Tinea Pedis
Tinea Pedis Tinea Pedis (most commonly known as athlete’s foot) is a fungal infection caused by dermatophytes. The most common dermatophyte that causes Tinea Pedis is called Trichophyton rubrum. (5) It may last for a long or short period of time; it can even come back after it has been treated. Tinea pedis is the most common fungal infection. (1) Studies show that 15% of the people in industrial countries are affected by tinea pedis. (3) There are various symptoms of tinea pedis; it depends on the severity. Symptoms may include intense itching of the feet, cracked, blusterous or peeling (skin mainly between the toes), or red, rashly swollen soles of the feet. One of the main signs that an athlete is infected with tinea pedis is the webbed skin between the toes. It may also spread to one or more of the toenails. The nail will appear very thick and a dark, cloudy yellow color.
Fig. 1. This is an example of a tinea pedis infection. The foot is cracked, red, and swollen foot. (1) Tinea pedis can be spread many of different ways. One way that it spreads is human to human. Direct contact with a person who is infected may spread the fungal infection. If an athlete touches the skin of an infected person’s skin the fungus can be transmitted. Another way is from an object to a human. For instance, tight shoes that has little or no air circulation causes the toes to squeeze together. This creates moist, warm places between the athlete’s toes. As a result, the fungus filled shoes comes into contact with a person giving them the tinea pedis infection. Wet socks can also carry athlete’s foot. Walking without shoes in public places such as swimming areas, locker rooms, saunas, or showers may spread foot fungus. There are several different ways to prevent and treat tinea pedis. Simple things such as wearing shower shoes and spending a little extra time drying the feet can prevent infection. An athlete can put some anti-fungal powder into their socks and shoes to
Fig. 1. This is an example of a tinea pedis infection. The foot is cracked, red, and swollen foot. (1) Tinea pedis can be spread many of different ways. One way that it spreads is human to human. Direct contact with a person who is infected may spread the fungal infection. If an athlete touches the skin of an infected person’s skin the fungus can be transmitted. Another way is from an object to a human. For instance, tight shoes that has little or no air circulation causes the toes to squeeze together. This creates moist, warm places between the athlete’s toes. As a result, the fungus filled shoes comes into contact with a person giving them the tinea pedis infection. Wet socks can also carry athlete’s foot. Walking without shoes in public places such as swimming areas, locker rooms, saunas, or showers may spread foot fungus. There are several different ways to prevent and treat tinea pedis. Simple things such as wearing shower shoes and spending a little extra time drying the feet can prevent infection. An athlete can put some anti-fungal powder into their socks and shoes to
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