Athlete’s Foot Treatment

Athlete’s Foot (or Tinea pedis) is so called because it tends to affect people with damp or sweaty feet, such as athletes, although actually anyone can get this infection. The condition is characterised by itching between the toes, which is sometimes accompanied by soreness. It’s very easy to diagnose and treat, usually with a topical cream, and the condition goes away successfully.

What Causes Athlete’s Foot?

Fungus lives all over the body and naturally occurs on the skin. Sometimes lifestyle factors cause this fungus to grow out of control and cause issues such as Athlete’s Foot. The dark, warm and moist conditions of the feet are ideal for tinea to grow and thrive. There are some common situations which may make the condition more likely:

• Activities that mean the feet are in the same shoes for long periods, becoming hot and sweaty
• Wearing thick socks during winter that make the feet very warm
• Sweaty feet in shoes during the summer

There also has to be a way for the fungus to enter and infect the area. So if the skin is dry or broken, the tinea can penetrate into the skin. The condition is also contagious so even if you’ve got great foot care routines, you can catch it from other people who are already have the infection through:

• Direct contact with an infected person
• Touching surfaces, clothing or material (such as towels, socks shoes) that have been contaminated

Athlete’s Foot Symptoms

It is usually very easy to confirm a diagnosis of Athlete’s Foot from a visual assessment of the feet. The condition is characterised by a number of symptoms, the most common being itching between the toes. Other symptoms may also be present such as:

• Little red dots on the toes and feet
• Blisters that are itchy
• Dry, flaky, peeling or cracking skin
• Pimples or cysts on the toes and feet

How To Treat Athlete’s Foot

The treatment for Athlete’s Foot is usually very simple. If used consistently, a 2-3 week topical application, twice a day of an OTC anti-fungal cream will resolve the condition. Anti-fungal medications are also available in gels, sprays and powders.

It might be necessary to try different products as each of them have slightly different active ingredients. If, after the treatment, the condition has not resolved, it may be necessary to try another brand. Usually we recommend persisting for at least two weeks, twice a day and follow the directions on the packet.

The effectiveness and duration to clear up the tinea can depend on how severe the infection was. If the condition is extremely stubborn it can take up to 45 days to treat. In extreme cases where there is no success with topical creams, the patient has had the condition for a long time, or there’s a secondary fungal nail infection, a patient will require medication.

How Podiatrists Can Help Treat Athlete’s Foot

If an over the counter cream hasn’t worked, you’re not sure if you’ve got Athlete’s Foot or you’re experiencing issues other than mild itching, the next step is to book an appointment to get some expert advice from a Podiatrist. We can make an accurate diagnosis of the condition, advise on a course of treatment and provide guidance on how to prevent re-infections.

We’ll ask questions about lifestyle and footwear in order to create a holistic treatment plan so that patients can continue with their routines whilst making modifications or taking extra precautions such as:

• Wearing thongs in public spaces rather than going barefoot to protect the feet from infection 
• Changing shoes and/or socks more regularly or once they become moist
• Cleaning shoes regularly if they are worn repeatedly
• Always wearing good quality, breathable, cotton socks with shoes
• Wearing shoes with a breathable material to help keep the inside of the shoe dry
• Dry the feet and particularly the areas between the toes properly before putting on shoes and socks
• Using powder to keep the feet dry

Because fungus loves warm and moist conditions, it is important to keep your feet dry and your shoes well aired. Permanent changes to foot care regimes are usually required to ensure the infection does not recur.