Athlete’s Foot

Cause, not drying between the toes, and allowing sweat to breed bacteria.Athlete's Foot left untreated. We recommend you treat with Ginseng Care Serum

 

Athlete’s foot

Athlete’s foot is the term used for a common disorder affecting the skin between the toes, and other areas of the skin.  The cleft between the fourth and fifth toes is the most frequently affected, with moist soft skin that peels off easily. Often the skin splits uncomfortably (a fissure). It may smell unpleasant. It is generally mild; very inflamed athlete’s foot is generally due to secondary bacterial infection.

Athlete’s foot can be due to one factor or a combination of factors.

• Bacterial infection (erythrasma, pseudomonas, Staphylococci and Streptococci).
• Mould infection.
• Soft corn (build-up of thick skin because the toes are pressing against each other).
• Injury(punctures of or scratches on the skin
• Fungal infection (tinea pedis).

Athlete’s foot is more common in those who participate in sports because:

• They sweat heavily.
• They may fail to dry their feet carefully after showering.
• They may be exposed to fungal spores on the surfaces of communal areas.

Athlete’s foot is an infection of the feet caused by fungus. The medical term is tinea pedis. Of the fungal infections known as tinea infections, Athlete’s foot is the most common. These fungi thrive in warm, moist areas.

Your risk for getting athlete’s foot increases if you:

• Wear closed shoes, especially if they are plastic-lined
• Keep your feet wet for prolonged periods of time
• Sweat a lot
• Don’t dry your feet thoroughly

Symptoms 

The most common symptom is cracked, flaking, peeling skin between the toes. The affected area is usually red and itchy. You may feel burning or stinging, and there may be blisters. In addition to the toes, the symptoms can also occur on the heels, palms, and between the fingers.

If the fungus spreads to your nails, they can become discolored, thick, and even crumble.

Athlete’s foot is contagious, and can be passed through direct contact, or contact with items such as shoes, stockings, and shower or pool surfaces.

Causes

The body normally hosts a variety of micro-organisms, including bacteria and fungi. Some of these are useful to the body. Under certain conditions others multiply rapidly and cause infections. Athlete’s foot occurs when a particular type of fungus grows and multiplies in your feet (especially between your toes) this fungus can also grow on hands causing the same symptoms.

Treatment

• Keep your feet clean and dry, especially between your toes.
• Wash your feet thoroughly with soap and water and dry the area very carefully and completely. Try to do this at least twice a day.
• Wear clean, cotton socks and change your socks and shoes as often as necessary to keep your feet dry.

Athlete’s foot almost always responds well to self-care, although it may come back.

Severe, ongoing infections that don’t respond after 2 - 4 weeks of self-care, and frequently recurring athlete’s foot, may require further treatment by your health care provider.

We recommend trying Ginseng Care Serum link

 

Contact your doctor immediately if :

• Your foot is swollen and warm to the touch, especially if there are red streaks. These are signs of a possible bacterial infection. Other signs include pus or other discharge and fever.
• You have diabetes and develop athlete’s foot.
• You are concerned that you have a severe fungal infection.
• If after 2-4 weeks of self care the symptoms still remain

We would like to thank

Habif, TP. Clinical Dermatology. 4th ed. St. Louis: Mosby; 2004.

Long SS, Pickering LK, Prober CG, eds. Principles and Practice of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Elsevier, 2003.

Note: Information provided should not be used to make a diagnosis. Ginseng Creams distributed by C&G Medicare Ltd for the UK and Ireland. C&G Medicare Ltd recommends you always seek medical advice if you have concerns regarding any skin condition.