Athlete’s Foot

Also indexed as:Fungal Infection (Foot), Tinea Pedis

Need to Know

Athlete’s foot? The toes will tell you. A persistent, burning itch between the toes can send you running for relief. According to research or other evidence, the following self-care steps may be helpful.

• Keep it dry
  To discourage fungal growth, dry feet thoroughly after showering or bathing, use foot powders, and change socks frequently
• Let your feet see the light
  Wear sandals or other open footwear to expose skin to sunlight’s antifungal effects
• Try tea tree oil
  Apply a 10% herbal concentration in a cream base as a natural alternative to antifungal medications
  
  

About this Condition

Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection of the foot that can be caused by a number of different skin fungi.

Generally, athlete’s foot does not cause serious problems; however, the disruption of the skin barrier can be a source of significant infections in people with impaired blood flow to the feet (such as people with diabetes) or in those with impaired immune systems. Infections of the nails are more difficult to treat than those affecting only the skin.

Symptoms

Symptoms of athlete’s foot include a persistent, burning itch that often starts between the toes. The skin on the feet may be damp, soft, red, cracked, or peeling; the feet may also show patches of dead skin. The feet often have a strong or unusual smell, and sometimes small blisters occur on the feet.

Healthy Lifestyle Tips

Keeping the feet dry is very important for preventing and fighting athlete’s foot. After showering or bathing, thorough drying or careful use of a hair dryer is recommended. Light is also an enemy of fungi. People with athlete’s foot should change socks daily to decrease contact with the fungus and should wear sandals occasionally to get sunlight exposure.