Athlete’s Foot

What is Athlete’s foot?

Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that develops on the skin in the warm and moist areas, which could be between the toes and other parts of the foot. It is a very common type of fungal infection, caused by the fungus Trichophyton.

Three types of Athlete’s foot include chronic interdigital athlete’s foot, chronic scaly athlete’s foot (moccasin-type) and acute vesicular athlete’s foot.

Symptoms of Athlete’s foot

Symptoms and signs of this infection include itching, stinging and burning between your toes and on the soles of your feet, excessive dryness of the skin on the bottoms or sides of the feet, sudden outbreak of fluid-filled blisters under the skin and cracking and peeling skin. In addition, the skin may also become very red and scaly.

Causes of Athlete’s foot

Trichophyton, belonging to a group of fungi called dermatophytes, is responsible for Athlete’s foot. It is found on floors and in clothing. It can be passed from person to person through contaminated towels, clothing or surfaces. Wearing thick, tight shoes that enhance warm and moist conditions around the skin are also causes of Athlete’s foot. Plastic shoes especially can cause this issue. Communal spaces that are humid and warm such as showers, locker rooms and swimming pools are more likely to host the fungus.

Risk factors of Athlete’s foot

Although it is a common infection and can happen to anyone, certain factors can increase your chances of developing athlete’s foot. These include gender (being a man raises the chances of you getting Athlete’s foot), wearing damp socks or tightfitting shoes frequently,

Having a weakened immune system, walking barefoot in public areas-especially locker rooms, showers, and swimming pools, sharing mats, rugs, bed linens, clothes or shoes with someone who has a fungal infection, keeping feet wet for long periods of time, having sweaty feet and getting a minor skin or nail injury on the foot. 

Complications of Athlete’s foot

In some cases, Athlete’s foot may develop certain complications if it is not treated or is ignored. This is especially true in cases where the patient has a weak immune system. These complications include developing a secondary bacterial infection, getting an allergic response and cellulitis. If you develop a secondary infection, it can spread to the lymph system and impact the lymph nodes. Sometimes, athlete's foot can also spread to the hands in a condition called tinea manuum.

Diagnosis of Athlete’s foot

Athlete’s foot can usually be cured through treatment at home and over the counter medications, but if the infection does not go away after a week of treatment, it is best to go see a specialist.

To diagnose someone with Athlete’s foot, the doctor may conduct a skin lesion potassium hydroxide (KOH) exam, where they would take skin scrapings or samples from the infected area and view them under a microscope. They may also order a culture and other tests to rule out the possibility of other diseases, such as dermatitis, psoriasis, or another skin infection.

Treatment of Athlete’s foot

Treatments for Athlete’s foot caused by fungal infection include homeopathic treatments, conventional or allopathic treatments through medication, dietary and herbal treatments, and others. 

Homeopathic Treatment of Athlete’s Foot

In homeopathic treatment, the homeopathic specialist reviews all of the emotional and mental aspects of the patient as well as the symptoms of the disease. The treatment and prescription is assigned based on the individual’s lifestyle and preferences. This treatment aims to balance the energy system, improve immunity and bodily functions by targeting the root of the infection. Some common homeopathic medicines for athlete’s foot are Alum, Agar, Graph, Sulph, Baryta Carbonica, Nitric Acidum and petroleum.

Conventional or Allopathic Treatment of Athlete’s foot

Allopathic treatment of Athlete’s foot usually involves over the counter pharmacy drugs that include antifungal and antibacterial ingredients. These can be topical medications such as clotrimazole and miconazole. Oral medications such as itraconazole, fluconazole and terbinafine are also used. Medications also include oral antibiotics and steroid ointments. These medications can be in the form of tablets, powders, liquids, sprays and creams.

Hydrogen peroxide can also prove beneficial in killing the fungus on the surface. You can our it directly on to the infected area.

Dietary and Herbal Treatment of Athlete’s foot

This treatment recommends keeping a balanced diet and avoiding foods that can aggravate the condition. This includes eliminating sugar from your diet, avoiding bananas and other tropical fruits and fruit juices, limiting dairy, and consuming low-sugar fruits such as apples and berries. Other foods include yogurt, cultured vegetables and kombucha.

Herbal and natural remedies include tea tree oil, Himalayan crystal salt and apple cider vinegar, garlic, neem oil, corn starch and baking soda, oregano oil, sea salt baths, Vick’s vapor rub, talcum powder and sesame seed oil.

Precautions and Prevention of Athlete’s foot

There are certain precautions and preventions you can employ to avoid getting Athlete’s foot or making your situation worse. It is very important to maintain good hygiene, and wash your feet daily with soap and water. However, there are other precautions you can employ. These include keeping your feet dry, especially between your toes, change socking and stockings regularly, wearing light, well-ventilated shoes, protecting your feet in public places, not sharing shoes especially with someone who has a bacterial infection, using powder, preferably antifungal, on your feet daily, wearing sandals in public showers, around public swimming pools, and other communal spaces, and treating cuts and scrapes carefully and promptly. 

It is also beneficial to avoid toxic environments with smoke and pollution. It is also recommended that you alternate between two pairs of shoes, wearing each pair every other day, to give your shoes time to dry out between uses. It is important for shoes and socks to be dry and clean, because moisture will create optimum conditions for the fungus to continue to grow. If you have Athlete’s foot, do not touch other parts of your body or objects right after touching the infected part because you can risk spreading the infection otherwise. Always wash your hands after touching the infected part of your foot.

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