What Is Athletes Foot?

Athlete's foot (tinea pedis) is a fungal infection that attacks the skin on the foot, and is caused by one of two types of fungus.

Trichophyton mentagrophytes often causes toe web or vesicular (blisterlike) infections, appears suddenly and is easily treated, generally with over the counter remedies found at a pharmacy or health store.

Trichophyton rubrum is chronic and is difficult to treat and generally requires medical attention and prescription medications.

How Is It Contracted?

Athlete's foot is very contagious and can be contracted by direct contact with the fungus on an infected person or from damp, contaminated surfaces such as the floors in public showers.

It grows in the top layer of human skin, prefers warm, moist areas and may cause infection.

If you come in contact with the fungi that cause athlete's foot, you can spread the fungi to others, whether you get the infection or not, and once you have had athletes foot, you are more likely candidate to have it again.

There are a few risk factors and precautions that may be of interest:

*It appears that men are more susceptible to athletes foot than women, and this may increase with age.

*If you live in a damp, warm climate, have an impaired immune system and allow your feet to remain moist, your odds for athletes foot are increased.

What Are the Symptoms of Athlete's Foot?

• Redness, blisters, or softening and breaking down of the skin
• Itching, burning, or both

Types of Athlete's Foot

• Interdigital: Also called toe web infection, this is the most common kind of athlete's foot. It usually occurs between the two smallest toes. This form of athlete's foot can spread to the sole of the foot.
• Moccasin: A moccasin-type infection of athlete's foot can begin with a minor irritation, dryness, itching, or scaly skin. As it develops, the skin may thicken and crack. This infection can involve the entire sole of the foot and extend onto the sides of the foot.
• Vesicular: This is the least common kind of athlete's foot. The condition usually begins with a sudden outbreak of fluid-filled blisters under the skin.

How Is Athlete's Foot Diagnosed?

Not all itchy, scaly feet are infected with fungus. The best way to diagnose the infection is to have your doctor scrape the skin and examine the scales under a microscope for evidence of fungus.

How you treat athletes foot (tinea pedis) depends on its type and severity. Most cases of athlete's foot can be treated at home using an antifungal medicine to kill the fungus or slow its growth.

• Nonprescription antifugal agents: are generally used first. These include terbinafine (Lamisil AT), miconazole (Micatin), clotrimazole (Lotrimin AF), and tolnaftate (Tinactin). Nonprescription antifungals are applied to the skin (topical medicines).
• Topical prescription antifungals: may be tried if nonprescription medicines unsuccessful or if you have a severe infection. Naftifine (Naftin), butenafine (Mentax), miconazole (Monistat Derm), and clotrimazole (Lotrimin).
  
• Oral prescription antifungals: terbinafine (Lamisil), itraconazole (Sporanox), and fluconazole (Diflucan).

Oral antifungal pills are used only for severe cases and require periodic testing for dangerous side effects. Athlete's foot may return even after antifungal pill treatment.

Your symptoms may decrease or stop shortly after you begin using antifungal medicine, however it is important to complete the full course of medicine. This increases your chance that athlete's foot will not return.

Toe web infections:

*Treat mild to moderate toe web infections by keeping your feet clean and dry and using nonprescription antifungal creams or lotions.

*If a severe infection develops, your doctor may prescribe a combination of topical antifungal creams plus either oral or topical antibiotic medicines.

Moccasin-type athlete's foot infection:

*Often the toenails become infected, onychomycosis.

*A prescription topical antifungal medicine that penetrates the sole, such as ketoconazole, may be used.

*Prescription oral antifungal medicines are sometimes necessary to cure moccasin-type athlete's foot.

Vesicular infections:

*usually appear on the foot instep but can also develop between the toes, on the sole of the foot, on the top of the foot, or on the heel. This type of fungal infection may be accompanied by a bacterial infection.

*Your doctor may remove the tops of the blisters and soak your foot until the blister area is dried out.

*Soaking your foot in nonprescription Burow's solution several times until the blister area is dried out. After the area is dried out, use a topical antifungal cream as directed.

• If you also have a bacterial infection, you will most likely need an oral antibiotic.
• If you have a severe infection, your doctor may prescribe corticosteroid orally.

Herbal and natural remedy:

*Tea tree oil is quite effective in the reduction of athletes foot symptoms.

*Garlic is a natural anti-fungal agent that applied topically has been shown to clear the infection.