|
Pathology => Human Diseases => Athlete's Foot
Athlete's Foot
Athlete's Foot, also called tinea pedis or ringworm of the foot, a contagious fungal infection occurring most often between the toes and on the soles of the feet. A condition that tends to recur, athlete's foot is caused by several kinds of fungi that thrive in warm, damp places, such as the floors of showers, swimming pools, and gymnasiums. The fungi most likely to cause athlete's foot include several species of the genus Trichophyton and Epidermophyton floccosum.
The symptoms of athlete's foot are reddened, cracked, and peeling skin, accompanied by itching or burning and stinging sensations. In severe cases the skin may thicken, like a callus, and begin to scale. Bacteria may thrive as a secondary infection in athlete's foot, which worsens the symptoms of the disorder and makes it more difficult to cure. Sometimes the fungal infection spreads to the toenails, which become thick and distorted.
Athlete's foot is best prevented by keeping the feet dry and cool, especially during warm weather, which encourages fungal growth. It is also wise, when visiting a public pool or gymnasium, to rinse the feet in the sodium hypochlorite solutions or other fungicides that are sometimes provided.
Mild cases of athlete's foot are improved by keeping the feet dry and using foot powder-especially between the toes-and changing socks frequently. Antifungal medications such as griseofulvin, miconazole nitrate, and tolnaftate are commonly used to cure the infection. In extremely severe cases, radiation treatment using x rays or ultraviolet radiation may be required to destroy the fungi.
Back
|
