What Is an Athlete Foot?
One of the fungal infections affecting the foot is known as an athlete’s foot, also called tinea pedis. It commonly happens in people having sweaty feet due to tight-fitting shoes. The prevalence is around 15 percent to 20 percent of people worldwide. It is contagious and seen to spread to the toenails and the hands. The name athlete’s foot is used because it is a common observation in athletes.
What Are the Causes of an Athlete Foot?
It occurs when the tinea fungus starts to grow on the feet. It can happen by:
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Direct contact with an infected person.
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Touching contaminated surfaces (contaminated by the fungus).
Facts About Athlete’s Foot:
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It is also common in HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) patients. Data has shown that around 20 percent to 35 percent of HIV-infected patients have an infection with Tinea. Additionally, palms may also be involved. Though this condition is seen in a patient without HIV, also, HIV-positive patients are more prone to this condition.
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The athlete’s foot is not an emergency or serious condition. Still, the cure is sometimes a little difficult to attain, like in patients suffering from diabetes or a weak immune system.
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The fungi tinea pedis can be found in showers, locker room floors, around swimming pools, etc.
What Are the Risk Factors for an Athlete Foot?
It can happen to anyone, but the behavior affects the risk factors. The following are the factors that can put an individual at risk of getting it:
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Visiting public places in bare feet, like locker rooms, swimming pools, showers, etc.
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Sharing food, socks, or towels with an infected person.
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Use closed-toe, tight shoes.
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Wet feet for a long time.
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Sweaty feet might increase the risk.
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Minor nail or skin injury on the foot.
What Are the Symptoms of an Athlete Foot?
The following constitute symptoms of athlete’s foot:
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Itchiness, stinging sensation, or burning sensation between toes
and soles of feet.
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Itching blisters on the feet.
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Cracks and peeling of the skin of feet are commonly observed between toes and soles.
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Dry or raw skin of feet.
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Toenails become discolored and thick.
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Toenails pulling away from the nail bed.
How Can It Be Diagnosed?
Initially, the diagnosis is made by observing symptoms. Also, the skin test can be used to diagnose the condition and confirm whether it is fungal in nature or not.
The most commonly used method is the potassium hydroxide examination of the skin lesion. In this, a small area of infected skin is scraped off by a physician and placed in potassium hydroxide. The potassium hydroxide causes the destruction of healthy cells, and fungal cells are unaffected. Hence, these cells are easily identified under the microscope.
What Are the Treatment Options?
There are various treatment options available to cure this condition, and the most common over-the-counter (OTC) topical antifungal medications prove to be useful. Some of the commonly used topical antifungal medications include Miconazole, Clotrimazole, Butenafine, Tolnaftate, and Terbinafine. But, it is advisable to use these medications with a physician’s consent.
If OTC does not cure this, the physician prescribes topical or oral antifungal medications. Some of the prescription medications include:
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Clotrimazole and Miconazole: Indicated for topical application.
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Itraconazole, Fluconazole, Terbinafine: Administered orally.
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Topical steroids.
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Other oral antibiotics can be prescribed, too, if bacterial infections develop due to raw skin and blisters.
Home Remedies:
Some home remedies have also proven to be beneficial, though scientific confirmation has yet to be done. The commonly followed home care remedy involves soaking the feet in salt water or diluted vinegar so that the blisters can dry up. Here are a few good remedies for athletes’ feet.
Tea Tree Oil:
Tea tree oil has both antifungal and antibacterial properties. This is the reason why tea tree oil is commonly used to treat many fungal infections. This might include infections from candidiasis and roundworm infections. Mix warm coconut oil with tea tree oil for additional benefits. Apply it to the affected area twice a day for more results.
Hydrogen Peroxide:
Hydrogen peroxide is known to kill the fungus effectively. The home remedy involves directly pouring hydrogen peroxide onto the affected area. It may hurt a little, especially when a person has open wounds. Do this twice every day till the infection subsides.
Neem Oil:
Both neem oil and extracts of neem leaf have antifungal properties. An individual can apply the neem oil or its extract directly to the affected area two times a day by massaging the skin. This is helpful for treating infections that develop under the toenails.
Garlic:
Garlic is the best medicine for many infections. Treating an athlete’s foot topically can be effective. To use garlic topically, crush four to five cloves of garlic, smash it, and rub them on the affected area. Repeat this twice daily.
Rubbing Alcohol:
Rubbing alcohol on the hand to clean cuts can help kill the fungus on the skin’s surface. Soaking the feet in a footbath having 70 percent rubbing alcohol and 30 percent of water shows better results.
Sea Salt Baths:
Sea salt is the best example of antibacterial and antifungal properties. It may actually inhibit the growth and spread of an athlete’s feet. Try dissolving a cup of sea salt into a warm foot bath. Soak the feet for a minimum of 20 minutes. After that, dry the feet thoroughly.
Talcum Powder:
Talcum powder works well to treat athletes’ feet. The affected area is dry and clean to prevent further spreading. Apply talcum powder to the affected area. A person should wash their used socks regularly.
What Are the Complications?
Sometimes, this condition can lead to complications. Some of the mild complications consist of allergic reactions related to the fungus that can ultimately cause blisters on the feet or hands. Recurrence of the condition after treatment has also been noted.
Severe complications may take place if a secondary bacterial infection develops. The symptoms of this condition involve swollen, painful, hot feet. To add on, bacterial infection can also be represented by pus, drainage, and fever.
If this bacterial infection spreads to the lymphatic system, the lymph nodes and the lymphatic system can be affected.
What Are the Preventive Measures?
The following can be done to prevent athlete’s foot:
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Washing of the feet and toes with soap and water, followed by drying daily.
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Washing socks, bedding, towels, and disinfecting shoes.
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An affected individual can use antifungal powder on their feet daily if they are prone to this condition.
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A person should avoid sharing their belongings, like socks, towels, shoes, etc., with others.
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Wear footwear in public places.
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Change socks frequently.
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Use shoes made with breathable materials.
Conclusion:
An athlete’s foot is a common condition that can be cured easily, but sometimes it can also lead to complications if left untreated. In addition, it can also be prevented by taking all the preventive measures. Also, it is crucial to complete the course of treatment suggested by the doctor to prevent the recurrence of this infection.
