Have you been noticing that your feet are itchy and becoming red and flaky? Are you suffering from Tinea Pedis? Read on to find out if you are!
What is Tinea Pedis?
Tinea Pedis, often known as Athlete’s Foot is a common foot condition often experienced by young adults. Tinea Pedis is a fungal infection of the skin.
Which fungus is responsible?
- Trichophyton Rubrum
- T. Interdigitale
- Epidermophyton Floccosum
How do you get it?
People often contract this condition in swimming pools, gyms, communal bathrooms as fungi thrive in warm, humid and moist environments.
How does it present?
Depending on which organism has affected the skin, it can present in a variety of ways. Some of the common presentations are listed below
- Patchy, dry scaling on the sole of the foot
- Peeling, irritable skin between the toes
- Blisters or pustules on the sides of the feet or on the instep
- Round, dry patches
What else could it be?
If none of the signs and symptoms apply to you and you think it might be something else, come and visit one of your friendly podiatrists from Podiatry HQ and we can assess for you. You could have either psoriasis or dermatitis.
Treatment
There are various treatment options readily available for purchase. Majority of people respond very well to topical antifungal creams however if unresponsive, there are options for oral medication if skin scrapings come back positive for fungus. Addressing environmental factors is crucial in keeping those nasties at bay.
How can I prevent it?
- Spray your shoes with antibacterial spray
- Bleach shower
- Wear different socks everyday
- Alternate shoes to air out the material
- Wearing thongs in communal areas and to and from pool
