Causes Of Athlete's Foot And Treatment Of Athlete's Foot

Athlete's foot is a skin disease caused by a fungus, usually occurring between the toes.

The fungus most commonly attacks the feet because shoes create a warm, dark, and humid environment which encourages fungus growth.

The warmth and dampness of areas around swimming pools, showers, and locker rooms are also breeding grounds for fungi. Because the infection was common among athletes who used these facilities frequently, the term "athlete's foot" became popular.

Causes of Athletes Foot

Statistics show that almost 70 to 80 percent of the worlds population has experienced athletes foot at one point of their lives. This is because it can easily be acquired by direct contact with the things or person who has been infected with the fungi.

Aside from having direct contact to the person or the object that has been infected, athletes foot can also be transmitted through contact with pets that carry it the fungus on their furs.

Symptoms of Athletes Foot

If you are one of those people who experiences sweaty feet or one of those who cannot avoid going to public areas, then now is the time to discover what are the symptoms of athletes foot before the condition gets worse.

Experts say that since athletes foot is divided into three types that include chronic interdigital athletes foot, chronic scaly athletes foot or the moccasin type and the acute vesicular athletes foot, symptoms may vary. People who suffer from chronic interdigital athletes foot experience heavy scaling, fissures, and maceration usually in the 4th and 5th toe webs while the moccasin type is characterized by the presence of dry, silvery, and very fine scaly skin on the sole. The acute vesicular, on the other hand, shows abrupt onset of painful blisters that can spread to different areas of the body such as arms, chest, and sides of the fingers.

With athlete's foot, often the very first thing that you will notice is the unending itch and burn of your feet. You might find that in between your toes simply feels like it is on fire. You might even find that the soles of your feet won't stop itching and burning. Not surprising. These are hallmarks of athlete's foot symptoms. The burning, the itching, the cracking, the peeling, oh just curse the fungal invasion that causes it all.

Treatment of Athlete's Foot

Fungus thrives in a moist warm environment keeping the feet dry and cool can cure the infection. It is recommended to wear open sandals, or even better barefoot as much as possible. It is important to keep your feet clean and dry. Wear clean absorbent socks made of natural fibers, such as cotton, and change them during the day. Spray your shoes with a disinfectant and set them in out in the sun to help kill germs and Don't share towels or footwear. Many medications are available including miconazole and clotrimazole.

The athletes foot fungus will probably clear up much faster than the nail infection because the skin infection is superficial and the treatment easily contacts the fungus there. To get rid of both types of foot fungus, however, you will have to keep up the treatment until the nails look good as well. Nail fungal infections are notorious for the length of time they take to resolve. If your athlete foot fungus is gone and there is any sign of improvement in the nails, the treatment is working and you're fixing the problem. Keep it up and you will eventually succeed. Here is an athlete foot picture.