Athlete’s Foot is a common fungal infection that affects the skin on the feet, especially between the toes. It’s caused by fungi called dermatophytes and thrives in warm, moist environments, like sweaty socks and shoes.
🧫 Cause:
- Caused by fungus, often Trichophyton species.
- Spreads easily in places like:
- Locker rooms
- Public showers
- Swimming pools
- Sharing towels, shoes, or socks
⚠️ Symptoms:
- Itching, stinging, or burning between the toes
- Red, scaly, or cracked skin
- Peeling or blistering
- Dry, flaky skin on the soles or sides of the feet
- Sometimes it causes a foul odor
👣 Types of Athlete’s Foot:
- Toe web infection – occurs between the toes
- Moccasin type – affects the sole and sides of the foot, often with dry scaling
- Vesicular type – causes blisters, usually on the sole
💊 Treatment:
🏠 Over-the-Counter:
- Antifungal creams, powders, or sprays, such as:
- Clotrimazole
- Miconazole
- Terbinafine (Lamisil)
- Tolnaftate (Tinactin)
🩺 Prescription (for stubborn cases):
- Stronger topical antifungals
- Oral antifungal medication
🛡️ Prevention Tips:
- Keep feet clean and dry, especially between toes
- Change socks daily
- Wear breathable shoes
- Use antifungal powder in shoes
- Don’t walk barefoot in public showers or locker rooms
- Avoid sharing personal items
❗ Important:
If untreated, it can spread to:
- Other parts of the body (like hands, groin)
- Other people
- Toenails (causing fungal nail infection)