In order to know if you have athlete's foot, you'll want to know how to spot the symptoms. Athlete's foot can be warm to the touch, swollen, and red. The infected area may be painful and may be accompanied by pus or drainage. Symptoms may persist for two to four weeks, so you should see a doctor if you're not seeing results with self-care treatment. Athletes' foot can be caused by other types of fungus called ringworm or superficial mycoses, so you should know how to recognize the signs.
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Treatment options
There are several treatment options available for athlete's foot. The symptoms of athletes' foot can include red and painful skin, blisters, and swelling. Sometimes the infection is accompanied by drainage and pus. The toenails may become crumbly or white. Treatment may be necessary to prevent infection from returning. Oftentimes, athlete's foot does not clear up on its own within two to four weeks. If left untreated, it can become contagious.
Most people can treat athlete's foot with over-the-counter products, although some complications require prescription-only medications. Prescription-only treatments for athlete's foot include oral itraconazole, terbinafine, and antibiotics. However, doctors must first assess the severity of the infection to determine the best treatment option for a patient. Patients with an extensive fungal infection, recurrent infections, or resistance to common antifungal medications should seek medical advice.
Some people opt to treat athlete's foot at the first signs of itchiness. Some people can use over-the-counter antifungal products that can be applied directly to the affected area. Some of these medications may include ciclopirox (Loprox), clotrimazole (Lotrimin), ketoconazole (Nizoral), or terbinafine. Other treatments include oral antifungal creams or sprays.
Over-the-counter products are available and effective in curing athlete's foot. Most of these products contain hydrocortisone, but you should use them for no more than seven days. Antifungals usually take longer to work. In addition to over-the-counter medications, a pharmacist can recommend OTC products that will relieve your symptoms. However, you should read the label carefully before applying them to your feet. Some products are intended for people older than 2 years old, while others are intended for children.
Depending on the location and severity of your athlete's foot, a doctor can perform a microscopic examination. This test helps to confirm a diagnosis and determine if a fungal infection is the cause of the symptoms. If this is the case, a doctor may also conduct a skin culture or a biopsy. If your symptoms persist, you may need to undergo more extensive testing to get an accurate diagnosis.
Diagnosis
There are two main types of athlete's foot. The most common form is the toe web infection, which affects the skin between the fourth and fifth toe. The skin on the bottom of the foot may be red and warm to the touch. In the severe form, the foot may be swollen, with pus and drainage, and even be inflamed. In addition to the toes, athlete's foot may also affect the toenails, causing them to thicken and fall off.
In some cases, a physician can make a diagnosis simply by looking at the skin and talking with you about the symptoms. If you suspect you have athlete's foot, the doctor may conduct a KOH test, which involves scraping a small piece of skin from your affected area and dipping it in a solution containing potassium hydroxide. The presence of fungi in the scraped skin may be revealed through this test.
Diagnosis of athlete's foot is important for effective treatment. If left untreated, this fungus can spread to other areas of the body, including the groin and hands. Furthermore, this fungal infection can spread to the hands if you scratch the infected foot or use the same towel. Another type of athlete's foot, known as jock itch, is easily spread from one person to another, so it's important to see a healthcare provider to get a proper diagnosis.
A doctor can diagnose athlete's foot by looking at the symptoms and asking you questions. Depending on the severity of the infection, a doctor may take a small scrape of the infected skin and examine it under a microscope. If the symptoms do not clear up by themselves, the doctor may prescribe an antifungal medication. If a doctor suspects an underlying bacterial infection, he or she may also prescribe an antibiotic.
The most common way to identify athlete's foot is by comparing your symptoms to those of the disease. The appearance of athlete's foot may look similar to that of a wart, but it is a different type of infection. However, it is important to see a doctor because it may be difficult to distinguish between the two. An athlete's foot diagnosis is important for ensuring that the infection is not a life-threatening one.
Prevention
Fortunately, there are several ways to prevent athlete's foot. The most obvious way is to keep your feet dry and clean. To prevent the spread of the infection, always wear clean, dry socks and shoes. Avoid sharing personal items with others, such as towels and underwear. Use antifungal powder on your feet and alternate socks and shoes each day to minimize the risk of developing athlete's foot. It is also important to wear sandals when going to public places, as tight shoes squeeze your feet and do not allow moisture to evaporate. Also, wear shoes made of natural materials, such as cotton, and avoid wearing shoes with plastic-lined soles.
You can also prevent athlete's foot by wearing rubber shoes. Athlete's foot is highly contagious, so wear rubber shoes to avoid spreading the infection. If you can't avoid wearing rubber shoes, consider wearing Crocs or water shoes that have open holes. Athlete's foot is closely related to ringworm, and they share a common source of transmission. A few simple habits will go a long way in preventing athlete's foot.
Shower shoes can help you avoid developing athlete's foot. If you must walk barefoot, wear shower shoes, as sandals and flip-flops can harbor fungal spores. Always wear clean shoes when showering, and remember to disinfect your home shower after every use. If you have to use public restrooms, use shower shoes to prevent getting athlete's foot. When in doubt, consult a medical professional.
Athlete's foot can also affect your toenails. If left untreated, athlete's foot may lead to a thick, whitish nail. Moreover, the infection can cause pain under the nail. Untreated athlete's foot can even spread to the lymphatic system, which can result in a painful, swollen foot. Athlete's foot can also spread to other parts of the body, including the feet.
The most effective prevention of athlete's foot is to wash your feet daily with antibacterial soap. Using a towel designed to absorb sweat is another effective way to prevent athlete's foot. Changing socks after exercising can help, too. As mentioned, athletes' foot fungus thrives in moisture and sweat. Even a tiny bit of sweat can cause athlete's foot to spread. Therefore, natural fabrics are better for feet. They also help keep your feet cool and dry during the hot summer months.
Signs
Athletes foot is a common and contagious fungal infection of the feet. It typically occurs between the toes and on the plantar part of the foot. The symptoms of athlete's foot include scaly, red, or split skin. In severe cases, you may also experience blisters and painful itching. To prevent this infection, you should not walk barefoot and avoid shoes that are made of synthetic materials. Your dermatologist can prescribe an antibiotic if these signs persist or you feel that you might have athlete's foot.
Athlete's foot signs include red, scaly, and warm to the touch. It may also have pain, pus, or drainage. In some cases, athlete's foot is complicated by a fever or chronic leg swelling. Using self-care treatments may help you manage your condition. Athlete's foot can lead to a secondary infection, such as ringworm or a superficial mycosis. To find out if athlete's foot is the underlying problem, visit your dermatologist or check your family doctor.
The most common type of athlete's foot is moccasin-type. The skin in this area thickens and cracks. In addition to the skin, your toenails may become infected, break off, or fall out altogether. In addition, a vesicular-type athlete's foot typically affects the bottom of the feet and features bumps and fluid-filled blisters. Athlete's foot signs should never be ignored.
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should consult a dermatologist immediately. Depending on the severity of your case, you may have a secondary bacterial infection that affects the toenails. If left untreated, athlete's foot can spread to other areas of the body, including the lymphatic system. Toenails may become yellow and thick and can break off, exposing the underlying layers of skin. Athlete's foot may lead to the development of psoriasis or eczema.
In severe cases, athlete's foot symptoms may include skin lesions on one or both feet. Men may also develop a hand rash called tinea manuum. Whenever possible, you should wash your hands thoroughly after touching the infected areas. It is important to treat all affected areas to prevent reinfection. For instance, if you have a rash on one foot and ringworm on the groin, you should get a second opinion from your doctor.
Sources:
https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/tc/athletes-foot-topic-overview
http://www.aafp.org/afpsort.xml?option=com_content&task=view&id=5277&Itemid=70
http://www.uptodate.com/contents/search.do?search=athlete%27s+foot&submitSearch=Go&sourceOption=null&collection=null
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/athletes-foot/basics/definition/