Difference between revisions of "Treat Athlete's Foot"
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| − | Athlete's foot is a fungal infection of the top skin layer, causing a rash that can spread easily. Most people will experience at least one athlete’s foot infection during their lifetime.<ref> http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMHT0024878/</ref>. Fungi (plural of fungus) grow best in warm, wet places, such as the area between the toes. A fungal infection can usually be treated at home with over-the-counter topical (applied to the skin) fungal medicines and taking measures to prevent reinfection. After it has been treated, however, athlete's foot can crop up again if the right conditions exist for the fungus to breed and grow. | + | Athlete's foot is a fungal infection of the top skin layer, causing a rash that can spread easily. Most people will experience at least one athlete’s foot infection during their lifetime.<ref name="rf1"> http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMHT0024878/</ref>. Fungi (plural of fungus) grow best in warm, wet places, such as the area between the toes. A fungal infection can usually be treated at home with over-the-counter topical (applied to the skin) fungal medicines and taking measures to prevent reinfection. After it has been treated, however, athlete's foot can crop up again if the right conditions exist for the fungus to breed and grow. |
[[Category:Feet Knees and Legs]] | [[Category:Feet Knees and Legs]] | ||
== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
=== Diagnosing Athlete's Foot=== | === Diagnosing Athlete's Foot=== | ||
| − | #Determine if you are at risk for athlete’s foot. If you come in contact with a contaminated surface and then provide a good environment for fungus to grow, you be at increased risk for developing athlete’s foot. Contaminated surfaces may include swimming pools, locker rooms or showers where you walk barefoot after someone with an athlete’s foot infection. Certain behaviors can also predispose you to developing a fungal infection on your feet or toes, such as:<ref>http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001878/</ref> | + | #Determine if you are at risk for athlete’s foot. If you come in contact with a contaminated surface and then provide a good environment for fungus to grow, you be at increased risk for developing athlete’s foot. Contaminated surfaces may include swimming pools, locker rooms or showers where you walk barefoot after someone with an athlete’s foot infection. Certain behaviors can also predispose you to developing a fungal infection on your feet or toes, such as:<ref name="rf2">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001878/</ref> |
#*Wearing tight shoes with limited air flow. | #*Wearing tight shoes with limited air flow. | ||
#*Wearing shoes with plastic liners. | #*Wearing shoes with plastic liners. | ||
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#*Having sweaty feet often. | #*Having sweaty feet often. | ||
#*Developing a nail or skin injury. | #*Developing a nail or skin injury. | ||
| − | #Know the symptoms of athlete’s foot. Most of these symptoms revolve around the skin irritation that the fungus causes. There are three kinds of athlete’s foot that may have slightly different symptoms to look out for. Symptoms can be mild, moderate or even severe. Some symptoms, such as itching, can become worse as soon as you remove socks and shoes.<ref>http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/athletes-foot/basics/symptoms/con-20014892</ref> Symptoms of athlete's foot can include:<ref>http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/tc/athletes-foot-topic-overview</ref> | + | #Know the symptoms of athlete’s foot. Most of these symptoms revolve around the skin irritation that the fungus causes. There are three kinds of athlete’s foot that may have slightly different symptoms to look out for. Symptoms can be mild, moderate or even severe. Some symptoms, such as itching, can become worse as soon as you remove socks and shoes.<ref name="rf3">http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/athletes-foot/basics/symptoms/con-20014892</ref> Symptoms of athlete's foot can include:<ref name="rf4">http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/tc/athletes-foot-topic-overview</ref> |
#*Itching and burning. | #*Itching and burning. | ||
#*Peeling or flaking skin. | #*Peeling or flaking skin. | ||
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#Look for a toe web infection. Toe web infection is a form of athlete’s foot that is frequently found between the fourth and fifth toes. You will need to look for signs of athlete's foot in these areas, such as scaly, peeling or cracking skin. Bacteria can also infect the area causing further damage to the skin. | #Look for a toe web infection. Toe web infection is a form of athlete’s foot that is frequently found between the fourth and fifth toes. You will need to look for signs of athlete's foot in these areas, such as scaly, peeling or cracking skin. Bacteria can also infect the area causing further damage to the skin. | ||
#See if you might have a moccasin-type infection. Moccasin-type infection may begin as a very mild thickening or cracking on the heel or other areas on the bottom of your foot. It can gradually become worse, infecting toenails so that they also thicken, crack or fall out. Be sure to check your toenails for signs of irritation or fungal infection. | #See if you might have a moccasin-type infection. Moccasin-type infection may begin as a very mild thickening or cracking on the heel or other areas on the bottom of your foot. It can gradually become worse, infecting toenails so that they also thicken, crack or fall out. Be sure to check your toenails for signs of irritation or fungal infection. | ||
| − | #Check for a vesicular infection. This type of fungal infection can cause fluid-filled blisters to occur suddenly on your foot. The blisters can usually be found on the bottom of your foot. A bacterial infection can coincide with your vesicular type infection, making symptoms much worse.<ref | + | #Check for a vesicular infection. This type of fungal infection can cause fluid-filled blisters to occur suddenly on your foot. The blisters can usually be found on the bottom of your foot. A bacterial infection can coincide with your vesicular type infection, making symptoms much worse.<ref name="rf4" /> |
#Be aware that athlete’s foot can spread to other areas of the body. Fungal infections are opportunistic and can appear anywhere that conditions allow them to thrive. You should always wash your hands thoroughly after handling infected areas on your feet. | #Be aware that athlete’s foot can spread to other areas of the body. Fungal infections are opportunistic and can appear anywhere that conditions allow them to thrive. You should always wash your hands thoroughly after handling infected areas on your feet. | ||
#*Fungal infections can spread to your hands, especially if you pick at areas on your foot infected with athlete’s foot. | #*Fungal infections can spread to your hands, especially if you pick at areas on your foot infected with athlete’s foot. | ||
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#*Taking skin scrapings from the infected area in order to take a look at the cells under a microscope. | #*Taking skin scrapings from the infected area in order to take a look at the cells under a microscope. | ||
#*Using a black-light to look at your feet and see if the light shows fungus on your foot. | #*Using a black-light to look at your feet and see if the light shows fungus on your foot. | ||
| − | #*Sending a sample of skin cells to the laboratory for further testing.<ref>http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/athletes-foot/basics/tests-diagnosis/con-20014892</ref> | + | #*Sending a sample of skin cells to the laboratory for further testing.<ref name="rf5">http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/athletes-foot/basics/tests-diagnosis/con-20014892</ref> |
===Treating Athlete's Foot=== | ===Treating Athlete's Foot=== | ||
#Choose an over-the-counter topical medicine. There are many nonprescription antifungal creams, solutions, gels, sprays, ointments, swabs or powders that can be effective for treating athlete’s foot. Some take one to two weeks to work, while others must be used for four to eight weeks before they get rid of the fungal infection. Faster-acting medications tend to be a little more expensive than the others but require less medication to finish treating athlete’s foot. | #Choose an over-the-counter topical medicine. There are many nonprescription antifungal creams, solutions, gels, sprays, ointments, swabs or powders that can be effective for treating athlete’s foot. Some take one to two weeks to work, while others must be used for four to eight weeks before they get rid of the fungal infection. Faster-acting medications tend to be a little more expensive than the others but require less medication to finish treating athlete’s foot. | ||
#*Over-the-counter topical antifungals usually contain one of the following as its active ingredient: clotrimazole, miconazole, terbinafine or tolnaftate. Treatment usually lasts from one to eight weeks, depending on the medication you choose. | #*Over-the-counter topical antifungals usually contain one of the following as its active ingredient: clotrimazole, miconazole, terbinafine or tolnaftate. Treatment usually lasts from one to eight weeks, depending on the medication you choose. | ||
| − | #Apply a topical antifungal. Wash your hands before and after treating athlete’s foot. The area should be dry before you place the medication directly onto the rash as well as some surrounding areas. Even if your rash disappears, the fungus could still be on your skin, so keep using the medicine.<ref>http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/athletes-foot/Pages/Treatment.aspx</ref> | + | #Apply a topical antifungal. Wash your hands before and after treating athlete’s foot. The area should be dry before you place the medication directly onto the rash as well as some surrounding areas. Even if your rash disappears, the fungus could still be on your skin, so keep using the medicine.<ref name="rf6">http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/athletes-foot/Pages/Treatment.aspx</ref> |
#*It is a good idea to continue using anti-fungal powders and creams for one to two weeks after fungus has cleared up to ensure that the infection does not return. | #*It is a good idea to continue using anti-fungal powders and creams for one to two weeks after fungus has cleared up to ensure that the infection does not return. | ||
#*Always use the medication as you are instructed on the box, tube or pamphlet that comes with the medication. Don’t skip doses, and don’t finish using the medication before the directions recommend—even if symptoms disappear before then. | #*Always use the medication as you are instructed on the box, tube or pamphlet that comes with the medication. Don’t skip doses, and don’t finish using the medication before the directions recommend—even if symptoms disappear before then. | ||
#*Never tear off skin that is flaking. You could damage healthy surrounding skin and spread the fungal infection. | #*Never tear off skin that is flaking. You could damage healthy surrounding skin and spread the fungal infection. | ||
#Use Burow’s solution. This solution sometimes used for skin conditions is usually available over-the-counter and has astringent and antibacterial properties. It can be particularly useful for treating a vesicular infection. | #Use Burow’s solution. This solution sometimes used for skin conditions is usually available over-the-counter and has astringent and antibacterial properties. It can be particularly useful for treating a vesicular infection. | ||
| − | #*Follow the directions, and soak your foot several times a day for at least three days. When all the blister fluid has dried up, you can move on to applying an antifungal topical medication to the infected area.<ref> http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/tc/athletes-foot-other-treatment</ref> | + | #*Follow the directions, and soak your foot several times a day for at least three days. When all the blister fluid has dried up, you can move on to applying an antifungal topical medication to the infected area.<ref name="rf7"> http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/tc/athletes-foot-other-treatment</ref> |
#*You can also put Burow’s solution on a cloth or other compress and apply it to the infected area. | #*You can also put Burow’s solution on a cloth or other compress and apply it to the infected area. | ||
#*Another common remedy you can try is a solution that is 2/3 warm water and 1/3 vinegar. | #*Another common remedy you can try is a solution that is 2/3 warm water and 1/3 vinegar. | ||
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#Wear wider shoes. Tight shoes do not allow air to flow around your feet. This can make it easy for fungus to grow. Something else you can do is to use lamb's wool between your toes to keep them separated when wearing your shoes. Lamb's wool can be found in your local drug store of foot care center. | #Wear wider shoes. Tight shoes do not allow air to flow around your feet. This can make it easy for fungus to grow. Something else you can do is to use lamb's wool between your toes to keep them separated when wearing your shoes. Lamb's wool can be found in your local drug store of foot care center. | ||
== Tips == | == Tips == | ||
| − | *Dry your groin area before your feet when bathing or swimming. Put your socks on before you put on your underwear to prevent spreading fungal infections to your groin.<ref>http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/tc/athletes-foot-home-treatment</ref> | + | *Dry your groin area before your feet when bathing or swimming. Put your socks on before you put on your underwear to prevent spreading fungal infections to your groin.<ref name="rf8">http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/tc/athletes-foot-home-treatment</ref> |
*Talk to a health care professional for advice on what type of medication you should use. | *Talk to a health care professional for advice on what type of medication you should use. | ||
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*If your athlete's foot doesn’t go away or gets worse, then you will want to see a doctor or specialist. | *If your athlete's foot doesn’t go away or gets worse, then you will want to see a doctor or specialist. | ||
*Untreated athlete’s foot can be spread to others or lead to a bacterial infection. | *Untreated athlete’s foot can be spread to others or lead to a bacterial infection. | ||
| − | *If you have diabetes and get symptoms of athlete’s foot, then you should see a doctor.<ref | + | *If you have diabetes and get symptoms of athlete’s foot, then you should see a doctor.<ref name="rf8" /> |
== Related Articles == | == Related Articles == | ||
