Do you have itching, burning, and smelly feet? Have you noticed peeling and redness between your toes? If so, you may be suffering from athlete's foot (tinea pedis as it is referred to in the medical field) a fungal infection of the skin that generally affects the feet. If this sounds familiar to you, read on to learn more about the condition, and start to treat it so that you can show off your feet confidently!
Athlete's foot usually starts between your toes, and from there it can spread to the sole of your feet, sides of your feet, and even your toenails. Did you know that the condition is called athlete's foot because many athletes end up getting it at one point or another? This is due to the fact that one of the main causes of the condition is having damp and sweaty feet, which is something that athletes frequently have due to their exercise regimens. That said, anyone can get athlete's foot!
Athlete's Foot Causes: Why Me!?
Athlete's foot not only feels awful, but it can also lower your confidence and cause you to avoid situations in which you need to show your bare feet. You may wonder why you have developed this condition, and become frustrated with its symptoms — particularly if they keep recurring or refuse to go away. It is important to keep in mind that athlete's foot can affect anyone, and by following a few simple guidelines, you can stop the infection and prevent it from coming back again.
Getting to know the causes of athlete's foot can help you to understand the condition better and treat it as soon as possible. It is important to keep in mind that the main cause of this condition is an infection from dermatophyte fungus, though other fungi such as yeast and mold can also be a cause.
The fungus that causes athlete's foot likes the heat and humidity of feet. This, combined with limited air flow passing through socks and shoes, can create a perfect breeding ground for athlete's foot. There are also some additional factors that can make it even more likely that you will acquire the condition, including:
• Walking barefoot on wet surfaces in public areas such as pools, showers, saunas, public restrooms, and locker rooms
• Sharing shoes
• Tight shoes
• Wet socks and/or shoes
• Wearing the same pair of shoes for a long time
• Not taking proper care of your feet
Athlete's Foot Treatment: What can I do?
There are topical athlete's foot products available that eliminate and prevent foot fungus, such as terbinafine cream. These antifungal products, whether in a cream, gel, or spray, help to alleviate the symptoms of athlete's foot quickly and effectively in order to help you to get your feet back on track.
Together with a topical treatment, it is also important that you incorporate healthy foot hygiene habits into your day-to-day, such as the following:
• Thoroughly wash and dry your feet on a regular basis
• Use a fresh pair of dry socks every day
• Wear shoes that allow your feet to breathe
• Use flip-flops, sandals, or shower shoes when walking on wet public surfaces such as public pools, spas, showers, and locker rooms.
• Wash your hands after touching your feet
When you start to use a product like athlete's foot cream to treat the condition, it is important that you remain consistent, and use it as directed. Commit to applying the same dose, at the same time, every day for the full duration of treatment. It is possible that your symptoms start to improve quickly after starting treatment, but if you stop applying the product before the treatment is finished, it is very likely that the infection will remain on your feet, and cause your symptoms to return. It is also important that you treat both feet, even if you have symptoms on only one foot, since the other foot is most likely also harboring infection, but has yet to show symptoms.
Make sure to schedule an appointment with your doctor if you have any irregularities outside of regular athlete's foot symptoms, or if the symptoms do not go away with proper treatment and hygiene alone.
By taking these guidelines into effect, you can feel confident that you are caring for your feet in the best way possible. Free yourself of athlete’s foot, so that you can feel more comfortable and confident in yourself. Go back to sharing fun times barefoot with friends and family without worrying about them looking at your feet.
Take care!
