Athlete’s foot is a very common problem affecting runners from the recreational to the professional level and everywhere in between. Athlete’s foot, otherwise known as Tinea pedis, is a fungal infection that typically presents between your toes and on the bottoms of your feet. The symptoms of athlete’s foot include itching, scaling, dryness, and redness of the skin; sometimes the skin between your toes can appear white due to maceration or excess moisture. Tinea pedis on the bottom of the foot is characterized by a moccasin distribution. The key features of this pattern include scaling and flaking of the skin, which is often mistaken for dry skin. A skin and nail podiatrist can accurately diagnose athlete’s foot and distinguish it from other skin conditions that require different treatments.
The causes of athlete’s foot are very similar to toenail fungus since some of the same infecting organisms can potentially cause both of these infections. The dark, wet, warm, enclosed areas within your sneakers offer a perfect breeding environment for the fungus to thrive. There is high correlation among individuals who develop toenail fungus and athlete’s foot. Because these infections often occur together, patients dealing with recurrent skin infections may also require the treatment of stubborn toenail fungus as part of a comprehensive fungal care plan. Because these infections are closely related, advances in care—such as situations where laser treatment more effective than traditional nail fungus treatments is considered—have increased awareness of how persistent fungal infections should be managed.
Prevention & Treatment:
In order to prevent against athlete’s foot, do not walk barefoot in public places. This includes but is not limited to public locker rooms, showers, and around swimming pools. Athletes at the high school and collegiate level are at increased susceptibility to developing Tinea pedis because of communal locker rooms and showers. After extensive workouts, if your running sneakers are moist, make sure you adequately air them out to help prevent fungal growth. Choosing what makes a good shoe for your heels is also important, as footwear with proper support and ventilation helps reduce moisture buildup that contributes to fungal infections. Consider using a Sterishoe, an ultraviolet light treatment that eliminates fungus organisms that have colonized shoes (available at Alpine Foot & Ankle Clinic). Change socks frequently and do not re-wear them; also, use socks that breathe well and have wicking properties.
Over the counter topical creams might work and could be a good place to start when attempting to treat your athlete’s foot. One of the most common anti-fungal creams is called Clotrimazole (Lotrimin). If these don’t solve your problem, call us so we can help you. In more severe cases, an oral anti-fungal may be necessary.