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Did you know that anyone can get an athlete’s foot, regardless of one’s occupation? Athlete’s foot, medically known as tinea pedis, is a skin infection that commonly affects the feet. The name "athlete’s foot" comes from the idea that the fungi causing it can thrive in hot, moist environments like athletic equipment and locker rooms. Athlete’s foot is caused by trichophyton, a fungus that is often found on floors and in clothing. If the skin is dry and clean, the fungi exist harmlessly on human skin. However, they multiply under damp and warm conditions.
Athlete’s foot is contagious and can spread through direct skin contact with infected individuals or by coming into contact with contaminated items by an infected person, such as clothes, shoes, socks, and bed sheets. While an athlete’s foot primarily affects the feet, if the infected areas are scratched or picked, the infection can spread to other parts of the body.
Diagnosing Athlete’s Foot
An athlete’s foot can be diagnosed by a doctor just by looking at it, although some types may look like dry skin or dermatitis. In such cases, the doctor may take a skin scraping from the affected area for testing in a lab to rule out other conditions and confirm the diagnosis.
Who Is at Risk?
Individuals with weakened immune systems are more prone to developing athlete’s foot. People with sweaty feet and tight-fitting shoes are also at higher risk. Tight shoes can create ideal conditions for fungi to thrive by squeezing the toes together. Additionally, those with a history of foot rot, individuals who walk around barefooted in public places, and frequent swimmers are also prone to this disease.
How Do You Know?
Athlete’s foot is characterized by a scaly rash, flaky and dry skin around the feet, itchiness (especially right after taking off shoes and socks), blister formation, peeling or cracked skin between the toes, inflamed skin, burning or stinging, blisters, and wounds.
It is estimated that at least 70 percent of all people will have a fungal foot infection at some point. If left untreated, an athlete's foot can lead to bacterial infections, foot ulcers, allergic reactions, boils, and other complications. Therefore, if self-treatment doesn't improve a rash on the foot within two weeks, it is important to see a doctor for the appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
REFERENCES
Information from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/261244#athletes_foot_complications, https://www.eastcoastpodiatry.sg/footrot/#:~:text=What%20causes%20foot%20rot%3F,nails%2C%20causing%20fungal%20nail%20infections, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/athletes-foot/symptoms-causes/syc-20353841 and https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/athletes-foot.html was used in this story
