<H1>Athletes Foot

Athletes foot is a contagious fungal infection of the skin, that occurs on the feet. Despite the name anyone can get it, not just athletes, and there are ways to prevent it.1

<H2>What is athlete’s foot?

Athlete’s foot belongs to a cluster of fungal skin conditions known as tinea that include ringworm, jock itch, and onychomycosis (nail infection):2a, 3a

Ringworm of the scalp, as the name suggests, occurs on the head and is known as tinea capitis

Ringworm of the body occurs on the body and is known as tinea corporis Jock itch occurs on the groin and is known as tinea cruris Nail infection is tinea of the toenails or finger nails and is known as tinea unguium Athlete’s foot is tinea of the foot and is known as tinea pedis3b

<H2>What causes athlete’s foot?

Athlete’s foot is caused by a type of fungus or dermatophyte (tinea), which needs keratin (found in hair, nails and skin) to grow.4 The tinea fungus breeds in warm moist environments and affects the top layer of skin.5a Usually starting between the toes and spreading to the soles of the feet it can spread elsewhere if you touch the infected area and then touch another part of your body. 2b

<H2>Who is at risk?

Athlete’s foot is a common skin condition with some risk factors such as:

Allergies and/or eczema Feet that sweat a lot A weak immune system – from serious illness or long-term use of medication that

could weaken your immune system Circulation problems in your legs – common in people with diabetes or narrowed

blood vessels Barefoot use of public showers and locker rooms at the gym7a

You can get athlete’s foot through:

direct contact with someone who has it by touching surfaces, floors particularly but also other surfaces that are

contaminated with the fungus sharing socks, shoes or towels with an infected person.5b

<H2>Signs and symptoms

The signs and symptoms of athlete’s foot vary from person to person. You may have some or only one of the typical symptoms such as:

Itching, stinging and burning between your toes or on the soles (underside) of your feet

Scaling, peeling or cracked skin, usually between your toes and on the sides or soles of your feet

Redness on the soles of your feet Inflammation or swelling

Blisters which may lead to cracking or peeling skin on your feet and toes – when blisters burst, small raw skin is exposed, which may also cause swelling 5c, 6b

The fungus that causes athlete’s foot thrives in damp environments such as communal showers, locker room floors, gym change room floors, and around swimming pools. So, people who play a lot of sport and regularly go to gym are more likely to get infected. This is why the term ‘athlete’s foot’ is commonly used to describe tinea pedis.6a

<H2>Diagnosis and treatment

While usually mild, without treatment, in rare cases athlete’s foot can lead to serious bacterial infections. In most cases over-the-counter antifungal creams will usually clear up the infection. But for more serious infections you may need to see a doctor, dermatologist or podiatrist (foot doctor) for a thorough diagnosis and prescription medication.8a

He or she may be able to diagnose the affected area by looking at it and discussing your symptoms. They may also scrape off a small area of infected skin to test for the fungus that causes athlete’s foot.5d, 8b

You should always see a doctor if your athlete’s foot does not improve after self-treatment, if you have diabetes and suspect that you may have athlete’s foot, or if you notice any signs of a possible secondary bacterial infection. Signs may include excessive redness, swelling or fever.9

<H2>Prevention or stopping it from spreading

To reduce your risk or, if you already have it, to prevent it from spreading:

Keep your feet clean, dry and cool Dry your feet thoroughly after swimming or showering, especially between your toes

Not all fungal conditions of the foot are athlete’s foot. Other conditions such as eczema and psoriasis may mimic (present with similar signs and symptoms) as athlete’s foot.6c

Do not wear shoes that are too tight so that your feet cannot breathe If you exercise or play sport regularly wear trainers that are well ventilated Wear clean socks made from breathable fibres such as cotton or wool, or wear socks

made from synthetic fibres that are specially designed to wick away moisture (draws moisture away from your skin)

Try not to wear the same shoes every day Take your shoes off as often as possible but, Do not walk barefoot in public areas – wear flip flops in locker rooms, gyms and

public showers Wash your socks, linen and towels in hot water that is 140F (60C) Use an antifungal cream, spray or gel 2c, 5e, 7b, 10

<H2>How Canex T can help to treat athlete’s foot

Canex T is an antifungal cream that works by stopping the fungus that causes the athlete’s foot infection from growing. Packaged in an easy to use cream format, simply apply thinly to the affected area and the skin that surrounds it. Generally, treatment is about 3 to 4 weeks and an additional 2 weeks after symptoms have disappeared to prevent relapse. Always wash your hands before and after application. Talk to your doctor if your condition persists after 4 weeks of treatment or worsens at any stage.

Please note: This is educational information only and should not be used for diagnosis. For more information on athlete’s foot, consult your healthcare professional.

<H4>References

1. American Academy of Dermatology. Athlete’s Foot: How to prevent it. Available at: https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/contagious-skin-diseases/athlete-s-foot-how-to-prevent. Accessed 18 April 2019.

2. Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. Athlete’s Foot. Available at: https://www.hopkinsallchildrens.org/Patients-Families/Health-Library/HealthDocNew/Athlete-s-Foot?id=2102. Accessed 18 April 2019.

3. Better Health Channel. Tinea. Available at: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/tinea. Accessed 18 April 2019.

4. Encyclopedia Britannica. Athlete’s Foot. Available at: https://www.britannica.com/science/athletes-foot. Accessed 18 April 2019.

5. Healthline. Athlete’s Foot (Tinea Pedis). Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/athletes-foot. Accessed 18 April

6. American Podiatric medical Association. Athlete’s Foot. Available at: https://www.apma.org/Patients/FootHealth.cfm?ItemNumber=978. Accessed 18 April 2019.

7. National Center for Biotechnical Information. Athlete’s foot: Overview. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279549/. Accessed 18 April 2019.

8. Medline Plus. Fungal Culture Test. Available at: https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/fungal-culture-test/. Accessed 18 April 2019.

9. Mayo Clinic. Athlete’s Foot. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/athletes-foot/symptoms-causes/syc-20353841. Accessed 18 April 2019.

10. Medline Plus. Athlete’s Foot. Available at: https://medlineplus.gov/athletesfoot.html. Accessed 18 April 2019.