Athlete’s Foot: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Researchers have estimated that 25% of people will have Athlete’s Foot at one point in their lives. The infection can develop in other parts of the body and spread to other people. Due to this reason, it is the most common type of fungal foot infection.
Thankfully, a foot specialist can treat most types of athlete’s foot with specialized topical creams. If the athlete’s foot is severe or in an advanced stage, however, foot specialist may recommend a more thorough treatment. Below, we explore some of these treatments for athlete’s foot.
Before we get into the treatments, let’s first understand the causes and common symptoms of the condition.
Causes of Athlete’s Foot
A fungus (dermatophytes) that infects the skin is, in general, the cause of athlete’s foot. This fungus can enter the skin through cracks or wounds and, from there, begins to infect the foot. A foot specialist or physician can determine the severity of the infection by performing a diagnosis.
Fungal skin infections need moisture and warmth to spread, and shoes are a perfect environment for the fungus to grow. The reason is that we wear shoes for most of the day, which makes our feet warm and moist. A foot specialist or podiatrist can help give practical advice on reducing your foot’s moisture to avoid the athlete’s foot from spreading further.
Symptoms of Athlete’s Foot
There are several different forms of athlete’s foot, such as interdigital infection, moccasin variety, and vesicular infection. Each of these types usually share symptoms, at least to a certain degree. Let’s take a look at the general symptoms:
- Excessive dryness on the foot
- Flaky skin
- Redness on the skin
- Scaly rash
- Inflammation
- Blisters
- Cracking on the foot
Bacterial germs can sometimes occur alongside the condition. This will cause the athlete’s foot to become severe and cause open sores in the skin, making it even more vulnerable to bacteria. That is a significant reason to seek the help of a foot specialist immediately.
Treatments for Athlete’s Foot
Treatment depends greatly on the severity of the infection. However, for most cases, over-the-counter anti-fungal medication will be enough to treat athlete’s foot. The possible medications a foot specialist can suggest can be in the form of tablets, powder, cream, or sprays.
If the infection is more severe, the foot care specialist may recommend taking stronger oral medications like griseofulvin or terbinafine. If the infection doesn’t subside with the anti-fungal drug, the foot specialist may recommend a combination of topical and oral medication.
See a Foot Specialist to Treat Athlete’s Foot
Athlete’s foot can be complicated to cure if not adequately treated. That’s why it’s crucial to consult a podiatrist or foot specialist so they can properly diagnose and treat the infection. Seek immediate help once you see the first symptom of athlete’s foot, as it’s a highly contagious infection.
If you’re looking for an advanced foot specialist in Arizona, contact us today. We offer the best medical practices and the latest innovations to treat a wide variety of foot problems. Our highly trained and experienced physician will deliver a customized treatment that will get you back on your feet.