Athlete's foot is a misleading word because the condition does not only occur in athletes. It is a common name given to a fungus infection of the skin that mostly occurs in between toes but can occur anywhere on the foot. The main reason for Athlete's foot is a fungus and the condition is called tinea pedis. This fungus practically lives and grows everywhere just as long as the area is warm and moist. Therefore places like -- inside of your footwear especially rubber shoes that are not often aired out and dried properly – is a perfect breeding ground for this fungus. Once the fungus inhabits your shoes, it is really hard to make it go away.
Often, people suffering from this foot problem will start to experience itching in between the toes. There will also be scaling and unusual redness in the skin. Soon after, the affected area develops crack and blisters occur. Scratching the affected area or touching it will cause the skin to open up and allowing the fungus to enter deep into the skin, thereby exacerbating the condition. It is also so much easier for the problem to spread to other areas of the foot when you are scratching and touching the affected area.
This condition can cause a great deal of discomfort and can affect an individual's quality of life. The skin involved may be get swollen and may contain sticky fluid. Patients may also experience a scaly dry rash on the bottom and sides of feet. This type of athlete's foot is called a moccasin pattern. Cracks or fissures usually occur between the toes, sometimes with an accompanied soft white scale
The first symptoms include dry and itchy lesions. Patients often report a burning or stinging sensation. A common associated condition with athlete’s foot is a fungal nail infection. If athlete’s foot is not treated the lesion can become infected and extremely painful. When not treated early, fungal infections like these can become really severe with the toenails becoming yellowed and thick.
Although there are topical medicines available that can help your solve this problem, prevention is always the best treatment. Always wear cotton socks when using your rubber shoes. These absorb the moisture so that it will not adhere to the shoes. Of course, change those socks often as the sweat inside can also be a good environment for the fungus.
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