Athlete's foot, also called tinea pedis, is a fungal infection of the feet. Most people want to avoid athlete's foot because it is uncomfortable and unsightly. Left untreated, the Trichophyton and Epidermophyton organisms which cause it can spread to other parts of the body. The infection can be persistent and very difficult to treat, but with a rigorous regimen, you can eradicate it. It is very important to seek treatment for athlete's foot, because it will only get worse if it is ignored. It is even better to avoid athlete's foot altogether.
In order to avoid athlete's foot more effectively, it helps to know the symptoms. The symptoms of athlete's foot include redness, itching, burning, sores, and flaky, scaling skin. It is especially common between the toes, but the entire foot can become involved if the infection is allowed to fester. In order to treat athlete's foot, patients take a two pronged approach. The first step is to make the environment of the foot hostile for the fungus, by keeping the feet clean and dry, and the second is the use of a fungicide to kill the fungus. Keeping feet healthy is also a good way to avoid athlete's foot infection in the first place.
By keeping the feet clean and dry, you can avoid athlete's foot infection rather effectively. Socks made from cotton and other materials which will wick moisture away from the foot should be worn, along with shoes made from leather and similar breathable materials. People who sweat a great deal may want to consider changing socks more than once a day to avoid athlete's foot, and using a foot powder to reduce perspiration. Shoes or sandals should also be worn in common areas, especially moist ones where the fungus will thrive.
Many people actually carry the fungus on their feet all the time, but do not develop an infection because they keep their feet clean and dry. Although the name suggests otherwise, the infection can happen to anyone, not just athletes, although people who frequent areas like pools and gyms may be more likely to pick up the fungus and have moist, warm feet for the fungus to grow on. If athlete's foot is detected, take steps to eradicate it quickly. It can lead to increasing discomfort on the part of the foot's owner. Ultimately, the nails of the foot will also become infected, and they may fall off.
To avoid athlete's foot reinfection, there are also a few steps which can be taken. It is possible to reinfect yourself with the fungus, or to spread it to other areas of the body. On other body parts, it is more commonly known as ringworm. The bedding of anyone with athlete's foot should be washed frequently, and floors that their feet come in contact with should also be washed. Shoes worn by the patient should be aired out completely before being worn again, and the use of an enzymatic cleaner or fungicide may help to ensure that the fungus is entirely gone. Socks should be washed and completely dried all the time to avoid athlete's foot, but especially in the case of an active infection.