Eliminate Athlete’s Foot
Athlete’s foot can affect people of all ages, and despite its name, you don’t have to be an athlete to get this fungal infection. Everyday occurrences, such as wet shoes or a trip to a public swimming pool, are enough to allow this infection of the skin to take hold.
According to the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), Athlete’s foot is a fungus, and like many other fungi, it grows best in damp, dark spaces. The best warm, dark damp space on the foot is between the fourth and fifth toe, and it is hypothesized that this is where fungus lays dormant. Because the soles of the feet have so many sweat glands that provide a steady supply of moisture, the soles are one of the most common area for athlete’s foot to be symptomatic. It’s also common for people with hyperhidrosis, a condition that results in sweaty feet or palms of their hands, to be especially susceptible to athlete’s foot. If left untreated, it can also spread to the nails, hands, and groin area.
Athlete’s foot is easily passed because it can live on wet surfaces like a damp shower floor or a towel. It’s common to get athlete’s foot walking barefoot in a shower area at a pool, gym, or sauna.
Preventing Athlete’s Foot
At Harford Lower Extremity Specialists, we start by helping our Bel Air and Elkton, Maryland patients understand how they got athlete’s foot, and recommend strategies for preventing it from recurring. Avoiding contact with infected surfaces will prevent the spread of the infection. Keeping your feet dry is one of the best ways to prevent athlete’s foot. For some patients, this can be as simple as changing out of wet shoes quickly. Other patients may need to apply a spray or powder on the feet and in shoes to prevent moisture from becoming an issue. A Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (D.P.M.) may also recommend a prescription cream or pills, or over-the-counter anti-fungal products and non-fungal drying agents.
We also help our patients understand the best ways to keep socks clean and dry and encourage them to change socks quickly if they become sweaty. Choosing the right shoes and socks may help in many instances. Styles of shoes and socks have different levels of breathability. Wearing the most breathable materials, and alternating shoe choices each day are smart ways to reduce moisture buildup. Diligently wearing shower shoes in public areas also helps. Our doctors strongly discourage sharing footwear, socks, or towels.
Foot Doctors Treat Athlete’s Foot
While creating a prevention plan is essential to avert future outbreaks, we also help our patients find relief from burning, itchy athlete’s foot. Symptoms of athlete’s foot include itching, redness, cracked skin, peeling, scaley skin, and even blisters. We’ll prescribe an anti-fungal gel or cream to reduce discomfort and eliminate the infection. In severe cases our doctors use biopsy to determine the causative factor. We may also prescribe oral medications when needed. Your treatment will vary based on the severity of your condition and the causes of your infection.
A podiatrist will prescribe the best course of action for your condition. If you need help getting rid of athlete’s foot, Harford Lower Extremity Specialists has the tools and the expertise to help! Please fill out our contact form, call our offices to schedule an evaluation at (410) 836-0131, or click the Schedule An Appointment button below.