Do Athletes get Athlete’s Foot?

Athlete’s Foot (Tinea Pedis) is a fungal skin infection. It is usually an itchy rash that develops on your foot, especially in between the toes. The surrounding skin can also be affected and become dry and flaky. Usually Athlete’s Foot is a foot infection however it can spread to your hands if you do not wash your hands after treating.

Athlete’s Foot is caused by a fungi group called dermatophytes. Dermatophytes live and feed off dead skin, and feet are the perfect habitat. Feet provide a warm, dark, moist environment which is where this fungus thrives and multiplies.

Athlete’s Foot is highly contagious and can be spread very easily. It is usually prominent in teenagers and men as regular exercise causes the infection to develop but anyone who comes into contact with even the smallest contaminated flake is at risk of developing the infection.

Athlete’s Foot is not a very serious infection but it is much better to fight the infection in order to prevent spreading across the bottom and sides of the foot and also to the nails causing, fungal nail infections, which are more difficult to treat.

There is a simple treatment for Athlete’s Foot which is to use anti-fungal creams from the pharmacy. A home remedy which has worked is soaking your feet daily in a bath of warm, salted water and then drying and applying the anti-fungal cream to the infected area.

Furthermore, ways to prevent Athlete’s Foot reoccurring are to:

·         Wash your feet daily and dry them thoroughly – especially in between the toes as soggy skin is the perfect breeding ground for dermatophytes

·         Wash your towels regularly

·         Change your socks daily as dry flakes may sit in socks

·         Try wearing cotton socks/tights as these do not stimulate sweat as much as nylon socks/tights

·         Wearing flip flops in swimming pool changing rooms to avoid picking up an infection off flakes on the ground

·         Try to let your feet breathe as much as possible as this will allow the air to surround your feet rather than keeping your feet in the stale air in your socks.

As Athlete’s Foot is generally a mild infection and can be treated very easily, you need only to consult your GP if the infection does not clear up and continues to spread.