Athlete’s Foot

Athlete’s foot also called tinea pedis is a very common fungal infection in sports people or in people whose feet have become very sweaty while confined within tight shoes. It begins between the toes and can spread in various ways for example by touching a contaminated surface like swimming pools and gyms or by skin to skin contact.

Symptoms of an athlete’s foot include a scaly red rash that usually causes itching right after you take off your shoes and socks, stinging, peeling and burning. This situation is not serious but it does require specific attention and care since it is a disease that is transmitted by direct contact with fungi, it is necessary to prevent them from spreading since if it is not treated properly it can spread very easily. It could affect one or both feet and in some cases the hands if proper hygiene is not carried out after scratching or touching the feet.

Hygiene

The majority of cases can be cured with antifungal creams, sprays, and good hygiene such as washing and drying your feet every morning and evening, changing socks or stockings daily, don’t wear the same shoes day after day this will allow them to dry completely before wearing them again. The initial treatment consists of topical antifungals (clotrimazole, miconazole, or tolnaftate). Proceed with the treatment for two to four weeks after the infection has cleared to prevent it from recurring. However, if the infection does not improve the specialists recommend going to the health center so that the doctor can assess the pathology and establish the most appropriate treatment.

Some different ways to prevent athlete’s feet are by washing your feet daily with soap and water, keeping your feet dry (especially between the toes), wearing clean cotton socks and changing them as many times as necessary to keep your feet dry, alternate pairs of shoes, protect your feet in public places (in swimming pools or public showers it is essential to wear flip flops), don’t share shoes and powder them with an anti-fungal foot powder, shoes must be well ventilated and made of a natural material such as leather, allowing perspiration.

The three types of athlete’s foot:

• Interdigital – It is the most common type and usually occurs between the smallest fingers. Also, it can cause burning, itching and spread to the sole of the foot.
• Moccasin – This type of athlete’s foot can start out as a minor irritation, dryness, or itchiness. However, as it develops, the skin can crack.
• Vesicular – This type is not very common and generally begins with blisters under the skin.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of an athlete’s foot is usually obvious and is based on evaluating the symptoms and observing the affected area. If the diagnosis is unclear, a skin scraping may be done and examined under a microscope.

Common Misconceptions

Myth 1: Only athletes can get an athlete’s foot. You don’t need to be a professional athlete to get this foot infection. Athlete’s foot got its name because the fungus that causes it likes to hang out in places athletes frequent like showers and locker rooms. Yet anyone who’s exposed to that fungus can get infected.

Myth 2: Showering regularly can prevent an athlete’s foot. Showering is actually one of the ways you can get an athlete’s foot. Stepping into a locker room or pool shower with bare feet can make you pick up the infection. No matter how carefully you wash between your toes, keeping your feet clean and dry can help prevent this fungus from returning.

Myth 3: Only people with poor hygiene get athlete’s foot. Athlete’s foot has nothing to do with cleanliness. You can get athlete’s foot especially if you don’t dry your feet completely after each washing.

Myth 4: If you don’t have peeling skin between your toes, it’s not an athlete’s foot. Athlete’s foot can look different in each person. Some people do get peeling or cracking skin between their toes. .

How do I take care of my feet between pedicures?

Normally it’s really easy to take care of your feet and more if you follow some simple steps. The standard time between pedicures is 3 to 4 weeks and during this period of time you can do small things that can relax and help your feet to feel so much better. As you know hygiene is a fundamental part of taking care of yourself and by washing your feet daily with some neutral soap and some water it’s more than enough to have some clean feet.

Another way you can take care of your feet is by hydration, it is recommended that after your pedicure appointment you keep your feet soft and hydrated. Using a file can help a lot with the dead skin and the result is better if it is plastic, not metal, since the metal cuts and scratches your skin, leaving it even drier and rougher. After you finish taking a shower is the best time to apply a cream since the pores of your skin are open due to the temperature of the hot water, this will be able to absorb the moisturizers much better. You can use a foot cream like Flexitol, this special cream will penetrate the tough skin on your feet and make them feel soft and smooth. By using the perfect shoe you can prevent any kind of discomfort. And, what is the perfect shoe? Well, make sure your shoe doesn’t have any rough points and that they fit correctly, you should have enough depth so that your toes don’t rub the tops and stand up with the shoes on to make sure you have a half inch (about the width of your finger) between your longest toe and the front of the shoe.

A good diet is essential for healthy skin and nails. Drinking 2 liters of water daily is really important, as is eating some cabbages, broccoli, cauliflower, eggs, nuts and legumes. These sources of beta-carotene and vitamin C are essential for producing collagen.

Just in case your nails grow too fast and start to bother before your next appointment, we can only file the front part of your nails to reduce the growth a bit without touching the sides.