Athlete’s Foot
What is the best treatment for athlete’s foot? Information about the causes, symptoms, and the best way to cure it.
Symptoms and Causes
Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that primarily affects the skin of the toes and causes itching. It is a highly contagious disease, very common in developed countries.
Athlete’s foot is usually caused by filamentous fungi, although yeasts and molds can also cause it. If not treated properly, bacteria may develop in the affected area. This superinfection increases itching and inflammation, and also produces a strong odor.
Depending on the type of fungal infection, different types of athlete’s foot are identified:
- Tinea pedis: The most common, caused by dermatophytes (filamentous fungi).
- Tinea cruris: Also caused by dermatophytes. It starts in the groin, genital area, and thighs, and spreads to the feet.
- Tinea versicolor: Caused by the Malassezia fungus, it results in brown or whitish spots, along with scaling and itching.
Prevention and early detection, to start treatment as soon as possible, are crucial to avoid complications and prevent the symptoms of tinea pedis from lasting for an extended period.
Symptoms
The most characteristic symptoms of athlete’s foot are:
- Intense and persistent itching.
- Skin peeling.
- Redness.
- Burning sensation.
- Cracks or fissures (when tinea pedis is in an advanced stage).
- Bad odor (if there is a bacterial infection).
Causes
Athlete’s foot can result from various causes, including:
- Lack of hygiene.
- Inadequate care, such as not drying the feet completely.
- Walking barefoot in public places.
- Wearing non-breathable shoes or socks.
- Frequenting places with high humidity (such as saunas or pools).
- Coming into contact with infected objects.
Risk Factors
Not every time the skin comes into contact with fungi does athlete’s foot develop. Contagion occurs when the immune system is weakened, usually due to:
- Diabetes mellitus.
- Excessive sweating of the feet.
- Older age.
- Foot wounds.
Additionally, frequenting damp environments, walking barefoot in public places, and wearing tight, non-breathable shoes increase the likelihood of developing athlete’s foot.
Complications
Athlete’s foot can spread to other parts of the body or lead to a bacterial infection, both of which are more difficult to treat.
Prevention
The best way to prevent athlete’s foot is:
- Wash your feet every day and dry them properly.
- Wear breathable footwear.
- Change socks daily (more often if you sweat).
- Use sandals or flip-flops in humid environments such as pools, locker rooms, or saunas.
What doctor treats athlete’s foot?
Both podiatrists and dermatologists diagnose and treat tinea pedis. Pediatricians and family doctors are also specialists in this condition.
Diagnosis
Athlete’s foot is diagnosed with a visual examination of the affected area. To determine the type of fungus causing the infection, a skin sample may be analyzed.
Treatment
The treatment of athlete’s foot consists of applying topical medications. Antifungal creams typically contain terbinafine and sometimes clotrimazole.
