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Tinea pedis of the feet is a fungal infection in the form of vesicles scattered over the skin of the feet. The infection is favored by heat and moisture. It may be asymptomatic for a long time, but then there is a sudden spreading of itchy blisters, most often on the instep and edge of the foot.
What is athlete’s foot?
It is an infectious disease that occurs as a result of infection with pathogenic fungi. Tinea mycosis very often has an asymptomatic course, only then itchy blisters appear, around which exudate forms. The lesions are usually located around the arch of the foot and sometimes affect the entire hands.
The development of the disease is favored by heat and humidity, and the treatment itself is based on taking topical or oral preparations. The disease can be prevented by appropriate preventive measures.
The causes of athlete’s foot
The etiology of the disease has its origins in pathogenic fungi, the most common dermatophytes on the skin:
- Trichophyton,
- yeast,
- molds.
It is said that lack of proper hygiene increases the risk of contracting the disease, which is a misconception. Mushroom multiplication and the development of mycosis are favored above all by a moist and warm environment. It should be noted that even excessive hygiene causes a greater risk of disease, because the stratum corneum is worn away. So you can get mycosis because of:
- use of towels or personal utensils of other people,
- walking barefoot in public places, e.g. a sauna, swimming pool or fitness club,
- attending beauty salons that do not comply with the rules of hygiene and disinfection of tools,
- measuring shoes on the bare foot in the store,
- wearing too tight footwear, which is conducive to injury and the spread of infection.
Not every pathogen will cause the disease to develop immediately. The human body has many defense mechanisms that fight against fungal infection. However, there are certain conditions / ailments that predispose some people to develop mycosis, e.g .:
- tumor,
- the presence of HIV,
- diabetes,
- Hypothyroidism,
- long-term antibiotic therapy,
- chronic intake of glucocorticosteroids.
In the case of mycosis, it is important to use appropriate cosmetics as soon as disturbing symptoms are noticed. Order today, for example:
- EPTA DEO sweat-regulating cleansing gel,
- EPTA DEO hyperhidrosis body cream,
- EPTA DEO body spray that eliminates excessive sweating and the unpleasant smell of sweat.
The cream and spray can be purchased on Medonet Market in a special EPTA DEO Hyperhidrosis Body Kit.
Mycosis of the feet – symptoms
The lesions are located on the sole in the area of the arch of the foot, sometimes also in the hands. The main lesion is the follicle.
After the initial asymptomatic course, there is a sudden spread of itchy blisters, mostly around the edge of the foot and the instep. The vesicles are cloudy or purulent, with a tendency to merge into larger ones, which then rupture and form erosions with peeling and erythema at the periphery (pedopompholyx).
- What does mycosis of the hands and nails look like?
Infections often involve the other foot and not infrequently the hands (cheiropompholyx). Sowings on the hands distant from the primary foci are considered allergic reactions, which are called trichophytides.
Mycosis of the feet may be accompanied by onychomycosis, which is characterized by numerous discoloration, thickening and brittleness of the nails. The lesions are usually located on the edge of the nail of the outer finger.
Diagnosis of athlete’s foot
Direct and culture mycological examination includes bladder covers, bladder fluid does not contain fungal threads. The mycological examination is based on collecting material from the lesions, which is then directly examined under a microscope. Tinea athlete’s foot should be differentiated from other ailments that may cause similar symptoms:
- pustular psoriasis of the hands and feet,
- skin sweat eczema.
- interdigital burn,
- callous eczema.
How to distinguish calluses from corns?
How to treat athlete’s foot?
The type of treating mycosis depends on several factors: accompanying symptoms, the severity of the disease and the extent of the lesions. Topical treatment may be implemented in the form of creams and ointments applied directly to the skin of the feet and containing antifungal drugs: miconzole, terbinafine, itraconazole. Other treatments are by taking oral medications and taking care of prophylaxis.
In the event that patients are accompanied by unbearable itching and inflammation, and the disease itself has spread to the nails, oral treatment with antifungal preparations should be initiated immediately. As an alternative, it is worth using Zabłockie brine soap for skin problems (dandruff, mycosis, eczema, psoriasis) available at a promotional price on the Medonet Market. Blue Cap Body Spray for Skin Inflammation will also help to alleviate the symptoms of ringworm.
Athlete’s foot can not be ignored because, like other mycoses, it likes to come back and spread to other parts of the body. That is why it is very important to quickly identify ailments and implement the appropriate type of treatment.
Ways to prevent foot athlete’s foot
Better to prevent than to cure. Therefore, below are preventive recommendations that reduce the risk of athlete’s foot.
1. Remember about personal hygiene. In the morning and in the evening, you should wash your feet and moisturize them. In this regard, we recommend the Zielone Laboratorium velvet foot cream with urea or the BIO Propolia BeeYes propolis cream for dry feet.
2. It is important to change socks and tights daily.
3. The socks we wear should be made of cotton. Avoid those made of artificial material, as they make your feet sweat more. Try Pressure-free cotton socks with aloe vera available at Medonet Market.
4. Prophylactically, you can take over-the-counter medications available at the pharmacy – antifungal and antibacterial preparations.
5. Wipe your feet only with your towel.
6. Avoid wearing too tight shoes.
7. Wash the socks at 60 degrees Celsius.
8. In the swimming pool, public shower, sauna or gym – wear shoes and avoid walking barefoot.
9. Do not borrow shoes from other people.
10. In the store, avoid measuring your shoes on the bare foot.
11. Do not use foreign personal instruments, eg pumice stone, nail scissors (buy yourself a Tadé Pays du Levant pumice stone to have your own tool for removing calluses).
12. After each washing, dry your feet thoroughly (be sure to use your own towel).
13. At home, you can use creams, nail polishes and deodorants for feet, which reduce their sweating and soothe itching and burning. For example, we recommend Dr Stopa FLOSLEK Refreshing Foot Deodorant available at a promotional price on Medonet Market.