Athlete's foot disease, also known as tinea pedis, is caused by a fungal infection, especially in athletes or people who frequently bathe barefoot. Direct exposure to mold or mildew during bathing (especially in high-risk areas such as swimming pools or gyms) is the cause of most cases of athlete's foot. However, sweaty and dirty feet are also a risk factor. Athlete's foot initially only attacks between the toes on the soles of the feet, but can spread to other parts of the body if not detected and treated properly.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Recognizing Common Symptoms
Step 1. Pay attention to between your middle finger, ring finger, and little toe
This area is the most susceptible to fungal infections due to 3 main factors: often forget to dry, can't wick sweat or moisture well, and are most prone to friction with shoes that are too tight. If the foot feels itchy and looks red, you may have a yeast infection.
- The main signs and symptoms of athlete's foot include: a skin rash that thickens and itches, and sometimes feels stinging or burning.
- In more severe cases, inflammation and peeling of the skin between the toes, known as maceration, can occur.
- Athlete's foot disease can be spread easily through contaminated floors, towels, socks, or sandals.
Step 2. Watch for dry, cracked skin on the bottom and sides of the soles of your feet
If it gets worse, the fungal attack will spread to the soles of the feet and cause the skin to look dry and cracked. The skin on your feet will feel rough to the touch, itchy, and irritated. The surface area of the damaged skin is initially small, but will enlarge with an irregular-looking edge.
- There are 3 main types of tinea pedis, namely: moccasins (on the soles of the feet), interdigitalis (between the fingers), and vesiculobullous lesions (which are accompanied by the formation of vesicles/bubbles on the skin).
- Athlete's foot is sometimes referred to as jungle rot by soldiers stationed in the tropics.
Step 3. Watch for itching and stinging pain
Pain and cramps in the feet are the result of using shoes that are too narrow. However, stinging pain accompanied by intense itching may indicate athlete's foot. The fungus causes a burning and stinging sensation because it penetrates the tissues of the feet and takes nutrients from the overlying tissues. As a result, the nerve endings will be irritated, and there will be itching and stinging pain.
- Itching is generally most pronounced right after you take off your shoes and socks.
- Athlete's foot is caused by the same fungus that causes ringworm and jock itch.
Step 4. Distinguish the bubbles on the skin of the feet
Bubbles in the skin of the feet can result from walking or running too far, especially if your shoes are too tight. However, the bubbles from athlete's foot are different, in that they often ooze pus and other fluids, and harden. Bubbles usually form in the thickened layer of skin, increasing the risk of bacterial infection.
- When a bubble due to a fungal infection bursts, a reddish lesion with thick edges and a clear center will form. This is how ringworm usually looks on the surface of the skin.
- Men, people who often wear damp socks or shoes that are too tight, and those who frequently walk barefoot in public and/or have weak immune systems are more at risk for athlete's foot.
Step 5. Watch for changes in the toenails
The fungus that causes athlete's foot often spreads and infects the toenails. Infected toenails will become discolored, thickened, and even brittle. In advanced (chronic) infection, fingernails can even fall off because they are brittle. This condition is known as onycholysis.
- Fungus that grows on the nail bed is very difficult to treat, because it grows deep in the tissue.
- Stinging pain in the soles of the feet and toes is also common in diabetics. So, make sure your blood sugar levels are normal.
Part 2 of 3: Affirming Athlete's Foot Disease
Step 1. Visit your family doctor
There's no point in guessing about foot problems. So schedule an appointment with your doctor and let them know your symptoms and suspicions. In some cases, your doctor may be able to diagnose a yeast infection just by looking at the condition of your feet. However, to confirm the diagnosis (and rule out other possible illnesses), the doctor may take a skin sample, pour a few drops of potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution, and then examine it under a microscope. The KOH solution will dissolve the skin, but the fungus growing there will remain intact, making it easier to examine.
- Another method is an examination under a Wood's lamp, which will show a fungal infection of the foot.
- The doctor may also perform a Gram stain on the sample to confirm the presence or absence of a concomitant bacterial infection.
- The doctor may also take a sample of your blood to rule out diabetes and other infections (both bacterial and viral).
Step 2. Ask for a referral to a specialist
Dermatologists are experts in dealing with skin problems. Dermatologists are likely to be more experienced in treating skin problems such as infections, rashes, and other conditions than family doctors. The dermatologist may even be able to perform biopsy and microscopic examination with KOH solution directly in his clinic. So, the results can be seen in a few minutes, and you don't have to wait for hours or even days.
- If there are no signs of fungal growth, the dermatologist will consider other skin conditions that can cause the same effect, such as psoriasis, contact dermatitis, eczema, bacterial infections, and chronic venous insufficiency.
- Psoriasis can be recognized by the silvery white layer of skin that is usually found in the joint folds.
Step 3. Visit a podiatrist
A foot specialist can confirm the diagnosis of athlete's foot as well as provide treatment. Foot specialists are also able to provide information on the types of shoes and socks that should be worn to prevent the yeast infection from recurring.
- Waterproof shoe materials such as vinyl, plastic, and rubber do not allow air to flow smoothly, so the feet are constantly warm and damp. This condition triggers the growth of fungi. So, replace your shoes with leather shoes.
- Use cotton socks that can absorb water from the feet. Try to avoid socks made of nylon and other synthetic materials.
- Try to change socks every day. Wash the socks with hot water and baking soda to kill any mold that is there.
Part 3 of 3: Coping With Athlete's Foot Disease
Step 1. Use an over-the-counter antifungal medication
Powders, creams, and/or antifungal ointments can help you treat athlete's foot. Topical drugs that are effective in treating tinea pedis include azoles, allylamine, ciclopirox, tolnaftate, and amorolphine. Fungal spores may be buried deep in the layers of the skin, so use the medication for several weeks after the infection has cleared to prevent it from recurring.
- Sprinkle some powder to get rid of fungus from shoes, and apply cream/ointment to the soles of your feet every morning and before bed.
- The fungicidal or fungistatic compounds used to treat athlete's foot are often unable to kill fungi buried deep within the layers of the skin, and as a result are sometimes not effective enough.
Step 2. Try using home remedies
Instead of buying the cream at the pharmacy, open your kitchen cupboard for white vinegar (acetic acid). Diluted vinegar (diluted with 75% water) is strong enough to inhibit mold growth. Soak your feet in diluted vinegar for 10-15 minutes, 2 times a day until the itching and dryness subsides.
- Alternatively, soaking your feet in an aluminum acetate solution (Burow's or Domeboro's solution) is also quite effective.
- Bleach liquids such as Bayclin are also effective at killing mold and most other pathogens. However, this solution may cause temporary irritation to the skin and nerve endings. Also, try not to inhale the aroma as it can cause headaches, dizziness, or confusion.
- Consider using an aluminum salt solution, such as aluminum chloride or aluminum acetate. Aluminum salts are antiperspirants that clog sweat glands. The ratio that is generally used is 1 part solution to 20 parts water (unless the doctor recommends otherwise). Apply this solution to the soles of the feet every night.
Step 3. Ask for a prescription antifungal medication
In more severe or resistant cases, athlete's foot may need to be treated with oral antifungals (tablets) such as terbinafine (Lamisil), itraconazole (Sporanox) or fluconazole (Diflucan). The more potent oral antifungals should only be used by patients who do not improve after using powders, creams, sprays, or ointments. The antifungal tablets may have to be used for about 1 month.
- Blood tests may be needed to make sure your liver can tolerate the drug before using it.
- The use of oral medications in the treatment of toenail fungus may be intensive and longer (3-4 months).
- Fluconazole 50 mg once daily for 4-6 weeks is sufficient to treat most fungal infections.
- Itraconazole 100 mg once daily for 15 days may be a better option.
Tips
- Fungus generally attacks the soles of the feet, because shoes create damp, dark, and warm conditions that support fungal growth.
- Sprinkle powder or antifungal spray onto the soles of your shoes at least once a week to reduce the chance of the infection coming back.
- Avoid walking barefoot. Use sandals or flip-flops when walking in public places such as swimming pools and gyms.
- To prevent the infection from spreading to the palms of the hands and other parts of the body, apply a cream or ointment to the soles of the feet using a cotton swab or other device.
Warning
- Athlete's foot is highly contagious. Do not touch the surface of the infected skin to another person.
- See a doctor if your feet are swollen and warm to the touch and red streaks, as you may be infected with bacteria (especially if you also have a fever).
