Athlete's Foot

Athlete’s foot is an infection of the foot caused by fungi called dermatophytes which invade the "dead" outer layers of the skin. It is also called tinea pedis.

Athlete's foot, or tinea pedis, is a common, generally harmless foot infection caused by fungi that thrive in warm, moist, and dark environments. The condition was fairly uncommon before human beings started wearing shoes.

This fungus requires a warm and moist environment. Wearing poorly ventilated shoes and socks that harbor perspiration provide an ideal breeding ground for the germs that quickly multiply to cause athlete's foot. Contact with surfaces (shower, swimming pool and locker-room floors) that harbor the organism also contributes to development of this problem. It may also be transmitted by wearing the shoes of someone who has athlete’s foot.

Typical symptoms include scaling and peeling in the toe webs (the area between the toes) generally without any accompanying pain, odor, or itching. The infection may also involve the soles of the feet where athlete's foot may present as redness, blistering, and scaling along the sides and soles of the feet, taking on what is termed a moccasin pattern.

Over time, this condition can lead to a secondary bacterial infection. It’s possible for the fungus to set off a reaction that results in tissue breakdown — soggy skin and eroded areas between the toes. In advanced cases, the toe webs become whitened, softened, and soggy; they may itch severely, and there may be a foul odor. As the condition worsens, painful cracking in the toe webs and some oozing may develop.

Athletes foot can sometimes be associated with onychomycosis, a fungal infection of the toenails. However, the usual case of athlete's foot is a more superficial infection than the more stubborn and deep seated nail infection.

Sometimes after an episode of athlete's foot, if particles enter the bloodstream, there may be an allergic reaction causing blisters on the fingers, toes or hands.

If you have diabetes or an illness that makes it harder for your body to fight off infections, athlete’s foot can become a very serious infection in itself or facilitate secondary infections with other serious organisms. You should see a doctor immediately if your feet develop severe redness or swelling, areas of pus, and/or severe pain.