Athlete's Foot

ATHLETE'S FOOT

An athlete’s foot is a skin infection that affects the feet and the toes and it is caused by a fungal infection. It may also occur between toe fingers. The skin becomes itchy and blisters appear which bring pain. The medical name for athlete's foot is Tinea pedis. People get Athlete’s foot when they walk barefoot on dumpy area, near swimming pools, or putting on wet or dump socks, shoes and even putting on a shoe that has been worn by a person having the infection.

EFFECTS

A person who has athlete’s foot disease mostly experiences skin irritation which in turn causes itching. It is not advisable for a person to scratch him/herself because doing so may worsen causing the disease to spread. In addition, a person may also have skin inflammation in which the skin produces rashes, becomes red and also it irritates and blisters may form.

According to Mayo clinic staff, the skin becomes dry on the bottom or at the side. The skin may also pill off.

TREATMENT

The athlete’s foot is treated using the antifungal medication such that the fungi causing the infection are killed. The medications are the form of powders, liquids, sprays and creams and are available in pharmacies. They should used as for as long as advised until the infection is done with.

Topical antifungal are prescribed if the case is severe, and they are put directly into the skin. In addition, pills may also be prescribed to persons with severe athlete’s foot and they are only used when the disease goes beyond limits. However, tests should be done periodically to avoid dangerous side effects on the patient.

The patient should also wash the feet regularly using soap and water and make sure the feet is dry. Towels used should be