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Don’t Let Athlete’s Foot Take You Out of the Game

Athlete’s foot, or tinea pedis, is a common foot infection that affects up to 70%  of the population as some point in time. The fungal condition causes the skin on the foot to itch, sting, burn or even peel. Athlete’s foot is contagious and is contracted by contact with the bacteria. The fungus thrives in warm, moist environments like showers, locker rooms or swimming pools. Although both athletes and non-athletes alike can suffer from athlete’s foot, the infection received its name since athletes frequent the places it’s most often acquired. It’s closely related to other fungal infections like ringworm and jock itch.

Although athlete’s foot is not life-threatening, it is still a fungal infection and can spread to other parts of the body. As kids go back to school and return to sports, or college students return to a communal shower, or you or your family spend time in the late summer heat, it’s important to know the signs and symptoms of athlete’s foot and how to treat it. We’ve broken down everything you need to know about athlete’s foot.

How It’s Acquired

Athlete’s foot is a contagious infection and is contracted by contact with someone or something carrying the bacteria. It’s most commonly caught by walking barefoot in public places like bathrooms or swimming pools. Sharing footwear with someone who has athlete’s foot is another way to contract the infection, or a skin or nail injury can also make people more susceptible.

What It Looks Like

Athlete’s foot may not always have the same appearance. Redness, scaling, dryness and cracks or peeling are all signs that can be present between the toes or the soles of the feet. For some, it produces itching and burning. The symptoms are similar to other conditions like contact dermatitis and psoriasis. Since it can be mistaken for these other conditions, it can be helpful to see a dermatologist.

How to Prevent It

The best way to prevent athlete’s foot is by practicing good hygiene. These tips can also help:

  • Wear shower shoes or sandals when walking around pools, locker rooms or public showers
  • Keep your feet dry and in clean socks and footwear
  • Make sure you dry your feet between the toes
  • Wear footwear made of natural fabrics which aren’t too tight and allow the feet to breath.
  • Spray your footwear with a disinfectant to kill germs
  • If someone in your household has athlete’s foot, do not share any towels, shoes or linens
  • Keep bathroom surfaces like showers and tubs clean

How to Treat It

Most cases of athlete’s foot are treated with over-the-counter remedies that come in the forms of powders, sprays, ointments and lotions. In most cases, the infection responds best to these treatments. One of the best home remedies is tea tree oil, an ingredient used in many over-the-counter treatments. The oil has both antifungal and antibacterial properties. To use, mix the oil with coconut oil and apply to the affected skin two to four times a day. Studies have also shown that ajoene, a chemical found in garlic, has healing and preventative properties.

It’s important to monitor athlete’s foot since if left untreated, or if the condition worsens, it can cause a secondary infection and tissue breakdown. It can become very painful. An allergic reaction can also occur causing blistering. Diagnosing it and treating it early is crucial as once it reaches the toe nails it’s difficult to eliminate.

When to Contact a Dermatologist

If the infection does not improve within a week, make an appointment with a dermatologist. A dermatologist will examine the feet and look at a skin scraping under a microscope to determine if fungus is present. In a matter of minutes, a diagnosis is achieved. If you experience recurring athlete’s foot, it can also be helpful to see a dermatologist. It could be another condition requiring an entirely different treatment. Also, if the athlete’s foot is severe, over-the-count remedies may not be effective and require anti-fungal pills taken by mouth.

To make an appointment with a dermatologist to inspect a worrisome case of athlete’s foot, call Knoxville Dermatology Group today at (865) 690-9467.

 

Stomping Around with Athlete’s Foot

Just because it’s in the name, don’t assume that only athletes get Athlete’s Foot. This fungal infection is common in the summertime because of our tendency to go barefoot around the pool and other places where  we are exposed to all kinds of fungus. We see a good deal of this infection at Knoxville Dermatology Group, and we’re ready to help.

Athlete’s Foot gets its name from the places the fungus typically grows – on the warm, damp surfaces around pools, public showers and locker rooms. People with sweaty feet are at risk. You also put yourself at risk when you walk barefoot where other people walk barefoot.

The skin infection caused by the tinea pedis fungus eats old skin cells, which are in bounty on your feet. But just having the fungus on your feet isn’t enough to cause the Athlete’s Foot infection. The conditions have to be right for fungal growth. The best way to avoid this is to dry your feet completely after swimming, showering or bathing. Also, keep shoes loose and change out your socks daily.

If you already have Athlete’s Foot, treatment is  simple. A dermatologist will recommend a medicinal powder or cream to kill the fungus. Follow the instructions for application and keep your feet dry. It won’t be long before  your feet will be flip-flop ready and fungal-free.

If you have any questions about athlete’s foot or about changes in your skin, please call us today at 865-690-9467. Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Schedule an appointment with one of our board certified physicians to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential.

Carefree Feet

It’s easy to be carefree now that the sun’s out.  But just because sandal weather is around the corner, it doesn’t mean you should be carefree about your feet. You are just as at risk of contracting Athlete’s Foot in the spring and summer as you are in the winter.

This fungal infection eats old skin cells and causes bumps or cracks to forms on your feet, along with redness, scaling and itchiness. There are several ways you can get athlete’s foot – by walking barefoot in a public area, not drying feet properly after swimming, showering or bathing, or wearing the same socks and shoes every day. To maintain proper foot hygiene, dry off your feet thoroughly, don’t wear tight shoes and change out your socks and shoes daily.

Visit one of our dermatologists so they can rule out any other possible allergens that may be causing your irritation.

If you have any questions about athlete’s foot or about changes in your skin, please call us today at 865-690-9467. Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Schedule an appointment with one of our board certified physicians to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential.

Don’t Step on That!

Walking barefoot in public increases your risk for athlete’s foot

We are halfway through summer, so take your family on a mini-vacation to Dollywood Splash Country to unwind and cool off. Enjoy your time lying out by the wave pool (under an umbrella, because you take care of your skin!) and dipping your feet in the water occasionally to cool them off from the scorching pavement. Then go home relaxed and happy… until the next morning when you wake up to red, scaly, itchy feet. You’ve brought home an unwanted souvenir – you’ve contracted athlete’s foot.

Athlete’s foot is a hygiene-related, fungal infection that affects the skin and foot. The different fungi that cause athlete’s foot thrive in warm, damp areas such as pools, public showers and locker rooms. It’s highly contagious and is contracted by coming in contact with either the skin scales or the fungi.

Luckily, it’s easily treatable – one of our doctor’s would prescribe a topical or oral anti-fungal medication. Athlete’s foot is also easily preventable; the Center for Disease Control recommends keeping toenails short and clean, and wearing sandals when using public showers, pools and locker rooms.

So next time you decide to go to Dollywood Splash Country, or even to the neighborhood pool, pack your cutest pair of sandals – for the sake of hygiene, of course.

Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Visit with one of our board certified physicians to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential. Schedule an appointment with Knoxville Dermatology Group today at 865-690-9467.

Athlete’s Foot Facts

Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection of the feet. The fungus which causes athlete’s foot thrives in moist, warm places, such as showers, gyms and around swimming pools. Since these are places that athletes frequent, they are exposed to the fungus more than the general population, hence the name athlete’s foot.

It is very contagious and can be spread by touching the affected area on a person who has the fungus. The symptoms of athlete’s foot vary, but can include any combination of the following: peeling, cracking and scaling of the feet; redness or blisters; and itching and burning.

Some cases of athlete’s foot can become severe. If you experience the previously listed symptoms at extreme measures (i.e. scratching your feet is causing them to bleed), or if you develop a fever, you should see a dermatologist immediately as these can be a sign of a bacterial infection.

Athlete’s foot can be prevented by practicing good hygiene with your feet. This means keeping feet dry and clean whenever possible. It is also advised that your feet be covered or protected when you are in places that are likely to have the fungus. Wearing sandals in communal showers, such as those at gyms, and wearing socks when walking on floors where a lot of people tread barefoot are other ways to keep from getting athlete’s foot in the first place.

Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Visit with one of our board certified physicians to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential. Schedule an appointment with Knoxville Dermatology Group today at 865-690-9467.