You could have something in common with all those athletes out there even if you can’t hit a ball! Athlete’s Foot.
Athlete’s Foot isn’t just for sports stars. Athlete’s Foot is that scaly, itchy skin on your feet that most people think is just dry skin. It could also be moist, soft skin between the toes.
Athlete’s Foot is caused by a fungus, which is that black icky stuff that grows in the cracks in showers. This fungus grows in warm damp surfaces like pools, public showers, and locker rooms – and when it gets on your feet, it could start to grow on you.
How Do You Get Athlete’s Foot?
Walking in public with no shoes is an easy way to pick up the fungus, which is called tinea, on your feet.
How Do You Know If You Have Athlete’s Foot?
Athlete’s Feet can affect people differently. Some people get peeling or cracking between their toes. Others have redness or dryness that appears as scaly skin on the bottom of their feet. If you are not sure what’s going on with your feet, call our office for an appointment. We can let you know if you have that or something else.
How to Prevent Athlete’s Foot?
The best Athlete’s Foot Cure is never to get it in the first place. You don’t have to avoid public pools or showers this summer to avoid Athlete’s Feet. The best way to avoid the fungus is by wearing protection when you go into these areas. Look for sandals that are waterproof and have skid resistant soles. We recommend Spenco sandals since they have a waterproof supportive sole and are also skid resistant.
What’s the best Athlete’s Foot Cure?
You can try over-the-counter remedies first. These include clotrimazole (Lotrimin), miconazole (Micatin), terbinafine (Lamisil), and tolnaftate (Tinactin). These non prescription antifungals need to be applied to the feet. Make sure you wash your hands after applying so as not to spread it to other areas.
They all have the same or very similar medications, so one is not that much better than another. If the problem doesn’t clear up or comes back quickly it may need a stronger medicine. If it’s not clearing up it’s best to have a specialist make sure it’s not something else, like eczema or psoriasis, which mimics Athlete’s Foot.
Don’t let Athlete’s Foot bench you this summer. Request an appointment online Dr. Schlam at Hollowbrook Foot Specialists in Wappingers Falls or by phone at (845) 298-9074 and let us get you back in the game.
By:David Schlam
