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What are the symptoms of athlete ’ s foot ?
Athlete ’ s Foot Q A
Courtesy PREMIER FOOT & ANKLE
Athlete ’ s foot , which can affect anyone , even non-athletes , tends to begin as a red rash that flares up between your toes . As this fungal infection continues to worsen and spread , you may start experiencing :
• Dry , flaky skin
• Scaly rash
• Blisters
• Itching
You may also find that your skin becomes raw and painful to the touch , so you find it unbearably uncomfortable to slip on socks and shoes . An athlete ’ s foot infection can spread up the sides of your feet and can even affect your hands if you scratch or pick at your rash .
How did I get athlete ’ s foot ? Because athlete ’ s foot is a viral infection , you can easily contract it from anywhere fungal organisms thrive . For instance , fungi develop rapidly in moist , warm , dark environments . So if you walk barefoot across a pool deck , or skip shower shoes in the gym locker room , you risk coming into contact with athlete ’ s foot-causing fungal organisms .
Your chances of suffering from a painful athlete ’ s foot infection also increase due to :
• Weakened immune system
• History of athlete ’ s foot
• Open foot sores
No matter what ’ s causing your case of athlete ’ s foot or how mild your symptoms may seem , you have plenty of options for relief at Premier Foot & Ankle .
Which athlete ’ s foot treatment is most effective ? Athlete ’ s foot can be stubborn to treat so , at Premier Foot & Ankle , your dedicated podiatrist performs a comprehensive clinical exam and may gather skin scrapings to have evaluated at the lab . This helps confirm which type of fungal organism is causing your infection .
Depending on the outcome of your exam and any essential lab testing , your athlete ’ s foot treatment may include :
• Topical or oral antifungal medications
• Bacterial or steroidal topical agents
• Specialized foot powders
Your dedicated podiatrist at Premier Foot & Ankle even counsels you on how to care for your feet and specific measures you can take to minimize your future risk of athlete ’ s foot .
For example , keeping your feet clean and dry , wearing shower shoes in communal areas , and allowing your shoes to air out overnight can all lower your chances of ongoing athlete ’ s foot issues , and help your current infection resolve quickly .
Before your athlete ’ s foot progresses any further , schedule an exam at Premier Foot & Ankle to get started on treatment .
TEXOMA AREA • 21