot hygiene and self care, and there is no improvement within two weeks, consult your podiatrist. The podiatrist will determine if a fungus is the cause of the problem. If it is, a specific treatment plan, including the prescription of antifungal medication, applied topically or taken by mouth, will usually be suggested. Such a treatment appears to provide better resolution of the problem, when the patient observes the course of treatment prescribed by the podiatrist; if it's shortened, failure of the treatment is common.

If the infection is caused by bacteria, antibiotics, such as penicillin, that are effective against a broad spectrum of bacteria may be prescribed.

Printer Friendly Format

 

Athlete's Foot Tips From The APMA
 
bulletAvoid walking barefoot; use shower shoes.
bulletReduce perspiration by using talcum powder.
bulletWear light and airy shoes.
bulletWear socks that keep your feet dry, and change them frequently if you perspire heavily.

Reprinted with permission from the American Podiatric Medical Association

Have Athlete's Foot or Nail Fungus?

Kill the fungus with Tineacide Antifungal Cream
90 Day
, 100% Money Back Guarantee if not satisfied with results! 
Click here for more information on this safe and inexpensive product.

Looking for Foot Care Products? 

Visit our Foot Care Store.  We offer a variety of orthotics (arch supports), anti-fungal medications, corn pads, heel cushions, night splints, infrared therapy, ionic air purifiers and much more. 

 

  [Home] [Up] [Referral Guidelines] [Ankle Sprain Risks] [Diabetic Foot Ulcers] [Diabetic Ulcer Causes] [Diabetic Neuropathy] [Crossover Toe] [Flat Foot Correction] [Simpler Bunion Surgery] [Tailor's Bunion Surgery] [Flip Flop Sandals] [Heel Pain in Athletes] [Sports & Foot Pain] [Achilles Tendon Injury] [Runners' Foot Care] [Golfers' Foot Care] [Court Sports] [Athlete Foot Pain] [Snowboarder Injuries] [Golf Shoe Tips] [Foot FAQ] [Bones of Foot] [Common Foot Problems] [Footcare Tips] [Foot Health & Problems] [Footwear] [Medicare] [Job Foot Health] [Senior Walking Tips] [Self-Assessment Quiz] [Walking] [Aging] [Arthritis] [Arthritis FAQ] [Athlete's Foot] [Bunions] [Children's Feet] [Diabetes FAQ] [Diabetes & Feet] [Diabetic Ulcer] [Flying Jobs] [Hammertoes] [Heel Pain] [Injuries] [Neuromas] [Orthotics] [Surgery Forefoot] [Surgery Rearfoot] [Toenail Fungus] [Toenail Problems] [Warts] [Women's Feet] [Aerobics] [Baseball] [Basketball] [Children & Sports] [Contact Sports] [Cycling] [Fitness] [Golf] [Running] [Tennis] [Walking Exercise] [Winter Sports]

Building Trust in Transactions (tm)

Official PayPal Seal

Google
 
Web DrNelsonClinic.com

Send email to the webmaster with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2002-20010 Arrowhead International, LLC.  All rights reserved.  Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is strictly prohibited.  DrNelsonClinic.com is a trademark and subsidiary of Arrowhead International, LLC.  This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Buffalo Clinic, Monticello Clinic or ASM Clinic.
"Helping Your Feet Feel Great"TM is a trademark of Mark Nelson, DPM and AllCare Foot & Ankle Specialists, LLC.  Site designed by Arrowhead International, LLC.  Read our disclaimer
Last modified: 10/13/10