English: Vesicular Athlete’s Foot (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
That burning, itching in your foot isn’t something to be ignored. Athlete’s foot is not only uncomfortable, but can get much worse if left untreated. The good news is you may not have to seek medical attention from your doctor in order to cure this infection. However, it’s important that you understand the infection so that you can treat it effectively.
What Is Athlete’s Foot?
Athlete’s foot is a common fungal infection that is often encountered in public environments where shoes are removed, such as swimming pools and locker room showers. The fungus grows in warm, moist areas and often survives quite well between the toes. Symptoms of the infection include itching, redness of the skin, scaliness, and cracked or blistered skin.
Can I Treat It at Home?
Yes. There are a number of topical treatments available over the counter. These anti-fungal medications will need to be applied for several weeks, twice a day to kill the infection. While applying a topical treatment, you should also work towards preventing future infections. In the case of athlete’s foot, prevention really is the best medicine.
How Can I Prevent Future Infections?
The first step is to always wear rubber sole sandals when visiting the pool or locker room. This will help prevent you from stepping in puddles of water that may carry the infection. You should also wear cotton socks and change socks whenever your feet get sweaty, such as after a run. Lastly, wash your feet when they become sweaty and keep them dry by using powder. This will keep your feet from becoming a welcome mat for the bacteria.
When Do I Need to See the Doctor?
If the topical medication and prevention steps don’t help your infection, you may need to see a doctor for an oral anti-fungal medication. There are a number on the market and many have few side effects. Your doctor will discuss which medication is best for you and your budget. Because these medications do interact with other medications, you cannot purchase these medications over the counter.
Athlete’s foot is a common condition, but that doesn’t make it any less irritating. The itching, burning sensation can be hard to ignore, but there are topical anti-fungal medications that can be purchased in any pharmacy. By combining the mediation with prevention techniques, you can usually treat the condition at home. However, if the infection doesn’t clear up, you need to see your doctor for an oral anti-fungal prescription. These medications have few side effects and are usually very affordable.
About the Author: Jesse McFarland is a health and wellness advocate who enjoys researching different health conditions, especially those that aren’t as well understood as they could be. He likes to spend his time reading medical journals, browsing the Candida forum, and reading about new medical treatments.
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