Athletes foot or tinea pedis

Common foot problems:

Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection — also called tinea pedis. It is contagious via direct contact, wet floors and shared footwear.

Plantar warts (verrucae) are flat warts in the sole of the foot. They are forced under the skin and may occur in clusters. The surface is greyish and crumbly, and they may contain small black points that are swollen blood vessels. Plantar warts are also contagious via wet floors. Like other warts, they will disappear on their own, but this may take up to 2 years.

Corns are areas of hard skin that build up on parts of the foot that are subject to pressure or friction, such as on the little toe.

Smelly feet are usually caused by excessive perspiration and an over-growth of fungi and/

or bacteria.

Infected toenails are commonly the result of a fungal infection, a condition known as onychomycosis. Toenails affected by onychomycosis are often brittle, discoloured or yellow.

What is athlete's foot?

Athlete's foot is a fungal skin infection that is also known as tinea pedis and is not exclusive to athletes. The fungus that causes this condition - Trichophyton - thrives in areas that are moist and warm; the skin between the toes is a particularly susceptible area. If not treated, it can cause a rash and itching in other parts of the body as well, especially the groin where the infection is sometimes known as 'jock itch' (tinea cruris). Tinea pedis is often recurring, as the fungus can survive under the toenails and reappear when conditions are favourable.

Causes

The fungus that causes athlete's foot can be found on floors and in socks and clothing. Wearing poorly ventilated shoes and sweaty socks causes feet to become a breeding ground for the infection. Although the condition is just an uncomfortable nuisance for most people, its open sores can occasionally become more seriously infected.

Symptoms

Itching, stinging and burning of the feet.

Cracked, scaling and peeling skin, particularly between the toes, and sometimes spreading to the soles of the feet. In severe cases bleeding may occur.

Also in severe cases scaling or peeling of the soles can occur.

Blisters.

In advanced stages some of the following symptoms may occur:

White, soggy skin in the toe webs.

Unpleasant odour.

Oozing from the blisters.

Thickening, crumbling and discolouration of the toenails if they also become infected by the fungus.

Pain in the affected areas.

Because the athlete's foot fungus injures the skin, bacteria are also able to attack the skin. This type of bacterial infection causes an inflammation called cellulitis and occurs more often in the elderly, diabetic people, people with chronic leg swelling or those who have had veins removed from their legs (such as for bypass surgery), and people with weakened immune systems.

Treatment

Athlete's foot can heal by itself if you carefully clean and dry your feet before wearing shoes and socks, and change sweaty socks often. This makes the infected areas less suitable for the athlete's foot fungus.

Footwear must be kept thoroughly dry. Thick cotton socks or sandals are recommended if possible. Shoes should be made of leather or breathable material; materials such as vinyl don't breathe and cause the feet to remain moist, allowing the fungus to multiply.

The use of special medicated foot powders to keep the feet dry is recommended.

Antifungal creams, gels, sprays or powders may be used. It is important to continue applying these medicines for the recommended length of time to make sure the fungus is eradicated. For some of these medicines, this may be up to 1-2 weeks after symptoms have disappeared.(Reprint)

 

 

Athletes foot or tinea pedis

Common foot problems: Athletes foot is a fungal infection also called tinea pedis. It is contagious via direct contact, wet floors and shared footwear. Plantar warts (verrucae) are flat warts in the sole of the foot. They are forced under the skin and may occur in clusters. The surface is greyish and crumbly, and they may contain small black points that are swollen blood vessels. Plantar warts are also contagious via wet floors. Like other warts, they will disappear on their own, but this may take up to 2 years. Corns are areas of hard skin that build up on parts of the foot that are subject to pressure or friction, such as on the little toe. Smelly feet are usually caused by excessive perspiration and an over-growth of fungi and/ or bacteria. Infected toenails are commonly the result of a fungal infection, a condition known as onychomycosis. Toenails affected by onychomycosis are often brittle, discoloured or yellow. What is athletes foot? Athletes foot is a fungal skin infection that is also known as tinea pedis and is not exclusive to athletes. The fungus that causes this condition - Trichophyton - thrives in areas that are moist and warm; the skin between the toes is a particularly susceptible area. If not treated, it can cause a rash and itching in other parts of the body as well, especially the groin where the infection is sometimes known as jock itch (tinea cruris). Tinea pedis is often recurring, as the fungus can survive under the toenails and reappear when conditions are favourable. Causes The fungus that causes athletes foot can be found on floors and in socks and clothing. Wearing poorly ventilated shoes and sweaty socks causes feet to become a breeding ground for the infection. Although the condition is just an uncomfortable nuisance for most people, its open sores can occasionally become more seriously infected. Symptoms Itching, stinging and burning of the feet. Cracked, scaling and peeling skin, particularly between the toes, and sometimes spreading to the soles of the feet. In severe cases bleeding may occur. Also in severe cases scaling or peeling of the soles can occur. Blisters. In advanced stages some of the following symptoms may occur: White, soggy skin in the toe webs. Unpleasant odour. Oozing from the blisters. Thickening, crumbling and discolouration of the toenails if they also become infected by the fungus. Pain in the affected areas. Because the athletes foot fungus injures the skin, bacteria are also able to attack the skin. This type of bacterial infection causes an inflammation called cellulitis and occurs more often in the elderly, diabetic people, people with chronic leg swelling or those who have had veins removed from their legs (such as for bypass surgery), and people with weakened immune systems. Treatment Athletes foot can heal by itself if you carefully clean and dry your feet before wearing shoes and socks, and change sweaty socks often. This makes the infected areas less suitable for the athletes foot fungus. Footwear must be kept thoroughly dry. Thick cotton socks or sandals are recommended if possible. Shoes should be made of leather or breathable material; materials such as vinyl dont breathe and cause the feet to remain moist, allowing the fungus to multiply. The use of special medicated foot powders to keep the feet dry is recommended. Antifungal creams, gels, sprays or powders may be used. It is important to continue applying these medicines for the recommended length of time to make sure the fungus is eradicated. For some of these medicines, this may be up to 1-2 weeks after symptoms have disappeared.(Reprint)