Athlete’s foot: symptoms, prevention and treatment

What is athlete’s foot?

Athlete’s foot, medically known as tinea pedis, is a fungal infection of the feet caused by filamentous fungi. This skin disease is transmitted by so-called spores, the reproductive form of fungi. Since warm, moist areas are most likely to form between the toes, this is the most affected area of ​​an infection. Unfortunately, the fungal spores are particularly resistant and can survive for several weeks on skin flakes.

Athlete’s foot only on the foot?

Athlete’s foot usually affects the foot, but it can in principle spread to any other part of the body. Because of this, you should be careful not to spread it on other areas of your body. It is often enough to scratch your itchy feet with your bare hands. Fungal parts under the fingernail can get into the face, for example. But the fungus is also spread to other parts of the body through bath rugs and towels.

Causes of athlete’s foot

Athlete’s foot is usually transmitted from person to person. Only in the rarest of cases does this happen through direct skin contact. Since each of us constantly sheds small flakes of skin, some spread with the pathogen on the floor. It follows that the more people walk barefoot in one place, the greater the risk of infection – especially in public swimming pools , saunas and on the floor of a hotel room. However, contact with an infected skin flake alone does not cause athlete’s foot, because the pathogen first has to overcome the body’s defense system. Various factors can favor this:

• Socks and stockings made of synthetic fibers prevent the skin from breathing and do not absorb sweat. It stays on the skin and creates a warm, humid climate – the best conditions for a fungal infection to settle in and spread.
• Our immune system is usually responsible for protecting us against pathogens. When the body’s defenses are compromised, infections are more likely to spread.
• Shoes that are too tight ensure, among other things, that sensitive areas of skin are rubbed sore – the ideal breeding ground for athlete’s foot.
• Skin injuries can also lead to infection. For example, frequent cleaning with shower gel, bath additives and sprays damages the skin’s acidic and fatty layer.

Certain risk factors can promote infection and mean that some groups of people, such as people with diabetes mellitus or circulatory disorders, are particularly at risk of contracting athlete’s foot.

Symptoms of athlete’s foot

The pathogens that cause athlete’s foot are too small to see with the naked eye. However, there are some symptoms that indicate athlete’s foot:

• Persistent itching between the toes or on the soles of the feet
• Weeping skin between toes
• Red and scaly skin between the toes or on the foot
• Small tears in the skin between the toes or on the foot
• As the disease progresses, the edge of the infected skin surfaces becomes somewhat darker and small pustules or blisters form there

Particular form of athlete’s foot

A special form of athlete’s foot does not start in the spaces between the toes, but on the soles of the feet. As the disease progresses, the fungal infection slowly spreads to the edges and back of the foot. The first symptom is dry scaling of the inflamed skin. As the disease progresses, thick callus layers and cracks can form on the heels.

prevent athlete’s foot

• Public places: Caution is required, especially in places where many people go barefoot. Slippers are helpful in public baths and saunas, but also in hotel rooms.
• Dry feet: Feet and the spaces between the toes must always be kept dry. They should be dried properly, especially after bathing or showering. The spaces between the toes can also be dried with a hair dryer on a low setting.
• Change towels: To prevent athlete’s foot, towels and bath mats must be changed regularly.
• Circulation: Care stands for good circulation and warm feet. For example, alternating baths and showers stimulate blood circulation in the feet.
• Washing laundry: Wash towels, bath mats, socks and bed linen at temperatures above 60 degrees at least.
• Shoes: You should wear suitable and comfortable shoes made of a breathable material such as leather. If possible, you should also put on different shoes every day so that the individual pairs can dry well. In addition, it is important to ensure that sneakers are only worn for sports.
• Socks: To counteract athlete’s foot, it is best to choose socks made of natural materials such as cotton and change them daily.

Foot care prevents athlete’s foot

You should check your feet regularly. In this way, athlete’s foot on the toes, the spaces between the toes and the soles of the feet can be detected at an early stage. It is also ideal if you dedicate yourself to foot care at least once a week.

Measures against athlete’s foot

Treatment for athlete’s foot depends on the extent of the infection. In the early stages, it is usually sufficient if the affected skin areas are treated externally. For example, there are various powders, gels or creams against athlete’s foot. In an advanced stage – with fungal infestation on the soles of the feet, heels and nails – you should consult a doctor, as medication is then usually necessary.