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Is the skin between your toes, blistered, cracked, or peeling? Do your toes itch? Do the soles of your feet show signs of redness or scaling? If you said yes to any of these questions, you may have athlete's foot. Athlete's foot is a fungus that thrives in warm, moist, and enclosed environments. The fungus lives in places like snug, poorly ventilated shoes, damp sweaty socks, locker rooms, and gym shower floors.
Athlete's foot is usually a harmless infection. It is often treated successfully with an over-the-counter anti-fungal medicine such as Tinaderm or Daktarin. When not treated, the skin may develop blisters and cracks that can lead to a more serious infection. Athlete's foot should clear up within a week or two after beginning treatment. If it does not, you should seek care from your GP. It is important to use the entire anti-fungal cream if it is prescribed. While your skin may look better with treatment, the infection can remain and could return. Athlete's foot is not very contagious. One family member may have it without infecting others living in the same house. The fungus will not grow on dry, normal skin. If you have diabetes you are prone to fungal infections like athlete's foot (tinea). FOLLOW THESE TIPS TO PREVENT ATHLETE'S FOOT: - keep your feet clean
- dry feet well after bathing
- apply powder between the toes
- go barefoot or wear sandals often
- wear socks that absorb moisture and keep the feet dry
Cotton and wool socks absorb sweat and keep the feet dry. Avoid socks made of synthetic material. Other tips to help keep your feet dry include: - change socks daily or more frequently if they become damp
- choose shoes such as sandals, canvas, or those made with leather uppers to allow your feet to breathe
- let your shoes air out between wearings, or alternate shoes daily
While common in adults, athlete's foot rarely affects children before puberty. The basic rule to follow to avoid athlete's foot is to keep your feet clean and dry, especially in hot weather. Article #4551 Copyright (c) 2002 McKesson. All Rights Reserved. |
