Athlete’s foot

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ...

• It is the manifestation of the foot infection by fungi of the dermatophyte family.
• It is so called because it is frequent in athletes who frequent showers or public swimming pools.
• It is often associated with "foot fungus."

Athlete's foot or tub of the feet is the manifestation of infection of the foot by mushrooms of the dermatophyte family.

Why do you get this name?

It is so called in a classic way because it is frequent in athletes who frequent showers or public swimming pools. However, it is not exclusive to these, so it can be suffered by anyone regardless of the practice of sports activities.

How does it manifest?

The most common form is the interdigital, which affects the spaces between the toes, in the form of scaling, maceration and itching. This is the manifestation that everyone usually associates with having "". However, there are dry or hyperkeratotic forms that appear as peeling all over the sole of the foot, with the appearance of dryness, and inflammatory forms in which inflammation, pustules (pimples of pus) and even ulcers can appear.

How can it be prevented?

To prevent athlete's foot, it is important to keep certain measures so as not to catch it, especially in places frequented by many people. This is the case of swimming pools, saunas, changing rooms or showers for public use. In principle, any surface can be contaminated by dermatophyte fungi in gyms or public sports centers, especially if they are wet or damp surfaces. In these places it is very important to always walk with your feet protected by flip flops and never do it barefoot. In any case, after bathing and showering, we must dry our feet very well, especially the spaces between the toes, even with the hair dryer, because by eliminating the humidity we reduce the possibility that the growth of fungi will take root in our skin. .

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How is it treated?

There are various drugs capable of eliminating fungi that infect the skin, antifungal drugs. Some can be applied topically, in the form of gels, ointments, solutions or powders, while others are taken orally in the form of pills. The choice of one or the other will depend on the type of infection and its severity, so the doctor must always prescribe the type of treatment. In this sense, it is important not to treat yourself or request a treatment directly from the pharmacist, because not all skin diseases in which peeling and itchy feet occur are caused by fungi. Also, some medications taken in pill form can damage the liver in certain circumstances. Always consult a specialist before taking any medication. They have a large medical staff of dermatology specialists.