An Article Written By Cecilia Brennan
Podiatrist – New Step Podiatry
How to Prevent and Treat Athlete’s Foot
Ever thought you needed to be sprinting laps or scoring goals to get athlete’s foot? Think again! Despite its sporty name, athlete’s foot (medically known as tinea pedis) doesn’t play favourites—it can affect anyone with feet. And here’s a plot twist: it’s not always itchy! Sometimes it sneaks up on you without a single scratch or tingle.
This mischievous fungus loves to hang out in warm, moist places which is the exact environment your feet are in when in shoes. Understanding what athlete’s foot is and recognising its sneaky symptoms are your first steps toward kicking it to the curb. So, let’s dive into all things athlete’s foot with this blog article.
What Is Athlete’s Foot?
Athlete’s foot is a contagious fungal infection caused by dermatophytes, a specific group of fungi that cause infections of the skin, hair, and nails.
The term comes from the Greek words “derma,” meaning skin, and “phyte,” meaning plant (though dermatophytes are fungi, not plants).
Dermatophyte infections of the skin are often referred to as “tinea” or “ringworm,” followed by a term that specifies the location of the infection. See below for more examples.
Other Names for Athlete’s Foot
- Foot ringworm
- Moccasin foot (a specific type of athlete’s foot)
- Tinea pedis
Us podiatrist use the term tinea pedis as tinea = fungal infection and pedis = foot. This is because dermatophyte infections of the skin are often referred to as “tinea” or “ringworm” followed by a term that specifies the location of the infection.
Want to guess what a fungal infection of the head is?
Tinea Corporis: Ringworm of the body
Tinea Capitis: Scalp ringworm
Tinea Cruris (Jock Itch): Infection of the groin area
How Dermatophytes Spread
Direct Contact: Through skin-to-skin contact with an infected person or animal.
Indirect Contact: By touching contaminated objects like towels, clothing, or surfaces in communal areas such as locker rooms and pools.
Environment: They thrive in warm, moist environments, making sweaty shoes and damp socks ideal places for them to grow.
Surprising Fact: Athlete’s Foot Isn’t Always Itchy
While itching is a hallmark symptom, athlete’s foot isn’t always itchy. Some people may experience burning sensations or no discomfort at all, making it important to visually inspect your feet regularly.
Is It Athlete’s Foot? Signs and Symptoms to Watch for
Symptoms can vary, but common signs include:
- Redness and scaling: The skin may appear dry, red and flaky.
- Cracked or peeling skin: Often occurs between the toes or on the soles.
- Blisters: Small, fluid-filled blisters can form.
- Dryness: The foot may be unusually dry, especially on the soles or sides.
- Discolouration: Affected areas might look white, soggy, or have a grayish tone particularly if it’s in between the toes.
- Odour: A noticeable unpleasant smell can accompany other symptoms.
Other skin conditions that have similar appearances to tinea pedis include eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, plantar pustulosis and plantar keratoderma.
Types of Athlete’s Foot: Which one do you have?
Yes, the medical world created sub types of tinea pedis. This helps with treatment plans as different sub types respond better to different treatments.
Toe Web Type
- Affects the spaces between the toes, usually the fourth and fifth toes.
- Symptoms include itching, burning, scaling, and sometimes a foul odour.
- Can present with cracked skin.
- Podiatrist call this “interdigital tinea pedis”.
Moccasin Type
- Involves the soles of the feet and can extend up the sides.
- Skin becomes dry, thickened, and scaly, resembling a moccasin shoe the weightbearing part of the foot).
- Often mistaken for dry skin or eczema.
Vesicular Type
- Characterised by the sudden onset of fluid-filled blisters on the sole or top of the foot.
- Can also be called “inflammatory tinea pedis” and “vesiculobullous tinea pedis”.
- Commonly presents with red skin.
- May be accompanied by bacterial infections if blisters rupture.
Ulcerative Type
- A rare, severe form that leads to open sores (ulcers) between the toes and on the soles.
- Can cause significant pain and is prone to secondary bacterial infections.
- If you would like to see a picture of ulcerative tinea pedis go to this link.
How is the Diagnosis of Tinea Pedis made?
The diagnosis of tinea pedis is usually made clinically i.e. listening to the patient’s symptoms and assessing the skin visually.
Diagnosis can be confirmed by skin scrapings, which are sent for microscopy and culture.
What can Cause a Fungal Infection?
As explained above, the cause of athlete’s foot is an infection of a dermatophytes. The following are contributing factors that allow dermatophytes to thrive.
- Wearing enclosed shoes with socks all day
- Excessive sweating – this promotes a warm, dark, moist environment that fungal spores prefer
- Living in a moist or humid environment
- Cross contamination from swimming pools, saunas, spas, public showers, nail salons
- Wearing nail polish all year round with an existing fungal infection
- Repeated trauma or microtrauma to the nail or skin allowing fungus to enter
- Being immunosuppressed (in older age, diabetics, pregnancy, peripheral arterial disease)
- Existing fungal infection in the nails, to read more about fungal infection including fungal toenails read this blog article written by our Podiatrist Bonnie McNab.
How to Treat Athlete’s Foot
Treating athlete’s foot promptly can prevent it from spreading and becoming more severe. Here’s how:
- Keep Your Feet Clean and Dry
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- Wash regularly: Clean your feet daily or twice daily with soap and water. Be sure to wash between your toes.
- Thorough drying: After showering, dry your feet thoroughly, especially between the toes.
- Manage sweaty feet:
- Remove socks when you can to let your feet breathe.
- Change into a clean, dry pair of socks halfway through your work or school day.
- Consider wearing moisture-wicking socks.
- Apply methylated spirits to moist skin such as inbetween toes by dabbing or spraying to reduce moisture.
- Use Over-the-Counter Antifungal Medications
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- Choose effective products: Creams, sprays, or powders containing clotrimazole or terbinafine are effective.
- Select the right form: For infections between the toes or on moist skin, podiatrists often recommend a spray since creams might add extra moisture.
- Follow instructions: Apply the medication as directed, and continue using it even after symptoms disappear to ensure the fungus is fully eradicated.
- Avoid Tight Footwear
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- Opt for breathable shoes: Wear shoes made of materials like leather or canvas that allow air circulation.
- Wear appropriate socks: Choose moisture-wicking socks to keep your feet dry.
- Don’t Scratch Affected Areas
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- Prevent spreading: Scratching can worsen the infection and spread it to your hands or other body parts.
- Consult a Healthcare Professional
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- Seek professional advice: If symptoms persist or worsen after self-treatment, consult a podiatrist or doctor.
- Professional treatment: Particularly if you have thick or rubbery skin between the toes, a podiatrist can remove superficial layers of the fungal infection.
- Check for nail infections: Podiatrists will also examine your toenails for fungal infections, so remove any nail polish before your appointment. For more information on fungal toenail infections read this blog article by our Podiatrist Bonnie McNab.
- Prescription medications: Stubborn cases may require prescription-strength treatments.
- Follow Prevention Tips
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- Read on: Continue to the next section to learn how to prevent athlete’s foot from recurring.
How to Prevent Athlete’s Foot
Prevention strategies are crucial, especially if you’ve had athlete’s foot before:
- Wear shower sandals or flip-flops in public areas
- Protect your feet in communal showers, locker rooms, hotel showers, and pools.
- Maintain good hygiene
- Wash your feet daily: Clean your feet once or twice daily with soap and water to reduce bacterial and fungal spores on the skin.
- Avoid injuring your skin and nails: Refrain from picking at or improperly trimming your skin and nails, as this could allow fungal spores to enter.
- Wash your hands: Always wash your hands after touching skin or nails with a fungal infection.
- Alternate your shoes
- Air time: Give your shoes time to air out between wears.
- Remove insoles to help them dry.
- Choose the right socks
- Natural fibres: Wear socks made of natural fibers or moisture-wicking materials.
- Change socks if they become damp during the day.
- Replace socks: Apply a clean, dry pair of socks halfway through your work or school day.
- Keep nails trimmed and clean
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- Fungi can reside under toenails; keeping them short reduces risk.
- Limit nail polish and artificial nails: Avoid keeping nail polish or artificial nails on for extended periods. [Read more about this here (insert link).]
- Be cautious at nail salons: If you visit a nail salon, bring your own nail polish and avoid foot baths and instruments that are not adequately sanitized or replaced between clients.
- For more information on fungal toenail infections read this blog article by our Podiatrist Bonnie McNab.
- Avoid sharing personal items
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- Do not share towels, shoes, or socks with others.
- Disinfect surfaces
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- Clean shower floors regularly: This helps prevent cross-contamination between household members.
- Wash socks and bathroom mats properly: Use a hot wash cycle (above 60°C) or add a fungicidal rinse to your washing machine’s fabric softener compartment. Examples of fungicidal rinse are in the below picture taken at local Belconnen major supermarket.
Conclusion
Athlete’s foot is a common yet manageable condition. By recognising the signs and taking prompt action, you can effectively treat the infection and prevent it from recurring. Maintaining good foot hygiene is essential not only for treatment but also as a cornerstone of prevention. If over-the-counter treatments aren’t providing relief or if you’re unsure about your symptoms, don’t hesitate to consult a healthcare professional.
At New Step Podiatry in Belconnen, we’re committed to helping you achieve optimal foot health. Our team is ready to provide personalised advice and effective treatment options to get you back on your feet confidently.
Do you Have Athlete’s Foot?
Our podiatrists are here to ensure those in Canberra have access to quality services that can help individuals get the treatment they deserve.
Easily BOOK ONLINE or give us a call on 02 6198 4818.
References
https://dermnetnz.org/topics/tinea-pedis
https://www.adelaide.edu.au/mycology/fungal-descriptions-and-antifungal-susceptibility/dermatophytes/trichophyton#trichophyton-rubrum
