Thursday, 23rd February 2012
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Athlete’s Foot

The Causes of Athlete’s Foot

Tinea Pedis, more commonly known as Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection of the skin on the foot. The most common cases of athlete’s foot are caused by either one of these two types of fungus, the Trichophyton mentagrophytes or the Trichophyton rubrum.

  • Trichophyton mentagrophytes causes the toe web or vesicular infections. Between the two species, this is much easier to treat, although some of its cases are also open to complications.
  • Trichophyton rubrum is responsible for the moccasin type of athlete’s foot and causes chronic infections.

Fungi is able to grow in warm and moist areas. Once you come in contact with the fungus, and it begins growing on your skin, then you get fungal infection. And because the areas between your toes provide the perfect environment for them to grown, this is usually where they thrive and eventually spread.

Athlete’s foot is highly contagious. You can easily get it by touching an affected area of a person who has it. Even when there is no skin to skin contact, because the fungus lives not only on skin but in damp places as well, you are able to contract the disease by coming in contact with surfaces that have the virus like public shower rooms, locker rooms, or even slippers.

While athlete’s foot is contagious, there are some people who are more likely to get it,  or more susceptible to the infection than others. As you age, you get more susceptible. Also, if you have already had athlete’s foot in the past, you are more likely to get it again.

Types of Athlete’s Foot and its Symptoms

Because athlete’s foot is a fungal infection, it is characterized by common fungal infection symptoms which are:

  1. Itching
  2. Burning and
  3. Skin peeling.
  4. Extreme cases may involve cracking
  5. Pain and bleeding.
  6. On some rare occasions, there are those who have no symptoms and do not know that they have an infection.

Athlete’s foot may appear red, dry and peeling on the areas on infection. You may find that the dry flakes spread even to the sides and top of the feet, however, the most common rashes are found only on the soles of the feet.

Types of Athlete’s Foot

There are three common types of Athlete’s foot.

  • Moccasin type

The moccasin type is usually found on the soles of the feet. The onset of the infection is characterized by irritation, dryness, itching, scaly skin and burning. It will progress to thickened, scaling and peeling of the soles or heel of the feet. The most severe cases may lead to the toenails becoming infected causing it to thicken, crumble and at worst cases fall out.

This type of infection may also appear on the hands, and is chronic, or a long lasting infection.

  • Interdigital

The Interdigital type, sometimes called Toe web infection is athlete’s foot that is between the toes. The infection begins with soft, moist and pale white skin between the toes. There is an itching and slight burning felt as well as a slight odor from the area.

If it gets worse, a bacterial infection may have occurred which breaks down the skin and cause a foul odor.

  • Inflammatory

Inflammatory or the blistering type is the least common among the three types of infection. It would usually begin quite differently compared to the others, with a sudden outbreak of large and fluid filled areas under the skin. They may develop on the hell, sole, toes or on top of the foot, but most commonly on the instep of the feet.

It occasionally occurs again after the first infection on the same area, but may also move to other parts of the body. Between eruptions, they cause scaly skin, and the fungal infection itself may be accompanied by viral infection.

Five Easy Ways to Prevent Athlete’s Foot

Athlete’s foot is a condition that starts really small. It does not automatically cover your foot and really starts on a small surface, and then gradually spreads on your feet or other parts of your body. Therefore, when it comes to athlete’s foot, there are some easy things that you can do to prevent your infection from spreading or worsening, that may also cure your condition.

  1. Pamper your feet. Athlete’s foot does not have just a single symptom. It is accompanied by many others like cracked skin, blisters, and a burning sensation. If you are suffering from these symptoms, or even the acute stage of athlete’s foot, then it is best that you pamper it the best that you can. You should keep it uncovered to prevent any moisture from worsening it. It should also be at constant rest to avoid rubbing it to any surface. If you have to take a break from work or household chores, then be it. While it is not life endangering, it can lead to bacterial infection and other worse cases.
  2. Relieve sores. You will be able to sooth the inflammation caused by your athlete’s foot. It will ease the pain and itching. It will also dry the sores on your feet. A home solution could be one pack of over the counter Domeboro powder or two tablespoons of Burow’s solution. Add them to one pint of cold water. Use a white cotton cloth and soak unto the liquid. Apply it on your sores three to four times a day, for 15-20 minutes.
  3. Saline solution. A saline solution helps provide an atmosphere that is unsuitable for fungus growth, and it also lessens perspiration. As a bonus, it softens the affected skin, avoiding the cracks that lead to wounds. This allows anti fungal medications to penetrate and seep in deeper in the skin and act more effectively. All you have to do is soak your foot in a mixture of 2 teaspoons salt for every pint of warm water for 5-10 minutes a time. Repeat the process until your problem clears.
  4. Don’t disregard the toes. Even when the area is not infected, the space between your toes provides the ideal environment for fungi. Therefore, you should always keep it dry. You could try using an aluminum chloride solution in water and swab it around the area to keep it dry. However, you should not use the solution for areas that are cracked or raw. It will sting the area. Make sure the space is healed before you use this fungal agent.

Natural Cures For Athlete’s Foot

Athlete’s foot is caused by a fungus that thrives in enclosed, warm and moist environments. This makes your feet the ideal ecosystem for bacteria. Athletes are more prone to this because of the sweat collected in these areas during their workouts. However, anybody can be prone to the fungi.

Athlete’s foot is a terribly embarrassing and frustrating condition. It causes scaling, flaking, and itching of the affected skin. Blisters and cracked skin may also occur, leading to exposed raw tissue, pain, swelling, and inflammation. Secondary bacterial infection can accompany the fungal infection, sometimes requiring a course of oral antibiotics.

Treatments should be begin once you notice any signs of athlete’s foot. Before your condition worsens you can try these natural treatments designed for treating Athlete’s foot, preventing them from spreading or further complications.

  1. Athlete’s Foot No More – by Forces of Nature and formulated by Dr. Peter Klapper is a certified 100% organic topical treatment that works to kill the Tinea fungus while helping to heal damaged skin..
  2. Tea Tree Oil- One of the most popular treatment for athlete’s foot is tea tree oil. Tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic, and is rich with antifungal properties. It also provides a soothing affect, allowing relief from the itch caused by athlete’s foot.
  3. Vinegar – Vinegar works in getting rid of athlete’s foot because it kills fungus and also soothes itching. The benefits? It’s inexpensive, there are no harsh chemicals, and, it’s all natural.
  4. Baking Soda – Fungus thrives in acidic environments, and this equates to sweaty feet. Baking soda acts like your regular foot powder, only less expensive. You can just sprinkle it into your shoes and it prevents your feet from having, or spreading athlete’s foot.

Source:

^ “Athlete’s foot”. Mayo Clinic Health Center. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/athletes-foot/DS00317.

a b c Al Hasan M, Fitzgerald SM, Saoudian M, Krishnaswamy G (2004). “Dermatology for the practicing allergist: Tinea pedis and its complications”. Clinical and Molecular Allergy 2 (1): 5. doi:10.1186/1476-7961-2-5. PMID 15050029. http://www.clinicalmolecularallergy.com/content/2/1/5.