Athlete’s foot is one of the most common types of fungal infection. And because it’s such a common condition, knowing how to treat athlete’s foot is very important.
Medically reviewed by Mia Dacumos, MD · Nephrology · Makati Medical Center
Athlete’s foot is one of the most common types of fungal infection. And because it’s such a common condition, knowing how to treat athlete’s foot is very important.
Athlete’s foot itself might not be life-threatening, but it can cause a lot of discomfort, and even pain if left untreated. Read on to find out what this condition is, and the steps you can take to treat athlete’s foot.
Athlete’s foot, also known as tinea pedis, is a type of fungal infection that affects a person’s feet. In particular, it usually appears in between the toes.
It can be caused by the fungi:
It’s most common among people who have sweaty feet and wear closed shoes for long periods of time.
Athlete’s foot is also related to other conditions such as jock itch or ringworm. And like those conditions, Athlete’s foot is also contagious.
What this means is that if a person with athlete’s foot can spread the fungus if they share towels or share shoes with other people. It can also contaminate the floor if a person with athlete’s foot walks on it with their bare feet.
Learning how to treat athlete’s foot is important because it can also help prevent the fungus from spreading to other people.
The symptoms of athlete’s foot are easy to detect. Here are some symptoms to watch out for:
Athlete’s foot can be a very painful condition, and it can cause nail and other skin infections. It can also spread to other parts of the body if not treated.
Here are some possible ways that people can get infected with athlete’s foot:
If you get infected by athlete’s foot, you need to follow these tips on how to treat athlete’s foot:
The fungi that cause athlete’s foot grows in dark, damp places. In order to stop it from spreading and growing further, it would be a good idea to try and keep your feet dry as much as possible.
This means that if your feet get wet because of sweat, you need to dry them and change your socks. Ideally, you should also wear dry shoes to avoid the inside of your shoes getting damp.
That way, you can help inhibit the growth of fungi on your feet.
Wearing slippers or flip flops helps air out your feet, and stops the growth of bacteria. It’s also a good idea to wear slippers at home instead of being barefoot in order to prevent the fungi from spreading.
When it comes to how to treat athlete’s foot, anti-fungal medicine is a simple and effective treatment method. There are creams and powders available in drugstores that help kill off the fungi in your feet. In some cases, your doctor might prescribe you specific anti-fungal medicine to help treat your condition.
Usually, over-the-counter medicine can treat athlete’s foot without any problem. However, remember, fungal infections usually take a longer time to treat compared to infections that have bacterial causes. Taking these over-the-counter medications should be used under the guidance of a health professional.
Here are some effective ways to prevent athlete’s foot from happening in the first place:
Alternating your shoes helps them air out, and prevents the inside from getting damp. This is especially important if you wear shoes the entire day, or if you tend to have sweaty feet.
Try to avoid shoes that are tight, or made with synthetic materials. These types of materials and build quality don’t allow your feet to breathe, and can trap moisture, which makes your shoes a breeding ground for fungi.
If your feet are particularly sweaty, there are specialized types of foot powders that can help prevent your feet from sweating too much. These help keep your feet dry and are an effective method of how to treat athlete’s foot.
Not only are damp socks uncomfortable, they are also a breeding ground for fungi. If your feet tend to get damp easily, try bringing a change of socks with you.
This helps prevent your feet from getting too damp and inhibits the growth of bacteria and fungi.
There are also some types of socks that have anti-fungal properties. It might be a good idea to use these socks instead to ensure that there won’t be any fungal growth on your feet.
Learn more about Skin Health here.Â
Disclaimer
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
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