The Sunday News
Athlete’s foot is a skin infection caused by a fungus. Treatment with an antifungal cream usually works well. The tips given below may help to prevent athlete’s foot coming back after it has been treated.
Who gets athlete’s foot and how do you get it?
Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection of the skin on the feet. It is very common — up to one in four people have athlete’s foot. Fungal germs (fungi) often occur in small numbers on human skin where they usually do no harm. However, if conditions are right they can invade the skin, multiply, and cause infection. The conditions fungi like best are warm, moist and airless areas of skin, such as between the toes.
Anyone can get athlete’s foot. It is more common in people who sweat more, or who wear shoes and socks which make their feet more sweaty. Athlete’s foot can also be passed on from person to person. For example, this may occur in communal showers used by athletes or swimmers. A tiny flake of infected skin from a person with athlete’s foot can fall off whilst showering. It may then be trodden on by others who may then develop the infection. Once a small patch of infection develops, it typically spreads on the skin.
What are the symptoms of athlete’s foot?
The skin between the little toes tends to be affected at first. A rash develops that becomes itchy and scaly. The skin may become cracked and sore. Large splits (fissures) in the skin between the toes can develop, which can be very painful. Tiny flakes of infected skin may fall off. The rash may spread gradually along the toes if left untreated. In some cases it spreads to the soles. Occasionally, the infection causes a scaling rash on the entire sole and side of the foot. In other cases it causes more of a blistering rash on part of the sole of the foot.
What is the treatment for athlete’s foot?
l Clotrimazole: apply 2-3 times a day for at least four weeks.
l Miconazole: apply twice a day, and continue for 10 days after the skin is back to normal.
l Econazole: apply twice a day until the skin is back to normal.
l Ketoconazole. apply twice a day for seven days. Continue for a further few days if more severe. Not suitable for children.
l Terbinafine: apply once or twice a day for seven days. Not suitable for children.
l Undecenoic acid: apply twice a day and continue for a week after the skin is back to normal.
An antifungal tablet is sometimes prescribed for adults if the infection does not clear with a cream, or if the infection is severe. Tablets are also sometimes needed if the infection is in many places on the skin in addition to the toes.
The following tips may prevent athlete’s foot recurring:
l Wash your feet daily, and dry the skin between your toes thoroughly after washing. This is perhaps the most important point. It is tempting to put socks on when your feet are not quite dry. The soggy skin between the toes is then ideal for fungi to grow.
l Do not share towels in communal changing rooms. Wash towels frequently.
l Change your socks daily. Fungi may multiply in flakes of skin in unwashed socks. Cotton socks and leather footwear are probably better than nylon socks and plastic footwear, which increase sweating.
l Ideally, alternate between different shoes every 2-3 days to allow each pair to dry out fully after being worn.
l Ideally, wear flip-flops or plastic sandals in communal changing rooms and showers. This prevents the soles of your feet coming into contact with the ground, which may contain flakes of skin from other people.
l Ideally, when at home, leave your shoes and socks off as much as possible to let the air get to your feet. However, this may not be practical for some people.
l If athlete’s foot keeps coming back, you may be able to prevent this by using one of the antifungal sprays or creams regularly as a precaution. — patient.co.uk
