Athletes foot is a common skin disorder that becomes apparent as a result of fungal infection. Almost all of us get this condition in some point of over lives.

Itching and burning sensation, development of cracks and scaly skin between the toes are prominent symptoms of this condition. Chances of its spread are more in the communal showers and other public places like looker rooms and gyms.

Since damp, shadowy and warm areas are the most common locations for the development of tinea fungus, the condition most commonly affects the gaps between the toes. It can, however, spread to other places like toenails, soles and sides of the feet, causing thickness and crumbliness of the skin.

Athlete's food, which is also known as tinea pedis, dermatophytosis or ringworm of the foot is also closely associated with other fungal skin disorders.

Signs and symptoms of Athletes Foot

There can be numerous signs and symptoms of athlete's foot, but you will not probably have all of them:

The affected portion becomes itchy and starts stinging and burning.

Development of itchy blisters.

The affected skin, particularly that between toes and soles of the feet starts cracking and peeling.

The condition turns the skin dry especially on the bottoms or sides of the feet.

Nails become thicker, crumbly and ragged. The condition also causes discoloration of nails and in some cases it can pull out the nails from the nail bed. These are the main athletes foot symptoms.

Causes

Athlete's food results from infection caused by mold like fungi, known as dermatophytes.

Deratophytes sprout tendril looking extensions, infecting outer layer of the skin. The basal layer then starts reacting to fungal growth by producing more skin cells than usual and pushing these cells to the skin surface. The accumulation of these cells then makes the skin thicker and scaly. The number of scales, produced by the skin depends upon the extent of fungi spread.

Risk factors

The infection usually occurs in damp, close and dark environment such as that in thick and tight shoes. The toes become pinched together under such shoes resulting in the creation of warm and moist crease between them.

Damp socks and shoes also give rise to the chances of athlete's food.

Heavy sweating caused under warm and humid conditions may also increase the risk.

The fungus may spread through contamination of floors, mats, bed linens, clothes and shoes.

Person wearing plastic shoes is most susceptible to the condition because of the creation of environment in such shows for fungal infection.

The condition may also transmit through skin-to-skin contact.

Even household pets may facilitate spread of fungal infections.

Though athlete's foot commonly develops in adults, it may affect even children.

The likelihood of athlete's foot is also more in men than women.

Genetic component may be involved in the vulnerability, but persons with weakened immune systems, diabetics or those suffering from HIV/AIDS are most susceptible to it.

When to seek medical advice

See a doctor if a rash on your foot does not disappear.

Consult your doctor if your condition worsens despite self-care measures to prevent athlete's foot.

Also make an appointment with your doctor in case you observe extreme redness, swelling and drainage in your skin or having fever.

If you are a diabetic and you are suspecting athlete's foot in you, you must see your doctor immediately.

Athletes Foot Treatment

Topical medicine: Antifungal ointment, lotion, powder or spray may be sufficient to treat mild cases. Topical medicine can either be prescribed by your doctor or be available on -over-the-counter. The infections favorably respond to this medication, which comprises topical agents like Terbinafine (Lamisil AT), Clotrimazole (Lotrimin AF) and Miconazole (Micatin).

Oral medication: In case of severe fungal infection that hardly responds to topical medicine, your doctor may prescribe oral medications like Itraconazole (Sporanox), Fluconazole (Diflucan), and Terbinafine (Lamisil). This is one of the useful athletes foot treatment.

The Food and Drug Administration considers association of the oral itraconazole and oral terbinafine with the rare cases of liver failure and death.

Oral itraconazole may lead to weakening of the heart's contractions. Taking this harmful effect into consideration it is advisable for the cardiac patients not to use this medicine.

Your doctor may advise you to take an oral antibiotic if your condition is accompanied by bacterial infection. This is one of the effective athletes foot cure.

Depending upon the severity of the case, wet dressings, steroid ointments, compresses and vinegar soaks may be recommended to help remove skin blisters and sogginess.