Athlete’s foot, also known as Tinea Pedis, is a common skin infection which mostly grows between the toes or on the soles of the feet. This is a fungal infection and people can get infected easily from a person to person. We aim to completely cover Tinea Pedis symptoms, causes, and the best treatments in this article. So stay with us.
What is Tinea Pedis and How You Can Treat it?
Athlete’s foot, also known as Tinea Pedis, is a common skin infection that can disturb your life easily and turn to a troublesome guest. Tinea Pedis affects the foot skin and makes it itchy, flaking, scaly rash and it leads to blisters in some cases as well. Also, Tinea Pedis can grow through your nails and make them thick, discolored and vulnerable. This infection’s fungi grow rapidly in a moist and warm environment and it transfers rapidly; especially in places with poor hygiene practices; therefore, it’s very important to take the self-care factors as consideration. Tinea Pedis can be very irritating and life disturbing. Also, it can negatively affect a patient’s self-confidence.
Why is Tinea Pedis Called as Athelet’s Foot?
It is called Athlete's Foot because it is one of the common infections among the athletes who wear shoes for a long time and their feet are exposed to the sweat and moisture constantly. Also, athletes are more exposed to the moist environment like swimming pools or dressing rooms; therefore, the risk of this infection increases.
Tinea Pedis Symptom
Tinea Pedis symptoms vary from person to person but usually it includes the items below:
- Itching between the toes or on the soles of the feet.
- Redness or inflammation in the contaminated part
- Flaky skin or little crack in skin
- Simple blisters or fluid-filled blisters
- Feet unpleasant smell
Tinea Pedis Causes
Tinea Pedis related fungi usually grow in a moist and warm environment such as swimming pools, shared showers, and gyms. Also, there are other factors that increase the probability of Tinea Pedis occurrence. Factors such as:
- Moist environments such as swimming pools, sports gym and shared showers
- Sweaty feet and tight-fitting shoes that are exposed to the moisture
- Wearing footwears that aren't breathable
- Wearing cotton or moist socks
- Diabetes people or people with a weak immune system are more exposed to the Tinea Pedis
- Contact with an infected person
Immune System’s Role in Tinea Pedis
The immune system of the body plays a crucial role in controlling the fungi growth or preventing infections. People infected with diabetes, and HIV or people undergoing immunosuppressive treatments (Like chemotherapy) are more exposed to the risk of fungal infections. In these cases, the infection can get more widespread and the treatment can get more complicated.
Probable Tinea Pedis Side Effects
- Infection transference to other parts of the body: Fungi can spread to other body parts like hands, nails and groins.
- Secondary bacterial infection: Skin scratching causes the bacteria enter the body and bacterial infection happens
- Recurrent Relapse: If the moisture, the main cause of Tinea Pedis, isn’t removed, you will experience the infection again.
How You Can Prevent Tinea Pedis?
To avoid Tinea Pedis infection you should"
- Wash your feet with water and soap every time you take your shoes off and dry them with your own towel. Try to maintain your foot hygene.
- Choose comfortable and breathable footwears that helps your feet to stay dry during the day (Like footwear with leather or mesh material)
- Use clean and dry socks and avoid moist or cotton ones. Also, change your socks everyday
- Wear sandals or slippers in public places where people walk barefoot like swimming pools, sport gyms, and shared showers. It helps your feet to get away from the fungi in these environments.
- Don’t share your personal belongings with others; especially your towel or your shoes.
The Best Treatments for Tinea Pedis
Since the Tinea Pedis fungi penetrate in the depth of your bednail, you need to choose a penetrable treatment. Therefore, we introduce you to the best and the most strong antifungal treatments with a high penetrability:
- Antifungal sprays: These sprays are the best items for the Tinea Pedis treatment. Antifungal sprays have a high speed to penetrate into the nail bed and are strong enough that you can observe the first traces in a few days. It’s mostly because the antifungal sprays can cover a vast area in contrast to other fungal treatments.
- Antifungal ointments or creams: Antifungal ointments or creams are also another treatment that you can take as a consideration but they cover a lesser area in contrast to antifungal sprays. However, they still are strong enough to eliminate the Tinea Pedis fungi completely.
- Antifungal powder: Antifungal powder is mostly used to keep your feet dry and . Also it helps you to prevent the fungus from growing in your feet.
Which Treatment is the Best?
Regarding the vast area that is covered by the antifungal sprays are really significant and you can’t disregard that. This function of the antifungal sprays help you to cover the contaminated areas completely. Therefore, the spray can target the whole fungus and eliminate them thoroughly.
When is it better to consult an expert?
It’d be better to consult an expert, when you experience the following symptoms:
- When you didn't feel any recovery from the infection, even after using the over-the-counter (OTC) treatments.
- When the infection spreads through your body.
- When there are open scars or bacterial infection
- When you are infected with diabetes or other underlying disease that can increase the risk of Tinea Pedis.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Tinea Pedis is one of the most common and painful infections that can disturb your life. You can easily cure this infection using antifungal treatments and maintaining your foot hygiene and prevent it from coming back again. Also, you can avoid this infestation by choosing comfortable and breathable shoes for your feet and sock.If you are experiencing Tinea Pedis, we suggest you purchase antifungal treatments; especially antifungal spray because it covers a vast area of the infection and you can get rid of this ugly fungus sooner.