Athlete’s Foot (Tinea Pedis)
Athlete’s foot is a highly contagious fungal skin infection that thrives in warm, damp environments, causing intense itching, scaling, and cracked skin, most commonly between the toes.
Overview
What is it?
Athlete’s foot, medically known as Tinea Pedis, is a fungal infection of the skin on the feet. It is caused by dermatophytes—the same type of fungus that causes ringworm and jock itch. It typically starts between the toes but can spread to the soles of the feet (moccasin type) and toenails if left untreated.
How common is it?
It is incredibly common, affecting roughly 15-25% of the population at any given time. It is highly contagious and spreads easily in communal areas where people walk barefoot, such as swimming pools, changing rooms, and shared showers.
Symptoms & Causes
What are the symptoms?
The classic presentation is a red, scaly, cracked rash between the toes (especially the fourth and fifth toes). The skin may appear white, soggy, and peeling. It can also present as dryness and scaling on the soles of the feet, which is often mistaken for simple dry skin.
What does it feel like?
The most defining symptom is intense itching, which is often worse immediately after taking off your shoes and socks. It can also cause stinging or burning sensations. In more severe cases, painful blisters or deep cracks (fissures) may form, which can bleed.
What causes it?
The fungus thrives in warm, dark, and humid environments.
- Damp Footwear: Wearing damp socks or tight, non-breathable shoes for long periods creates the perfect breeding ground.
- Communal Areas: Walking barefoot in public showers, locker rooms, or around swimming pools.
- Cross-infection: Spreading it from your own fungal nail infection to the skin, or vice versa.
Some health conditions can include:
- Diabetes or Poor Circulation: These conditions can make you more susceptible to infection and, crucially, make severe complications (like secondary bacterial infections from cracks in the skin) more likely.
- Immunocompromise: A weakened immune system makes it harder to fight off the fungus.
How is it Diagnosed?
While often self-diagnosed, many patients come to Foot Factor because over-the-counter treatments have failed, or the condition has been misidentified.
What tests are used to diagnose it?
- Clinical Inspection: In most cases, we can diagnose it purely by its characteristic appearance during a physical exam.
- Skin Scrapings: If the diagnosis is uncertain (it can sometimes look like eczema or psoriasis), we may gently scrape a small sample of skin scales to send to a laboratory for microscopy and culture to definitively identify the exact fungus responsible.
Foot Factor provides Expert Podiatry Treatment Tailored to You.
At Foot Factor, our podiatrists specialise in diagnosing and treating foot pain with precision and expertise. With advanced gait analysis, bespoke orthotics, and sports-focused podiatry care, we don’t just identify the problem—we provide a targeted solution to get you back to moving pain-free. Book a consultation today and take the first step toward lasting relief.
How is it Treated?
While mild cases often respond to pharmacy creams, persistent athlete’s foot requires professional advice to break the cycle of reinfection.
- Topical Antifungals: We can recommend or prescribe stronger, more effective antifungal creams, sprays, or powders than those typically found in supermarkets.
- Treating the Environment: It is vital to treat not just your feet, but your footwear too. We advise on antifungal shoe sprays and washing socks at higher temperatures (60°C) to kill spores.
- Moisture Control: Advice on changing socks daily (or twice daily if active), thoroughly drying between the toes after washing, and perhaps using surgical spirit to dry out soggy interdigital areas.
- Oral Medication: For severe, widespread, or highly resistant infections, we may refer you to your GP for a course of oral antifungal tablets.
Our Bespoke Orthotics give you the Right Support for Long-Term Relief.
At Foot Factor, our podiatrists specialise in diagnosing and treating foot pain with precision and expertise. With advanced gait analysis, bespoke orthotics, and sports-focused podiatry care, we don’t just identify the problem—we provide a targeted solution to get you back to moving pain-free. Book a consultation today and take the first step toward lasting relief.
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