This very common disorder affects all races and ethnic groups and has been around for centuries. It is estimated that 70% of the population will be affected with tinea pedis at sometime in their lives.

What is Tinea Pedis?
This common foot condition is caused by fungi called dermatophytes. This fungus is found both indoors and outdoors and is especially common in warm, moist environments of pools, showers, locker rooms and other sports facilities where people walk with bare feet. Once dermatophytes contaminate the skin of a foot the warm, moist environment of sweaty socks and shoes encourages them to grow. This skin disorder affects men more than women and more cases are found affect puberty.

What are the symptoms of Tinea Pedis?

Symptoms of athlete’s foot include the following:

• Intense itching of the feet

• Redness and scaling on the soles

• Cracked, blistered or peeling areas of skin, especially between the toes

The infection may extend to the toenails, causing the nail to appear unusually thick and cloudy yellow.

Individuals with diabetes mellitus are more prone to develop tinea pedis and should consult with their doctor as soon as they have any abnormal foot symptoms.

How do you get tinea pedis?
The condition is contagious. It can spread by direct skin-to-skin contact and indirectly through towels, shoes and floors. If a family member has tinea pedis then you are at an increased risk of contacting this fungal infection.

Treatment
Once a diagnosis is made your doctor usually begins treatment with antifungal medications applied to the feet. It usually takes several weeks to months for the infection to respond to treatment. In some individuals, with long-standing or recurring tinea pedis, topical antifungal drugs may only relieve symptoms without actually curing the infection. These individuals may require medications by mouth. There are more side effects with oral medications. Individuals with tinea pedis must be prepared to use their medications for several weeks and should follow their doctor’s instructions as much as possible.

How can you prevent tinea pedis?
You can help prevent tinea pedis by keeping your feet clean and dry. The following might prove helpful:

• Wash your feet thoroughly every day and wear a clean pair of socks after your bath or shower.

• Dry your feet thoroughly, including each toe, especially the webbed area between the toes.

• If you use public pools or showers, wear sandals to prevent your bare feet from touching floors contaminated with fungi.

• Try as to wear leather shoes rather than vinyl as leather shoes are more likely to stay dry.

• Wear cotton socks to help absorb sweat.
• Do not share shoes, a common practice among many women.

Conclusion
Tinea pedis also known as athlete’s foot is a very common skin disorder caused by a fungus. Several weeks of topic treatment usually result in a cure, but chronic or recurring athlete’s foot infections may require significant changes in foot care and oral anti-fungal medications for several weeks. Relapses are very common especially in individuals who do not take good care of their feet.

Ask Your Doctor is a health education column and is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. Dr. Brett Hodge is an obstetrician/gynaecologist and family doctor who has over twenty years in clinical practice. Dr. Hodge has a medical practice in the Johnson Building in The Valley.

| Printer-friendly page | Send this article to a friend |

World News