Itchy Feet. Could it be Athlete’s Foot?

Athlete’s Foot

What is it?

Athlete’s foot is caused by a micro-fungus which infects the skin. The skin can become itchy, red and sore or white soggy and cracked in between the toes. It can spread to the nails, causing a fungal nail infection which can be very hard to treat.

I’m no athlete! How did I get it?

The term Athlete’s foot probably came about because of its association with sweaty feet and communal changing areas, common factors in many sports! In fact anyone can get it as it is an opportunistic infection, waiting for a breach in the skin’s defences to attack. This may indeed be caused by sweaty feet or generally poor foot hygiene where the skin breaks down, allowing the infection in.

It itches like hell! What can I do?

Don’t scratch it! Scratching the area can make the skin more sore and can cause a wound, increasing the possibility of a secondary bacterial infection. Applying a suitable anti-fungal medication will soon make the itching go away.

Is it infectious? Can I pass it on to my family?

Athletes Foot is infectious, so it is probably best not to share towels, shoes and socks while it is active, just in case.

How can I get rid of it?

Fortunately, the Athlete’s Foot fungus is very vulnerable to modern anti-fungal medications and a short course of medication applied to the skin usually fixes it. It is important to practice good foot hygiene however to stop it recurring. Take these simple steps every day to prevent it coming back.

• Dry carefully between your toes after a shower or bath
• Wash your socks at the highest possible temperature
• Allow your shoes to dry out after wearing for at least 24 hours
• If you have dry cracked skin, apply a foot moisturising cream containing urea to help the skin stay flexible and intact.

How can we help?

If your Athletes’ Foot is not going away you need our help. At Active we can help by confirming diagnosis of Athletes’ foot using in clinic testing, followed by prescription of the correct anti-fungal medication with advice on ongoing foot hygiene to ensure it goes away and stays away!