Athlete’s Foot Fungal Infection
Written by Michelle Champlin BSc Pod., M.Ch.S., S.R., Ch., (UK)
What is Athlete’s Foot?
Tinea pedis or or “Athlete’s Foot” is a fungal skin infection which affects the feet.
Initially it looks like a red spotted rash over various sites of the foot, with peeling and flaking of the skin. However, as the infection progresses painful blisters may appear, sometimes pus filled. Commonly, the toenails can also be affected with a fungal infection too, appearing flaky, brittle and thickened. It’s also common to see the fungal infection on the toenails too at the same time.
How do you get Athlete’s Foot?
The fungal spores that cause Athlete’s Foot flourish and spread in dark damp areas (old sweaty footwear) and on communal damp flooring such as; swimming pool areas, gymnasiums and showering facilities.
The skin is one of our main defence barriers. Dry, cracked, cut or flaking skin essentially weakens the defence barrier allowing easy entry of fungal, bacterial and viral infections.
Preventing Athlete’s Foot
Prevention is always better than cure.
• Dry your feet well after every bath or shower, paying particular attention to drying in between the toes. Fungus flourish in dark damp areas, so keep the toes dry.
• Apply an emollient foot cream once daily, containing 10% urea.
• Hydrated/moisturised feet – strong skin barrier.
• Always wear cotton sweat-wicking hosiery/socks. Avoiding synthetic materials will prevent a build up of sweat. Ideally toe socks, designed to separate and keep the toes dry.
• Alternate your footwear daily. Don’t stick to the one pair of working shoes, alternate between a few pairs throughout the week. Give footwear time to air and dry to prevent dampness within the shoe and thus preventing a perfect fugal breeding ground.
• Never walk barefooted around communal areas as it is in these places that fungus is often found. Use flip flops for showering at the gym/poolside.
A well cared for foot, in a clean environment – A Healthy Foot!
What can be done to treat Athletes Foot?
• Seeking immediate treatment, at the first sign of Athletes foot, will prevent uncomfortable progression and spread of the fungus. See a Podiatrist who can assess and diagnose correctly, carry out first line treatment and advise on home care treatment / prevention thereafter.
• Anti-fungal foot creams, used with antifungal sprays, can be advised by your Podiatrist for daily use post-shower.
• You can also try a foot soak twice daily with Tea Tree Oil (naturally antifungal and antibacterial), adding 20 drops of pure tea tree oil to a small basin of warm water and soaking for 15 minutes. Dry thoroughly afterwards, and be sure to use a moisturising foot cream afterwards as tea tree oil will dry out skin.
• Keep callous at bay (fungus thrives on dead dry skin) by using a gentle foot file 2-3 times a week.
• Throw out your old regular footwear (school/work shoes) as these will contain the fungal spores and keep re-infecting or if you can’t, wash them in the washing machine (if they’re sports shoes that can be washed) or sprinkle thoroughly with a medicated anti-fungal powder and alternate with other shoes every other day.
• Sprinkle inside your socks with the medicated antifungal powder.
• It is advisable to check that you do indeed have a fungal infection such as Tinea Pedis by seeking an appointment with your Podiatrist . We will advise on the best course of treatment after diagnosis. Return to your Podiatrist after 6-8 weeks if you do not see any improvement for take further action. Skin grows in 28 days cycles so it will take some time to see full healing.
• Dubai Podiatry Centre is also a source of a highly specialised medicated treatment gel, applied as a one-off application and left for 24 hours, to eradicate once and for all your fungal infection.
Contact the UAE’s foot and leg experts, Dubai Podiatry Centre for specialist advice/treatment if you are concerned that you might have a fungal skin/nail infection.
For appointment, contact us:
Call: + 971 4 3435390
WhatsApp: + 971 50 355 3024
info@dubaipodiatry.com
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