Athlete’s foot refers to a widespread fungal infection affecting skin on the feet. Its medical name is tinea pedis, and it often develops between your toes, although it may equally reach the soles or the outer edges of the feet. If you are experiencing itchy feet between your toes, peeling or cracked skin, athlete’s foot could be the cause of these symptoms. If you are experiencing ongoing foot problems, a qualified professional offering podiatry and chiropody in York is your next step in receiving a proper diagnosis and treatment. Keep reading as we discover what causes athlete’s foot and the best treatment options for this condition.
What Is Athlete’s Foot?
Athlete’s foot describes a fungal infection of the skin. As fungi thrive in warm, damp environments, your feet are particularly susceptible to this condition. If you spend long days wearing socks and shoes, as runners and other athletes do, your chances of experiencing itchy feet between the toes increase. This infection is common and can be picked up through contact with infected skin or contaminated surfaces, including when using communal changing rooms, showers and swimming pool areas. Despite its name, you do not need to be an athlete to develop the condition. Anyone can require athlete’s foot treatment, particularly if your feet become sweaty or remain damp for extended periods of time.
Common Athlete’s Foot Symptoms
There are many symptoms that might lead you to seek treatment for athlete’s foot. Your symptoms may vary depending on which part of the foot is affected. One of the most common signs is itching and irritation between the toes. These are some athlete’s foot symptoms you might notice, all of which we recommend seeing a podiatrist in York for a proper diagnosis and treatment if they don’t go away in a short period of time:
- Itchy or burning skin, particularly between the toes
- White or softened skin where the toes meet
- Red, sore or inflamed areas
- Dry, flaky or peeling skin
- Cracks or splits in the skin
- Blisters
- A rash on the feet
Athlete’s foot can differ in appearance between people and across different skin tones. The skin may become quite sore if athlete’s foot won’t go away and you don’t seek treatment in a timely manner from a chiropodist in York.
What Causes Athlete’s Foot?
Athlete’s foot develops when fungi multiply on your skin. Warmth, moisture and poor ventilation can create the ideal conditions for the fungus to grow. You may be more likely to develop tinea pedis if you have sweaty feet, wear damp socks or shoes, or wear shoes for a long period of time. Other athlete’s foot causes include walking barefoot in communal showers or changing rooms and sharing towels, socks or footwear with other people. Once you have athlete’s foot, it can spread through scratching or contact with contaminated towels and other items.
Athlete’s Foot Treatment
If you notice any of the athlete’s foot symptoms we shared earlier and they don’t go away in a short time, it’s time to think about seeing a foot specialist in York. In mild cases, athlete’s foot treatment can begin with advice and antifungal medication from a pharmacist. Many antifungal products are available without a prescription, including creams, gels, and sprays. Common active ingredients to look for in these treatments include terbinafine, clotrimazole and ketoconazole, but a pharmacist can give you a personalised recommendation for your symptoms. Always follow the instructions you are given when using any type of medication for athlete’s foot.
When to See a Podiatrist
If symptoms do not improve as expected, speak to a pharmacist, GP or a podiatry and chiropody professional rather than continuing to self-treat for an extended period of time. Sometimes people find that athlete’s foot won’t go away despite using an antifungal product. When this happens, your GP or a professional foot specialist may examine the affected skin and take a small skin sample to confirm whether a fungal infection is present. If over-the-counter treatment has not worked, a GP may offer you a prescription treatment as a stronger solution to increase the chances of making a full recovery from athlete’s foot.
A podiatrist can be useful when symptoms are persistent, recurring or difficult to identify. They can assess the condition of the skin and provide advice on appropriate foot care, while also identifying other foot problems that could be contributing to your discomfort.
If you are experiencing any of the athlete’s foot symptoms we’ve shared above, the key is not to ignore persistent symptoms. If your symptoms won’t go away, getting the condition assessed by a podiatrist can support you in receiving a proper diagnosis and treatment. Contact us today to book an appointment with our team or to discuss any concerns you have about athlete’s foot.
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