Fungal infections are a particularly nasty experience. Scientists estimate that there are nearly a billion people across the planet that have skin, nail, or hair fungal infections. The vast majority of these infections aren’t particularly serious. However, more than 150 million people have infections that could be potentially fatal.
There is only so much you can do to avoid contracting a fungal infection. Since the microorganisms are impossible to see with the naked eye, you’ll need to rely on your immune system to protect you. Boosting your immune system is essential to avoiding a fungal infection.
Even with a strong and healthy immune system, you’ll still need to be careful. Athlete’s foot is a very common and highly contagious fungal infection. Even though it’s not a serious condition, treating it can be quite a hassle. Here’s everything you need to know to keep it at bay.
What is Athlete's Foot?
Athlete’s foot is known medically as tinea pedis – Latin for “ringworm of the foot.” It most commonly develops between your toes, but it can also affect the bottom, top, sides, and heels of your feet.
Athlete's foot is the most common type of fungal infection and is specifically caused by a fungus called “Trichophyton”. This genus of fungi is responsible for a variety of fungal infections including athlete’s foot, ringworm, and jock itch. It isn’t just limited to your feet. It can also lead to fungal infection in your nails, skin, scalp, and beard.
The conditions have to be just right for you to get infected by Trichophyton. It particularly thrives in warm and moist environments. That’s why locker rooms, swimming pools, and showers are some of the hotspots for contracting athlete's foot.
However, the single greatest incubators for Trichophyton fungus are your socks. Sweating into your socks will trap the moisture in and create a petri dish for fungi. Since these conditions are very common during sporting events, tinea pedis quickly earned the nickname of “athlete’s foot.”
Preventing athlete’s foot can be difficult regardless of your levels of physical activity. It’s estimated that as many as 70 percent of people will contract athlete's foot at some point in their life.
Athlete’s foot isn’t a particularly dangerous fungal infection and can often be treated with over-the-counter medicine. However, you should schedule a visit with a doctor if you contract athlete’s foot and have a weakened immune system or diabetes. It is advisable to schedule a doctor’s appointment.
What are the Symptoms of Athlete's Foot?
Not every case of athlete’s foot is the same, and there can be a wide variety of symptoms. When infected, the skin will typically turn a shade of red, purple, gray, or white. It is also likely to experience a burning, stinging, and itching sensation. In some cases, it can even cause your skin to become scaly, flake, and peel.
Although athlete’s foot is generally used as a blanket term, there are actually four different versions of the fungal infection. Each will come with its own unique circumstances and symptoms.
Chronic interdigital infection
Chronic interdigital fungal infections (also known as toe web infections) are the most common type of athlete’s foot. In most cases, the skin between your fourth and fifth toes is affected. The infection will cause skin irritation and discomfort. In severe cases, the skin may crack, peel, or flake off.
Plantar infection
Plantar fungal infections (also known as moccasin infections) occur on the bottom, sides, or heels of your feet. This infection will typically cause your feet to feel very sore for several days. Afterwards, the affected skin may thicken and start to crack. In severe cases, a moccasin infection can spread to your toenails, causing them to thicken, break apart, and fall out of your nail bed.
Vesiculobullous infection
Vesiculobullous – or vesicular – fungal infections typically affect the bottom of the feet, but can be found anywhere. These types of infections result in fluid filled blisters appearing on the skin. The medical term for these painful bumps is vesicles, which is where this variation gets its name.
Acute ulcerative infection
Acute ulcerative fungal infections are the rarest – and arguably the most severe – type of athlete’s foot. This type of infection leads to the formation of open sores between the skin of your toes or on the bottom of your feet. These sores are medically referred to as ulcers.
How Do You Treat Athlete's Foot?
If you think that you might have athlete’s foot, it’s a good idea to visit a doctor as soon as you can. They will examine your feet, review your symptoms, and run some tests.
Athlete’s foot very rarely goes away on its own, can be very difficult to treat, and can spread to other parts of your body. If left untreated, an athlete’s foot fungal infection can spread to your nails, hands, and groin. A fungal infection in these areas can open up a whole new variety of symptoms.
Here are a few of the best treatment options for athlete’s foot.
Over-the-counter medication
Athlete’s foot is so common that you’ll have a large variety of over the counter antifungal medications. You’ll be able to choose your preference of creams, ointments, sprays, powders, and gels.
The most effective medications will typically include one or more of the following ingredients:
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Butenafine
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Clotrimazole
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Econazole
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Miconazole
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Sulconazole
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Terbinafine
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Tolnaftate
Prescription medication
For more severe cases, a doctor may write you a prescription for stronger medications. These medications are usually the same ingredients as the over-the-counter medications, but in a much higher concentrated dose.
It’s possible that they will recommend taking oral medications in addition to using topical medicine. Fluconazole, griseofulvin, and itraconazole are a few of the more commonly prescribed oral medications.
In cases of inflammation, the doctor might also recommend using a topical steroid medication such as hydrocortisone to reduce inflammation. You might need to take oral antibiotics to fight off bacterial infections if you have a vesiculobullous or acute ulcerative infection.
Home remedies
When something is as common as athlete's foot, there are bound to be a few home remedies that spring up.
We’re partial to tell you that the best treatment will be whatever your doctor recommends, but these home remedies can also be effective:
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Wash your feet often using soap and water
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Soak your feet in saltwater or diluted vinegar
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Rub tea tree oil, peppermint oil, or eucalyptus oil on your feet
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Crush up garlic cloves and rub them on your feet
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Apply talcum powder to your feet before you put on clean socks
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Keep your feet dry and change your socks frequently
How Can You Prevent Athlete’s Foot?
There is no way to completely eliminate the odds of contracting athlete’s foot, however, these are a few things that you can do that will dramatically lower the risks:
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Wear sandals or shower shoes when using community showers, swimming pools, or locker rooms
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Wash your feet every day and completely dry them before putting on your socks.
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Use high water when washing your socks, bedding, or towels
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Apply antifungal powder onto your feet often
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Buy socks that are made of breathable materials
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Change your shoes regularly and only wear pairs that are loose-fitting and well ventilated
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Do not share footwear, socks, or towels with anyone
How RexMD Can Help
Athlete’s foot is a very common fungal infection and it can be very irritating. Keep in mind that this fungal infection is highly contagious. Not only can you pick it up quickly, but you can spread it around to other parts of your body or to other people.
Athlete’s foot isn’t a very serious condition, but you might have to visit a doctor to get rid of it. Naturally, the best treatment will be prevention. Following the tips above and boosting your immune system are a few ways to lower your odds of contracting athlete’s foot.
Being very careful and having a strong immune system won’t completely erase the odds of a fungal infection. However, they will definitely help lower the odds and tip them into your favor.
If you are experiencing athlete’s foot and other fungal infections, the RexMD team is here to help.
