Athlete's foot is an infection of the feet caused by fungus. The medical term is tinea pedis. Athlete's foot may last for a short or long time and may come back after treatment.
Alternative NamesTinea pedis; Fungal infection - feet; Tinea of the foot; Infection - fungal - feet; Ringworm - foot
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsThe body normally hosts a variety of microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi. Some of these are useful to the body. Others may, under certain conditions, multiply rapidly and cause infections. Athlete's foot occurs when a particular type of fungus grows and multiplies in your feet (especially between your toes) or, less commonly, your hands.
Of the fungal infections known as tinea infections, Athlete's foot is the most common. It may occur at the same time as other fungal skin infections such as ringworm or jock itch. These fungi thrive in warm, moist areas. Your risk for getting athlete's foot increases if you:
Athlete's foot is contagious, and can be passed through direct contact, or contact with items such as shoes, stockings, and shower or pool surfaces.
SymptomsThe most common symptom is cracked, flaking, peeling skin between the toes. The affected area is usually red and itchy. You may feel burning or stinging, and there may be blisters, oozing, or crusting. In addition to the toes, the symptoms can also occur on the heels, palms, and between the fingers.
If the fungus spreads to your nails, they can become discolored, thick, and even crumble.
See also: Fungal nail infection
Signs and testsThe diagnosis is based primarily on the appearance of your skin. If tests are performed, they may include:
Over-the-counter antifungal powders or creams can help control the infection. These generally contain miconazole, clotrimazole, or tolnaftate. Continue using the medicine for 1 - 2 weeks after the infection has cleared from your feet to prevent the infection from returning.
In addition:
Athlete's foot almost always responds well to self-care, although it may come back. To prevent future infections, follow the steps listed in Prevention.
Severe, ongoing infections that don't respond to 2 - 4 weeks of self-care, and frequently recurring athlete's foot, may require further treatment by your health care provider. Stronger, prescription antifungal medications may be needed. These include topical medicines, like ketoconazole or terbinafine, and pills. Antibiotics may be necessary to treat secondary bacterial infections that occur in addition to the fungus (for example, from scratching).
Expectations (prognosis)Athlete's foot infections range from mild to severe and may last a short or long time. They may persist or recur, but they generally respond well to treatment. Long-term medication and preventive measures may be needed.
ComplicationsCall your doctor right away if:
Also call your doctor if athlete's foot symptoms do not go away within one month of using self-care measures.
PreventionTo prevent athlete's foot, follow these measures:
Habif, TP. Clinical Dermatology. 4th ed. St. Louis: Mosby; 2004.
Long SS, Pickering LK, Prober CG, eds. Principles and Practice of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Elsevier, 2003.
Athlete's foot is an infection of the feet caused by fungus. The medical term is tinea pedis. Athlete's foot may last for a short or long time and may come back after treatment.
Alternative NamesTinea pedis; Fungal infection - feet; Tinea of the foot; Infection - fungal - feet; Ringworm - foot
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsAthlete's foot occurs when a certain fungus grows on your skin in your feet. In addition to the toes, it may also occur on the heels, palms, and between the fingers.
Athlete's foot is the most common type of tinea fungal infections. The fungus thrives in warm, moist areas. Your risk for getting athlete's foot increases if you:
Athlete's foot is contagious, and can be passed through direct contact, or contact with items such as shoes, stockings, and shower or pool surfaces.
SymptomsThe most common symptom is cracked, flaking, peeling skin between the toes or side of the foot. Other symptoms can include:
If the fungus spreads to your nails, they can become discolored, thick, and even crumble.
Athlete's foot may occur at the same time as other fungal skin infections such as ringworm or jock itch.
See also: Fungal nail infection
Signs and testsYour health care provider can diagnose Athlete's foot simply by looking at your skin. If tests are needed, they may include:
Over-the-counter antifungal powders or creams can help control the infection. These generally contain miconazole, clotrimazole, or tolnaftate. Keep using the medicine for 1 - 2 weeks after the infection has cleared to prevent the infection from returning.
In addition:
Athlete's foot almost always responds well to self-care, although it may come back.
If athlete's foot does not get better in 2-4 weeks with self-care, or frequently returns, see your health care provider. The health care provider may prescribe stronger antifungal medications, such as ketoconazole or terbinafine. Antibiotics may be necessary to treat bacterial infections that occur from scratching.
Expectations (prognosis)Athlete's foot infections range from mild to severe and may last a short or long time. They may persist or recur, but they generally respond well to treatment. Long-term medication and preventive measures may be needed.
ComplicationsCall your doctor right away if:
Also call your doctor if athlete's foot symptoms do not go away within 2- 4 weeks of self-care treatments.
PreventionTo prevent athlete's foot, follow these measures:
Habif TP, ed. Clinical Dermatology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2009.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 05/13/2011
Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Associate, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
this is called athletes foot because the first person to get it was an athlete:0...
No, it's a fungal infection that can be caught by anyone - not just athletes.
Fungus growing between toes that is red and itchy. Caused by not completely drying feet and doing things like walking barefoot in locker rooms and wearing shoes without socks
Affects of athletes foot can be itchyness, which causes you to scratch it. you can take a certain cream to heal it and allow your feet to breathe.
No. Athlete's foot is a fungal condition that causes, in extreme cases, oozing out of fluids. But swelling of the feet would have another cause. Best check with your doctor.
athletes foot
Serious athletes feet.
Athletes Foot.
Fungi
IT COULD BE ATHLETES FOOT
A fungus (ringworm).
Becuase people don't pay enough attention to clean feet, and that's when you don't clean your feet often, and that's when you get athletes foot.
Athletes foot dude!
Not unless you have it on your head.
No. But you won't have germs on them.