Athlete’s Foot (Tinea Pedis)

Athlete’s foot is a common fungal skin infection. Foot rash treatment includes applying an antifungal cream. Also, it’s important to keep the affected area dry.

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Causes of this infection

Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection, usually on the skin of the feet. Warm and moist areas, such as between the toes, help fungi grow to cause an infection. In addition, people who sweat a lot or wear damp socks are prone to this infection. People who do not keep their feet dry are also more likely to get this infection as well. Athlete’s foot is infectious. It most often occurs near swimming pools or at communal baths. The infected skin is recognizable by the itching and redness of the affected area. If the infection is not treated, it can spread along the skin causing rashes and pain.

How to identify athlete’s foot

Generally, the skin between the toes is the first site of infection. It turns red and becomes itchy. A rash develops that makes it itchier more scaly. If left untreated, the skin develops cracks and becomes sore. The cracks in the skin between the toes can become painful. Tiny flakes of this infected skin fall off and infect other people who come in contact. Left untreated, the rash spreads to other parts of the body. The heels or soles are most affected by this, causing blisters and painful cracks. Sometimes, the infectious rash spreads to the entire sole and sides of the foot as well.

Is it a serious infection?

To start, the infection is very common and not very serious. For instance, one in four people get athlete’s foot once in their lifetime. Most people begin treatment of their itchy skin before it spreads. Sometimes, the infection spreads to the skin on other parts of the body like the groin. However, the fungi rarely spreads deep into the skin. But, chances of other germs may enter through the cracks in the skin of untreated athlete’s feet.
The infection sometimes spreads to the nail. Thus, it is easy to treat the infection. It takes several weeks of antifungal tablets and ointment to clear the infection. Hence, it is best to start treating athlete’s foot as soon as symptoms appear.

The best treatment for athlete’s foot

Foot rash treatment includes antifungal ointments. Antifungal ointments are available from pharmacies. A physician can prescribe it for foot rash treatment. Firstly, the ointment is applied topically. Thus, the ointment applied onto the affected area. Few types of antifungal ointments exist. Ointments such as Terbinafine, Clotrimazole, and Econazole, for example. Also, Ketoconazole and Miconazole are antifungal ointments as well. To add, they are available in many forms. For example, they can be cream base, sprays, liquids or powders. One can choose any of the five ointments mentioned above. To sum, these treatments heal fungal skin infections.

Typically, physician prescribe Clotrimazole, Econazole and Miconazole to children and sensitive skin types. Additionally, you can get undecenoic acid or tolnaftat over the counter too.

To conclude, individuals are to apply the ointment to the area for as long as the infection persists. Although the rash will vanish within 1-2 days, it is best to continue applying the ointment for 2 weeks after the rash has disappeared. Certainly, this helps to clear the fungi completely and prevent reoccurrence.

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