You don’t have to be in Sports to have Athlete’s Foot - The Texas Foot Specialists
/Almost everyone is familiar with the foot condition called Athlete’s foot. This is a contagious infection caused by a fungus. Signs of this fungal infection include burning, itching, flaking and dry feet. The fungus tinea pedis is responsible for Athlete’s foot. It thrives in moist and dark areas.
Nine common places of infection:
- Gyms
- Shower floors
- Socks and shoes
- Public changing areas
- Common areas
- Bathrooms
- Locker rooms
- Public swimming pools
- Dormitory style houses
Consult a podiatrist for more information on proper foot care Dr. Gregory Mangum and Dr. Bruce Miller are Podiatrists who specialize in helping people with foot disorders.
How does the fungus spread?
- Direct contact with an infected person’s body part
- Sharing contaminated clothing
- Touching other objects or body parts that were exposed to the fungus
- Athlete’s foot is hard to treat considering the highly contagious nature of the fungus.
Most commonly affected parts of the fungus
- Hands
- Groin
- Scalp
- Feet
The feet is an ideal location for the fundus to spread and grow. The term Athlete’s foot is used because the fungus is commonly found in the area but this could easily spread to other parts of the body.
Some signs and symptoms of athlete’s foot
- Mild to moderate flaking
- Intense itching and burning
- Redness
- Cracking and bleeding skin
- Pain experience while walking or standing
- Formation of blisters
- Prevention and treatment
The best way to treat athlete’s foot is through prevention because of the recurring nature of the tinea fungus. There are a lot of helpful preventive measures that you can do to counter the fungus. Here are some of the preventive measures that you can do:
- Wear flip flops or sandals while you are in the locker rooms or public showers to minimize your contact with the floor.
- Keep your feet clean and dry. You can apply foot powders to help keep them dry.
- Allow your feet to breath. Expose them to light and cool air to prevent tinea growth.
If you already have athlete’s foot, use topical medicated, ointments, sprays and creams. These medications will help eliminate and prevent the fungus from coming back.
It has been said that almost 70% of the population had suffer from a tinea infection at least once in their lives. The Texas Foot Specialists located in Sugar Land, Pasadena and Houston, we specialize in helping people with foot disorders. To schedule an appointment call Sugar Land (281) 242-4448, Pasadena (281) 991-0600 and Houston (713) 664-6677.