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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.

 

How to Care for Your Feet During Sandal Season

Take care of your feet – they take you everywhere you go. Especially with sandal season coming up, here are some precautions you can take to avoid common foot problems.

Corns and calluses develop from repeated friction on the skin. Keeping your toenails trimmed and wearing properly fitting shoes can prevent them from appearing. If you already have some, soak them in warm water and gently file with a pumice stone.

Athlete’s foot is very common and comes from walking barefoot in moist places like a pool deck or locker room. It results in itchy, cracking skin on the soles or in between the toes. Athlete’s foot can be prevented by keeping your feet dry and protected – wear sandals on moist grounds, wear socks that dry quickly, and avoid closed shoes when it’s hot outside.

Blisters seem inevitable, but they don’t have to be. Blisters come from chafing of body parts or clothing on the skin. They can be prevented by preventing the chafing that causes them. Applying petroleum jelly or powder to the chaffing area, wearing moisture-wicking clothing and soft bandages are good precautions. If you develop a blister, leave it alone. Cover it in a loose bandage so it is protected and able to breath. Most blisters heal after about two weeks.

Stay one step ahead of your feet this summer. Call (865)690-9467 to book an appointment with a dermatologist if you have questions about foot care.

I Have a Blister… Now What?

Healthy Feet

So you have a blister. They’re painful whether you pop them or not, so what’s the best plan of attack?

The best way to cure a blister is to leave it alone and try to keep the skin intact. The unbroken skin is your body’s natural barrier that keeps out bacteria, which could cause an infection. Cover the blister with a bandage to prevent it from popping.

If the blister is too painful for you to handle, the next step is to carefully drain it. How do you drain a blister if needed?

  • Wash the blister with soapy warm water.
  • Clean the blister with rubbing alcohol.
  • Sterilize a sharp needle with rubbing alcohol.
  • Puncture the blister with the needle near the blister’s edge.
  • Apply antibiotic ointment.
  • Cut dead skin away with sterilized scissors.
  • Cover the blister with a bandage.

These seven easy steps will help you drain and tame an irritating blister and help you get through the winter blister-free!

If you have any questions about blisters 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.