Athletes Foot is a fungal growth that causes cracks or blisters on the feet, typically between the toes. It is easy to treat if you know how.
The fungi that causes Athletes Foot flourishes on warm, sweaty feet. It is commonly picked up in a locker room or around a community swimming pool or shower. If one person in your family has it, it is easy to pass to others.
The symptoms are itchy, cracked or burning feet. Blistering can occur in some cases. The most common area of affliction is between the toes, but other areas of the feet can be affected. If you are experiencing deep, oozing cracks or blisters, consult a podiatrist, dermatologist or your family physician to begin treatment as soon as possible to avoid infections or serious complications. Athletes Foot will likely get worse if left untreated.
Most Athletes Foot Cases Can Be Treated at Home
Mild cases of Athletes Foot can be cured by cleaning the feet regularly with soap and water and exposing the feet more regularly to fresh air. Make sure that when you shower or bathe, you gently clean the areas between the toes with soap and water. Rinse the area thoroughly and allow your feet to dry completely before putting on socks. Apply a fungicidal foot powder or baby powder to the feet prior to putting on your socks. Rub the powder gently between the toes.
In stubborn cases, a fungicidal creme designed for treating Athletes Foot should be applied several times daily. You can find these cremes in the foot treatments section of your local pharmacy.
Here are some tips to help avoid Athletes Foot and to accelerate home treatment.
- Avoid wearing boots. If you live in a winter climate and need to wear boots to work, switch to more comfortable shoes that allow you feet to breathe when at work.
- Avoid public showers or wear beach sandals when using public showers.
- Avoid wearing synthetic socks. Feet sweat more with synthetic socks. Wear cotton or light wool socks.
- Go barefoot more often at home. Expose your feet to fresh air as often as you can.
- Wear sandals more often when outside or running errands.
- If you work at a desk in an office, kick off your shoes while at your desk. It’s more comfortable and allows your feet to breath.
Treating and preventing Athletes Foot is really a matter of avoiding the conditions under which it thrives.