An athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that spreads quickly. It can extend from the foot to a few other parts of your body, including hands and toenails. Many at-home remedies can also help with your athlete’s foot, but the problem may require the assistance of an Orange County Podiatrist.
An athlete’s foot is a certain fungal infection of your feet that causes itchy and burning patches of your skin between your toes that may split or bleed.
Because untreated athlete’s feet can spread to your toenails, it is critical to get this disease addressed through podiatrist Irvine as quickly as possible. Athlete’s foot does not usually go away on their own but, home remedies and a few other treatments may be all that you need to get rid of the fungus.
Common reasons for athlete’s foot
A fungus causes athlete’s foot, which is contracted in dark, warm, and damp conditions. Other variables that contribute to athlete’s foot include:
- Wearing any damp socks
- Wearing too-tight shoes
- Not keeping your feet dry and also in between your toes after taking a shower
- Often walking barefoot around any public pool, shower, or any locker room
- Sharing bath mats, towels, or any other items with any person who already has got a fungal infection
Few athlete’s foot symptoms
Athlete’s foot usually starts between the toes and spreads to other regions of your body and feet. A scaly and red rash between your toes is one of the earliest indicators of infection. Athlete’s foot symptoms include the following:
- Burning and itching
- Dryness
- Blisters or ulcers
- Unpleasant odor for long
- Cracking skin
- Thickened skin
- Red rash between your toes
- Dry, peeling skin as part of your itchiness
- Discolored toenails that is a fungal infection sign
In case, the athlete’s foot is more severe, the following symptoms can be seen:
- Drainage
- Inflammation
- Fever
If you want to prevent the occurrence of athlete’s foot then you will have to take really very good care of the feet and must be well aware of your entire surroundings. A few suggestions are:
- Wash and also dry your feet, particularly after all your sports or athletic activities
- Wear sandals particularly when you are in any public pool, sauna bath, locker rooms, or showers
- Prefer to wear dry socks and also change your socks regularly if needed
- Use a certain anti-fungal foot powder that must be applied after bathing or showering
- Wear any light and well-ventilated footwear, you must be more careful with your leather footwear as such footwear tends to make your feet sweat
- Try to wear alternate shoes
- Allow your shoes to remain dry
Relieving your athlete’s foot symptoms
Over-the-counter treatments can help reduce the symptoms of Athlete’s foot, but they aren’t always as successful as commercials and advertisements claim. While drugstore antifungal products may help with small Athlete’s foot infections, however, they are not strong enough to deal with a serious illness.
A better option is to use topical treatments suggested by your foot doctor. The prescription-strength drug penetrates deep into the skin after being administered to your feet, eradicating the fungus that can cause Athlete’s foot. In most circumstances, the drug will need to be taken for several weeks.
Your podiatrist will prescribe an oral antifungal prescription if the topical medicine does not ease your symptoms. The medications may need to be taken for many weeks or even months.
When you must see the podiatrist for an athlete’s foot
If your symptoms don’t improve after 2 weeks of taking over-the-counter drugs, or if you have significant itching or discomfort, you should see your foot doctor. If you have any broken blisters that must have become infected, call straight away. Oozing blisters, pus-discolored skin, red streaks present on your feet or toes, warmth, and fever are all signs of a certain bacterial infection.
If you have diabetes, don’t attempt to treat your Athlete’s foot at your home because the disease increases your chances of getting a bacterial infection. Luckily, quick treatment from the Irvine Podiatrist can prevent a painful infection.
The ways to avoid any future athlete’s foot
Although topical or oral medications prescribed by the doctor can treat your present fungal infection, they cannot prevent future infections. Of course, you can lower your chances of getting Athlete’s foot again by doing the following:
- Wearing sandals while in public locker or shower rooms and also around swimming pools
- Use foot powder within your socks for decreasing moisture
- Change your shoes and socks mid-day in case your feet always tend to sweat
- Also, alternating shoes for giving sweaty shoes sufficient time to get dried out
- Washing bedding, towels, socks, and washcloths at 140°F water for killing the fungi
While certain cases of athlete’s foot will always be treated with over-the-counter medication, the best course of action is to consult your podiatrist, who can diagnose and treat your condition appropriately.
An oral or topical antifungal medication may be prescribed by your podiatrist. Antibiotics or a form of steroid for treating infections or inflammation. Athletes’ foot fungus may spread to their fingernails, hands, and groin in any case, therefore treatment is critical.
In case you have any form of foot pain, then you should see a podiatrist immediately. While this ailment may appear to be harmless, it is critical that you seek treatment. A podiatrist will help you with the therapy you require.
