The Complete Athlete's Foot Treatment Page!

Oh my itching, burning feet!

What Causes Athlete's Foot?

Athlete's foot, tinea pedis, is a skin condition caused by a fungus called Trichophyton. These dermatophyte fungii live on dead skin, nails and hair. The same organisms cause jock itch, athlete's foot, yeast infections and ringworm. Athlete's foot typically occurs between the toes, but the fungus can spread to other areas of the body. Symptoms include itching, burning, pain and scaling.

The Good News

Fungal infections are not generally life-threatening except in persons with compromised immune systems. Diabetics should immediately seek medical care if they develop athlete foot. As many as 70% of the population will have an athlete foot infection at one time or another.

Risk Factors

Athlete's foot is more likely to develop on feet that sweat more than normal, or that are kept in warm, moist condition for extended periods of time.

Home Care

The first step is to keep the feet as dry as possible, by wearing leather shoes and cotton socks and using a medicated drying powder. The second step is to use cream-type medications to kill the athlete's foot fungus. The active ingredient in these creams is generally miconazole or clotrimazole. Continue treatment for the full time recommended by the package or your doctor.

When to Call a Doctor

If you are HIV positive or have diabetes, consult your doctor regarding athlete's foot and other fungal diseases. If you experience redness, bleeding or swelling, or if the athlete's foot does not clear up, talk with your health care provider.

Preventing Future Outbreaks

• Dry the feet thoroughly after bathing, especially the area between the toes.

• Avoid sharing towels.

• Wear cotton socks to absorb moisture.

• If your feet sweat excessively, apply a drying powder to them regularly.