Treatment Options for Athlete’s Foot

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Foot img for Athlete's Foot post

A parent may feel shocked when they learn that their child has athlete’s foot. However, while the athlete’s foot, also known as tinea, may be temporarily annoying, athlete’s foot is a lot more common than most people think, and it is often very easy to treat. Once it is treated, simple preventative measures such as wearing cotton socks, wearing breathable shoes, and using some form of footwear in a public shower can help prevent its recurrence.

What Is Athlete’s Foot?

Athlete’s foot is the result of a fungus that can be found on floors, in clothing, in school showers, and in school gyms. It is easily transmitted when a person’s foot comes into contact with a surface that has been contaminated with the fungus.

Once the fungus comes into contact with the foot, it begins to affect the skin that is in between the toes. The result is a scaly, itchy irruption that might on occasion be weepy and present oozing. There are rare occasions where athlete’s foot is caused by something other than a fungal infection. But this can only be identified by a medical professional using proper testing techniques.

While the official name for the fungus that causes athlete’s foot is tinea pedis, it has been called by a wide variety of names. It has been called jungle rot because it often affects members of the Armed Forces who are serving in tropical areas.

Athlete’s foot requires warmth and moisture to grow. Without this, the fungus will not survive and will not be transmitted to others. It’s estimate is that around the world about 70 percent of the population will have athlete’s foot at one time or another.

Some people seem to be more susceptible to athlete’s foot, while others have developed a strong resistance towards it. Being infected with athlete’s foot fungi does not create resistance to further infections.

Treatment of Athlete’s Foot

Tinea treatment is a two-part process. The first part focuses on making the foot less susceptible for the athlete’s foot fungus to grow on. This means keeping feet dry and clean. Additionally, shoes that breathe and cotton socks that draw water away from the feet can help to prevent athlete’s foot growth. Additionally, drying solutions made of aluminum acetate, a soaking solution made of white vinegar and water, and powders can be used to help keep the feet dry.

The second part of the treatment includes the use of anti-fungal creams that include miconazole and econazole nitrate. These topical treatments can be found at brick-and-mortar pharmacies or can be ordered online at places like Chemmart for example.

More resistant cases of athlete’s foot may require oral medication. However, before prescribing these medications, a doctor may recommend their patient undergo a blood test to make sure they are not dealing with any liver diseases that could interact poorly with oral athlete’s foot treatments, such as terbinafine.

Parents who noticed that one of their children have athlete’s foot want to take steps to prevent cross contamination in the home. This would include encouraging the child to avoid walking barefoot throughout the home and also cleaning hard floor surfaces with disinfectants or bleach.

Athlete’s foot can be annoying. However, it is something that can easily be treated or completely avoided.

18 Comments

  1. never had atheletes foot but great tips

  2. Definitely appreciate these points. My daughter gets this often and we’re always struggling to get it under control.

  3. Is it gross that I know way too much about Athletes’ Foot? It was always a problem at the college gym. I am pretty sure with my son’s swim lessons at the public pool, we might need to talk about symptoms.

  4. It’s very unpleasant and hard to deal with but often can’t be avoided. Your tips are great and should be suficient to get rid of the nasty infection.

  5. Very informative. We haven’t had to deal with Athlete’s Foot at our house, thank goodness – just a lot of stinky feet after gymnastics and track practice, lol! I never knew the problem was so easily treated, though.

  6. My friend has athletes foot, I need to let him read this post.

  7. I remember my brother suffered horribly from Athlete’s Foot when he was younger. His skin would be so wrecked up that he would cry a lot from the pain. I’m not sure exactly what my mom would do for him, but I bet this would have helped him a lot.

  8. I’m filling this in the things I hope I don’t have to deal with, but will now what to do if it happens category. Also in that category is lice!

  9. I never had athlete’s foot, but I have had my fair share of foot woes, so I can easily understand how annoying this condition can be.

  10. I have never had or known anyone who had athlete’s foot. Good tips to know, just in case!

  11. I never have had Athlete’s foot. However lotrimin cream that you use to treat it works wonders on diaper rash!

  12. Luckily I don’t have athletes feet but these are some great tips for those that do.

  13. A very informative post- thank you!

  14. Very imformative imformation thanks u

  15. I am an athlete and have ringworm on my left foot. This is disturbing me a lot but now I have started using antifungal soap. I hope it will work.

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