Athlete's Foot - A Fungal Infection

Most people have heard of athlete's foot, if not actually had it at some time or another. Did you know that it is actually a skin infection, fungal infection to be more exact? Athlete's foot can easily spread from one person to another, especially in public places such as locker rooms, health and fitness centers and community showers.

Athlete's foot appears in the spaces between your toes, and can easily spread to your toenails, the soles of your foot and even on the sides of your feet.

There are many over-the-counter medications that work well to get rid of athlete's foot. If you have a case of athlete's foot that does not respond to these over-the-counter medications or refuses to go away, then you will need to make a doctor's appointment and receive a prescription.

There are many names for athlete's foot that you may have heard use to describe the infection. Names such as tinea pedis, ringworm of the foot and also dermatophytosis.

There are other "tinea" infections that are named for infections in other body parts they are: tinea corporis - ringworm of the body, and jock itch which is tinea cruris, and ringworm of the scalp which is called tinea capitis.

What to look for:

The signs and symptoms of the skin infection - athlete's foot include: itching, burning or stinging in between the toes. You may also have itchy, burning or stinging on the soles of your feet or the sides of your feet.

You may have itchy blisters, or cracked and peeling skin, especially found in between your toes or on the sole of your foot.

Your feet may be excessively dry.

Your toenails may be thick, ragged, discolored (usually yellow) and may even be pulling away from the nail bed.

Cause:
The cause of athlete's foot is actually a mold-like fungi called a dermatophytes. Dermatophytes are actually organisms that have tendril-like extensions that infect the superficial layer of the skin at the site of the infection.

Risk Factors:

Those who are at greatest risk for developing athlete's foot are those who's feet remain damp, are forced into close environments for long periods of time, or are crammed into tight, uncomfortable places.

Floor, mats, rugs, bed linens, clothes, shoes, socks and other surfaces can become contaminated with the scaly skin that sloth’s off and can contain the organisms that cause athlete's foot. You can spread the infection through these items.

Household pets can pass along the organisms for athlete's foot and so can other individuals.

Adults usually are the ones to get athlete's foot, but kids can also get it. Men are more likely to develop athlete's foot, because of the contact with sports.

Individual with HIV/AIDS, diabetes and others with weakened immune systems can be at risk for developing athlete's foot.

Seek Medical Advice:

If you have done home remedies and the problem still persists or you notice fever, swelling, draining, or excessive redness you should see medical advice, especially if you are chronically ill as with diabetes.

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