Athlete’s foot is a common infection and finding a cure for athlete’s foot that works for you isn’t always easy. It is caused by the fungus known as tinea pedis that infects the skin’s top layer. Fungus is an infection that can affect any area of the body including the groin area, feet and hands, the scalp and armpits. It mostly grows in moist places, hence in the groin area and between the toes are the most common areas where fungus is found.

Tinea pedis is a fungus of the ringworm class and you can become infected wherever there are damp conditions such as swimming pools and locker rooms. These are favorite places for it to wait for a nice warm foot that is ready to be infected! It will exist for some time in socks and can pass directly between people or through infected objects including the floor. A swimming pool is an ideal place for the athletes foot fungus to thrive as it is moist and warm and is a place where people walk around with bare feet.

What are the Symptoms of Athlete’s Foot?

Though a number of people may be affected and not have any symptoms most people will find that they have burning skin which may peel. For those who are severely infected there could be soreness, and the skin may bleed and crack. The typical place for symptoms to appear is underneath the foot where the skin may be red, very dry and peel. Dry flakes, itching and peeling could also occur between the toes and the peeling often spreads to the top of the feet. In very severe athlete’s foot there may perhaps be large blisters, in which case it is called bullous tinea pedis. There could also be red calluses or patches of very thick, red dry skin. The fungus could also spread to the hand, when it is called tinea manuum.

Athlete’s Foot Prevention

Some easy ways to prevent being infected by athlete’s foot include washing your feet daily, drying the feet well especially between the toes, wearing shoes in public places and changing your socks frequently.

Athlete’s Foot Remedies

Athlete’s foot medications include OTC creams and lotions, but with very severe infection you will need to see a dermatologist to give you stronger medicine. However treating most cases of athlete’s foot is fairly easy and you could use a natural treatment if the infection isn’t too serious. Many home remedies include using vinegar, household bleach, or Epsom salts. OTC treatments typically include antifungal treatments and can be bought as powders, sprays or creams but they are not always effective in particular if the fungus is beneath the nails.

Conclusion

Athlete’s foot medications are not always successful and it can take a long while to find an athlete’s foot therapy that works for you. For more helpful information visit Athlete’s Foot Remedies