Tinea Pedis - tinea pedis treatment, picture, symptom, vesicular tinea pedis

Synonym and related keywords: tinea pedis, athlete foot, athlet's foot

What is Tinea Pedis ?

Tinea pedis and Athlet's Foot are two different names for one skin infection. Tinea pedis is a very common skin condition - many people will develop it at least once in their lives. It is more frequent among teenage and adult males, but may occur in women and in children under the age of 12. Athlete's foot can be easily treated, but may recur in susceptible individuals. Tinea of the feet is an extremely common acute or chronic dermatosis. Certain individuals appear to be more susceptible than others. Most infections are caused by trichophyton species.

Athlete's foot, or tinea pedis, is a fungal infection, tiny plant-like "germs," that can grow and multiply on human skin, especially the feet. It grows best in a dark, moist, and warm environment. A foot inside a shoe is the perfect place for the fungus. The same fungus may also cause "jock itch" in the groin.

What causes Tinea pedis / Athlete foot?

Tinea pedis or Athlete's foot is contagious and may be caught by walking barefoot in the locker room. However, it is not known exactly who is at risk for getting athlete's foot. Sweaty feet, tight shoes/socks, not drying one's feet well after swimming, bathing, or exercising all contribute to the development of athlete's foot.

Tinea pedis / Athlete foot Symptom, Appearance and risk factors -

Tinea pedis may not always have the same appearance. In some people, the skin between the toes (especially the last two toes) peels, cracks, and scales. The presenting symptom may be itching, burning, or stinging. Pain may indicate secondary infection with complicating cellulitis. Interdigital tinea pedis is the most common cause of leg cellulitis in healthy individuals. Tinea pedis has several presentations that vary with the location (see photograph). On the sole and heel, tinea may appear as chronic noninflammatory scaling, occasionally with thickening and cracking of the epidermis. This may extend over the sides of the feet in a "moccasin" distribution. The KOH preparation is usually positive. Tinea pedis often appears as a scaling or fissuring of the toe webs, perhaps with sodden maceration. As the web spaces become more macerated, the KOH preparation and fungal culture are less often positive because bacterial species begin to dominate. Finally, there may also be grouped vesicles distributed anywhere on the soles or palms, generalized exfoliation of the skin of the soles, or nail involvement in the form of discoloration and thickening and crumbling of the nail plate.

Some common Athlete foot symptom includes - redness, scaling, and even dryness on the soles and along the sides of the feet. Athletes foot may also produce itching and burning of the feet. A few individuals may develop a single small patch of intensely itchy blisters. These skin changes can also be caused by other medical conditions like contact dermatitis and psoriasis.

Tinea pedis (Athlete's foot)

Fungal infections of the toenails can also occur and be difficult to treat. Toenail infections cause scaling, crumbling, thickening, and even partial loss of the nails. These changes can also result from other conditions such as psoriasis, injury, and aging.

Because all rashes on the feet are not Tinea pedis (athlete's foot), using over-the-counter antifungal preparations on a rash that is not athlete's foot may make your condition worse. You should see a dermatologist if over-the-counter medications do not clear the condition or if it becomes worse. Your dermatologist can correctly diagnose the condition and prescribe an effective medication. Untreated, Tinea pedis / athlete's foot can result in blisters and cracks that may lead to secondary bacterial infections.

How is Tinea pedis diagnosed?

Your dermatologist will examine your feet thoroughly. This examination may include a scraping of the scaly area from the skin on your feet. The skin scales are then examined under a microscope to look for the tiny fungi or placed in a test tube to look for growth of the fungus. For many individuals, tinea pedis is a chronic affliction, temporarily cleared by therapy only to recur.

Treatments: Tinea pedis or Athlete's Foot Treatment

Once the fungus is diagnosed, treatment can begin immediately. For simple cases of Tinea pedis, anti-fungal creams are effective and can relieve symptoms such as burning and itching fairly quickly. In more severe cases of Tinea pedis, or if your infection is resistant to usual treatment, antifungal pills may be prescribed. Toenail infections may be difficult to treat and require several months of an oral antifungal medicine. It's important to continue the use of your prescribed antifungal creams and to take all the oral medications properly. While your skin may look better, the infection can remain active for some time and could get worse again if you stop your treatment before completion.

What is the best way to prevent Tinea pedis?

The essential factor in prevention is personal hygiene. Wear open-toed sandals if possible. Use of rubber or wooden sandals in community showers and bathing places is often recommended, though the effectiveness of this practice has not been studied. Careful drying between the toes after showering is essential. A hair dryer used on low setting may be used. Socks should be changed frequently, and absorbent nonsynthetic socks are preferred. Apply dusting and drying powders as necessary. The use of powders containing antifungal agents (eg, Zeasorb-AF) or chronic use of antifungal creams may prevent recurrences of tinea pedis.You can help prevent Tinea pedis or athlete's foot by following some simple rules:

Wash your feet daily.
Dry your feet thoroughly, especially between your toes, after bathing.
Avoid tight footwear, especially in the summer. Sandals and "flip-flops" are the best warm weather footwear.
Wear cotton or synthetic running socks which absorb sweat and change the socks daily or more frequently if they become damp.
Dust an antifungal powder on your feet and into your shoes.

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