Athlete’s Foot 101: Causes, Symptoms, and How To Treat It Effectively
What causes athlete’s foot, and what can you do to treat it? This uncomfortable condition is as contagious as it is common, meaning you’ll want to take steps to keep it under control. An experienced podiatrist in Brooklyn, NY, can provide helpful advice regarding treatment and prevention.
Read on to learn more about the signs to be aware of, what to do when you suspect an outbreak, and how you can help prevent it from coming back.
What Exactly Is Athlete’s Foot?
Athlete’s foot, also called tinea pedis, is a fungal infection that affects the skin on the foot and between the toes.
This fungus is the same one that leads to jock itch. It thrives in warm and moist areas of the body and communal tiled spaces like showers and locker rooms, where it can spread quickly. Symptoms include:
- Itchiness
- Stinging or burning sensation
- Dry skin
- Scaly patches
- Red skin
- Cracks in the skin
- Blisters
What Causes Athlete’s Foot? Most Common Reasons for Developing This Condition
Unfortunately, athlete’s foot is an extremely common condition. A study published in BMJ Clinical Evidence indicates that as many as 15% to 25% of people are likely to have it at any given time.
Numerous causes exist, the most common of which is Trichophyton rubrum. This fungus is responsible for 70% of cases, per a study from StatPearls. The other 30% of cases nearly always relate to Trichophyton interdigitale or Epidermophyton floccosum fungi.
Who Is Most Likely To End Up With Athlete’s Foot?
According to St. Louis Children’s Hospital, athlete’s foot appears most commonly in teenage and adult males. It’s very rare among children who haven’t yet reached puberty.
People who regularly work out at athletic facilities with others are at the greatest risk of being exposed to the fungus, as it commonly appears on shower floors and spreads easily through direct contact with the skin.
Those who wear enclosed shoes or have sweaty feet are also at risk of developing tinea pedis, as are those with certain autoimmune conditions.
Do I Need To See a Doctor To Treat an Active Athlete’s Foot Infection?
The best fungal infection treatment is a prescription medication from a podiatrist. This doctor specializes in treating problems with the feet, ankles, and lower legs and can give you a precise diagnosis and treatment plan.
Many people start by treating this condition with an over-the-counter product, which can be effective for delivering immediate relief. However, if you face regular exposure to the fungus, you may need something stronger from a podiatrist.
People who’ve had it in the past are more susceptible to developing it again in the future. Even if an over-the-counter treatment worked before, you may need a prescription treatment for future exposures as they intensify.
Common Prescription Treatments
If you need a prescription treatment, a podiatrist will likely recommend a foot cream. Regularly using this ointment should eliminate the problem and keep it from coming back.
If the condition has been present for a long time without treatment, patients might need oral medication. Antifungal pills deliver a treatment that attacks the fungus after it has penetrated the skin. Some people might need both a prescription ointment and pills to effectively treat a serious condition.
Checking for Other Conditions
Because athlete’s foot looks like other conditions related to dry skin, seeing a podiatrist gives you the most accurate diagnosis. You don’t want to try over-the-counter treatments, only to find out after seeing a podiatrist that you have a completely different condition that might have been treated sooner.
If the tinea pedis goes untreated for a long time, it could spread to your toenails. Dealing with a toenail fungus condition is more difficult than eliminating the fungus and usually requires the help of a podiatrist.
In the most severe cases, it can develop into a bacterial infection on the skin of the foot. This is extremely difficult to treat and requires aggressive intervention from an experienced medical professional.
Call Our Foot Doctor in Brooklyn, NY, for Treatments You Can Trust
Since tinea pedis is common among young adults who participate in sports and other athletic activities, our doctors for sports medicine in Brooklyn, NY, see it in their practice quite regularly. There’s no reason to let the discomfort of this condition leave you feeling miserable, and with our treatment, you can rest assured of making to go away and keeping it under control.
Our doctors accept most insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, and PIP (personal injury protection). Same-day appointments may be available.
When you need the best sports medicine in Brooklyn, NY, contact Metro Healthcare Partners at (718) 874-1204. We offer care for sports injuries and osteoarthritis-related problems, as well as athlete’s foot.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you ever have questions about foot care and the prevention of issues like fungal infections, our foot doctor in Brooklyn, NY, is ready to help.
What Kills the Athlete’s Foot Fungus in a Shower?
Nothing really “kills” the athlete’s foot fungus in a shower. Because it thrives in warm, moist environments, the best preventive measure you can take is to avoid communal showers altogether and to focus on maintaining proper hygiene. A podiatrist can help you establish a healthy foot care routine that works for your lifestyle.
Can You Permanently Eliminate the Risk of Athlete’s Foot?
You cannot permanently eliminate the risk of athlete’s foot. However, people can reduce the risk by following good hygiene principles, as noted above, and by sanitizing their shoes regularly.
Do Other Conditions Have Symptoms Similar to Athlete’s Foot?
Yes, other conditions can have similar symptoms to athlete’s foot, including eczema and psoriasis. All of these conditions may present with itchy, red spots on the affected area.
Is Athlete’s Foot Contagious?
Athlete’s foot remains contagious as long as the skin has the fungus on it. If the infected skin touches another person or a surface that can transmit it, someone else could develop the condition.
