If an Athlete's foot is untreated, there is a risk that the infection will spread from toe to toe. A rash can also develop on the sides and the bottom of the feet. In rare cases, if untreated Athlete's foot can spread to other body parts such as hands. It is, therefore, essential to treat Athlete's foot as soon as signs appear.
You get Athlete's foot due to fungal contamination, and it most commonly forms between the toes. You are likely to suffer from this condition when you wear tight moist shoes; the moisture can be from your feet sweat. The common symptoms for the condition is a scaly rash that results in a stinging, scratching, and burning sensation. There are different factors that cause Athlete's foot, but the most common occurrence of this condition is constant friction between your toes. Despite what some information out there, Athlete's foot form the soles of your feet; you'd think it's self-explanatory from its name.
An average person will take about 4,000 every day; extensively this is more than a million strides annually. It is easy to take a mental note of the pressure we put on our feet. Looking after your feet will go a long way in fending off skin abrasions such as corns and Athlete's foot; this will keep you healthy.
How Do I Know I have an Athlete's Foot?
What is an Athlete's foot and What are the Symptoms?
An Athlete's foot is a skin surface that has turned out to be toughened and thick due to constant rubbing, irritation, or pressure. This condition regularly develops on the soles of your feet, that doesn't mean they can't develop on your elbows, hands, and knees. Don't be shocked to see an Athlete's foot condition on the hands and knuckles region, especially for someone who does a lot of manual labor.
Hyperkeratosis is due to Constant Friction of the Skin Surface
The constant physical impact on the skin aggravates the epidermis layer, which accelerates the formation of thick dead cells in an effort to protect the tissues below the surface. Experts refer to this biological reaction as hyperkeratosis.
Where does Athlete’s Foot Develop?
The physical appearance of Athlete's foot is either pale or yellowish color, and they are bumpy when you try to feel them with the back of your palm. In comparison to other lesions like corns, Athlete's foot is bigger in size and wider; it also has irregular borders. They mostly develop where your skin surface is in contact with another surface such as shoes and is in continuous rubbing. The condition normally occurs on the bony part beneath your toes because this part handles most of the pressure from walking, standing, or even sitting.
Who Suffers More from Athlete’s Foot?
What Causes Athlete's foot?
Even though you may develop corns, calluses, and Athlete's foot from bad walking posture, the number one cause of these skin abrasions is wearing tiny shoes and improper socks. It's interesting to know that women are four times more susceptible to Athlete's foot in comparison to men, and the reason is due to high heels. High heels apply more pressure on the bony part beneath the toes. Other reasons you may suffer from foot abrasion is as a result of ill-fitting footwear, disregarding socks when you're putting on sandals, and this leads to uncomfortable rubbing on your feet.
Visit a Doctor When Athlete’s Foot Develops Without Friction
Pressure and friction may result in either Athlete's foot or delicate corns. In case you or an infant builds up an Athlete's foot condition that forms without any friction or pressure then you need to visit a dermatologist because it may be a wart or because of a bacteria caught underneath the skin. Most of the time, our feet are enclosed and within a moist environment, which is ideal for bacterial growth. Staph contamination will likely start when microscopic organisms enter calluses and corns through skin cracks and result in fluid emission from the contaminated wound.
External and Internal Factors Causing Athlete’s Foot
How Do I Get Athlete’s Foot?
Factors from exterior environment (outside the human body), that may lead to corns, calluses and Athlete's foot from constant rubbing and physical pressure are:
- Physical work
- Wearing light socks and shoes that don't fit well which applies pressure on your toes
- Walking barefoot
- Exercises such as athletics where there is constant rubbing between your skin surfaces especially on the hands and feet.
- Activities that force constant motion of certain parts of your body like formation of Athlete's foot due to playing stringed instruments.
Interior variables- factors within the body) that will likely lead to the advancement of corns and Athlete's foot:
- Structure deformations or bony protrusions, such as hammertoes and bunions
- calluses, Corns and Athlete's foot formation at the base of the foot, large toe, and balls of your feet are no doubt because of bad foot structure.
- Defective foot work for example overpronation
- Plantar verruca, damaged sweat glands and scars
- Constantly wearing open shoes like sandals and flip-flops lead to formation of an Athlete's foot next to the heel similar to a horseshoe.
Diagnosis of Foot Athlete's foot
Athlete's foot Symptoms
The symptoms of corns and Athlete's foot may look like other skin complications. Never forget to visit a skin specialist for a proper diagnosis of your condition.
Factors that cause Athlete’s Foot
Corns and Athlete's foot are because of constant excess weight or rubbing on a specific part of the foot such as the balls. Variables include footwear that don't fit well, feet disfigurements or poor walking styles that incline the foot to extra friction and pressure. For example, in case you have either a low-angled foot or a flat foot, there will be progressive pressure on the inner section of the foot as you're walking, this state may lead to the development of foot callus, corn or Athlete's foot on the inward part of your heel. It doesn't mean that once you suffer from Athlete's foot then the condition will result in pain; statistics show that a lot of individuals suffer from this skin abrasion. The degree of pain of Athlete's foot varies from one person to the other.
Signs and Symptoms of Athlete's Foot
How To Know I have Athlete’s Foot?
Athlete's foots have emerge as toughened and thick due to friction. Individuals can commonly carry out DIY treatment at home using pharmaceutical drugs, however when the condition is severe you should definitely visit a doctor. Athlete's foots and corns can make you sense as if you're taking walks on stones. These signs and symptoms or signs underneath might also imply that there is an Athlete's foot or corn:
- a thick and tough location of pores and skin surface
- a raised, tough lump
- pores and skin that is scaly and dry or waxy and scaly
- tenderness or pain beneath the skin
In case an Athlete's foot or corn seems to be very painful or swollen, you ought to go to a doctor immediately. People with delicate skin surface, poor circulation, or complications within their nerves and numbness in the feet ought to consult a dermatologist as soon as possible than treating corns and Athlete's foot on their very own.
Does Athlete’s Foot Swell?
What causes corns and Athlete's foot to develop?
Hyperkeratosis refers to thickening of the skin surface. This thickening occurs as a biological defense response that fortifies the skin whenever friction or pressure occurs. Bad feet structure, together with foot deformities like hammertoe can lead to the formation of corns and Athlete's foot, as can bony protrusions within the feet. Shoes and sandals which might be both too tight or that exposes the feet to constant rubbing at particular regions are similarly a common reason of skin thickening that leads to Athlete's foot. Complications in gait that occur in excessive stress on specific parts can also be the purpose. Finger Athlete's foot may develop in reaction to the use of equipment, playing stringed instruments or using paintings gadget that exerts tension at particular regions.
Athlete's foots
Athlete's foots are a normal reaction to repeated damage or friction and are the most likely cause of hardened pores and skin on the hands. Athlete's foot symptoms include:
- dryness
- roughness
- lumpiness
- a wax-like look
- moderate tenderness painless skin when you touch
Is Athlete’s Foot Painful?
Athlete's foots and Its Symptoms
Athlete's foots are rough border patches of thick skin. Typically, larger than corns and mostly pain-free, they form due to constant pressure or friction. Think about writing with a pencil over time, as an example, can lead to formation of an Athlete's foot at the center finger of the hand you use. Athlete's foots hardly ever cause pain and generally form on particular areas of the skin, particularly the balls of your feet or at the palm, knees, or under the feet. The surface can once in a while be smooth and hard or tough, dry, and scaly.
Among a number of the conditions that aggravate Athlete's foot are:
- Wood chopping
- Playing on monkey bars
- Playing stringed instruments
- Lifting weights
- Rowing
- Wearing high heels
- Mountain climbing
- Playing tennis or golf, or any other sport where you have to hold a tool
- Construction work
- Walking without shoes
An Athlete's foot may be a shape of safety in that the layers of lifeless pores and skin cells are proof against blisters and friction. Whenever an Athlete's foot cracks be ready to experience some pain because the underlying tissue is in the open. This situation is however rare since the thickened skin layers are able to stretch.
Athlete’s foot home remedy
Home remedies can be very effective in treating many cases of Athlete’s foot. Some home remedies may be readily accessible at home, while others are accessible in health food stores. Find out what options you have, and when it may be necessary to call a doctor.
Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is extricated from the leaves of the tea tree, usually found in Australia. Medical studies have revealed that tea tree oil relieves Athlete’s foot. It contains antibacterial and antifungal properties, which kills fungi causing Athlete’s foot. To treat Athlete’s foot with tea tree oil, place a few drops into a carrier oil such as coconut or olive oil, and apply it on your feet. Alternatively, people can use tea tree oil creams and salves, which are available at health food stores. People should be careful when using tea tree oil because it can be irritating to the skin. If you experience any rashes or irritation, stop using the remedy. Use undiluted tea tree oil on your skin.
Garlic
Garlic has been widely used for medicinal use, and various studies have found garlic to be effective against fungi and bacteria. Garlic contains a compound known as ajoene which helps to cure Athlete’s foot. A garlic foot bath using fresh garlic cloves is one method for people to try this treatment at home. Squash three to four garlic cloves and mix them into a bowl of warm water — soak feet for thirty minutes, twice a day for up to a week. However, the powerful compounds in garlic can leave a lasting garlic smell on the skin.
Hydrogen peroxide with iodine
Hydrogen peroxide and iodine are widely used to disinfect cuts and wounds and to kill germs on the skin. To treat Athlete’s foot with Hydrogen peroxide and iodine, combine iodine solution and peroxide in a basin or large bucket. Iodine solution is accessible at most drugstores in the wound care section. Immerse the feet directly in the mixture or use a cotton pad to rub it to the affected regions. Do not use iodine on the skin without diluting it since it can destroy the skin if used by itself. Hydrogen Peroxide may sting if the skin is broken or irritated, and it can bleach hair and fabrics. Iodine may also cause stains. Applying this remedy in a bathtub or shower may prevent unwanted stains, bleaching, and spills.
