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What Causes Athlete’s Foot?
Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection caused by dermatophytes, a parasite that lives on the skin and feeds on dead skin cells. All of us have dermatophytes, which are generally harmless. However, because dermatophytes love warm, moist places, you can break out with athlete’s foot if you wear tight-fitting shoes that create moisture between your toes, if you wear damp socks, if you don’t dry your feet properly, and/or if you use towels or shoes of someone infected with athlete’s foot. Of course, we all know you can also pick up athlete’s foot from flooring such as the showers at the club, but don’t forget the carpeting in hotel rooms! Even luxury hotels can harbor athlete’s foot in the carpeting; so don’t go barefoot in hotel rooms.
How Do You Know If You Have Athlete’s Foot?
A red, itchy rash, particularly between the toes, is usually a sign of athlete’s foot. It sometimes is both red and scaling, and may be weepy as well. The itch can be tremendous. You can also have athlete’s foot on the soles of your feet. It doesn’t look the same as when it’s between the toes - the skin reddens but instead of an itchy rash it more commonly looks like furrows with chalky lines, though it can eventually look almost like eczema.
How Do We Treat Athlete’s Foot?
Dr. Schwedelson or Dr. De Araujo will carefully evaluate your feet in our Boca Raton aesthetic center and make the best treatment recommendation based on the severity, extent and location of the infection. Sometimes all you need is a topical medication. If the infection has advanced, you might need oral medication as well. Although there are over-the-counter athlete’s foot creams, the prescription versions tend to work faster to eradicate the infection.
How To Avoid Athlete’s Foot:
Dry thoroughly after baths, showers or swimming.
Change socks if they are wet from running, a hot day, etc.
Avoid shoes made from synthetic materials. Sandals or leather shoes are preferred to avoid the moisture that can collect with shoes made from synthetic products.
Powder your feet and the inside of your shoes with antifungal powder if you suspect you may have early-onset athlete’s foot.
Be sure to wash feet daily and dry thoroughly before putting on your socks and shoes. Use a separate towel to dry your feet if you have athlete’s foot, to avoid spreading it.
Don’t share towels with anyone else.
Choose cotton or wool socks over acrylic or polyester blends.
How Do You Know If You Have Athlete’s Foot?