Athlete's Foot

(as the name itself might suggest) the athlete's foot is an unpleasant pitfall for the feet of all athletes, but not only.

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What is Athlete's Foot?

Athlete's foot (tinea pedis or ringworm of the foot) is a contagious disease caused by a group of dermatophyte fungi. It belongs to the class of dermatomycoses or superficial mycoses that affect hairless (hairless) skin.

Foot mycosis, as the name suggests, frequently affects athletes and those who attend public sports centers with a hot-humid climate (swimming pools, gyms, showers, etc.). The transmission of the disease occurs by contact thanks to small fragments of skin that detach from the patient and disperse in the environment. This contagion can be direct, but also indirect, for example by making contact with showers, platforms, floors or other objects used. from people affected by mycosis.

Who is most at risk?

Athlete's foot is a widespread disease all over the world and is found more frequently in adults, the elderly and in males. Those who wear socks or shoes made of non-breathable materials are particularly affected. In fact, the heat and humidity of the area facilitate the proliferation of the causative fungi. Even the habit of not drying the feet well or washing them too frequently can predispose to tinea pedis; these incorrect habits alter the pH of the skin, which naturally protects against external aggressions. Public showers, swimming pools and changing rooms they are places that can favor, especially in summer, the spread of mycosis to other people.

they are unprepared to fight the infection. Even some pathologies such as AIDS, diabetes, circulatory dysfunctions and dermatitis, can favor the onset of the disease.
Alongside these endogenous factors, there are also other called exogenous or external factors, that is, linked to environmental conditions. The microorganisms that cause athlete's foot in fact proliferate in warm and humid environments, nesting in closed places such as sports shoes. For this reason, the risk of infection increases considerably if one or more of the following risk factors are present:

Weakening of the immune defenses
Genetic factors (there is probably a genetic predisposition of the subject to infection)
Bad perspiration
Moisture buildup (wet socks or shoes)
Habit of walking barefoot in public places
Summer season and hot-humid environments
Inadequate footwear and socks (non-breathable synthetic materials)
Tight shoes

(generally, between the third and fourth finger or between the fourth and fifth finger) and subsequently it can extend to the sole, the back and the nails with a tendency to chronicity. Favored by the heat and humidity resulting from excessive sweating, the microorganisms responsible for the infection lurk in the superficial layers of the epidermis, giving rise to the characteristic symptoms of the disease:

Erythema, red and itchy skin
Skin peeling, especially between the toes and from the sole of the foot
Skin thickening
Blistering with water content most frequently located on the sole of the foot and on the lateral edges of the toes
Appearance of skin cracks
Smelly feet
More or less intense itching
Thicker nails with a twisted appearance and with a tendency to weaken until they tear and lose their natural color

If the disease is not treated, cuts and bacterial superinfections can form. These microorganisms feed on keratin, a substance that covers and protects not only the skin but also nails and hair. By attacking the keratin that makes up the stratum corneum (external) of the skin, the fungi responsible for the athlete's foot thus open the way to other microorganisms, causing states of deep infection.

For further information: Athlete's Foot Symptoms both for topical use (ointments, sprays, powders, ointments, etc.), and systemic (by mouth).
The former - with rare exceptions - can be purchased without a prescription and are indicated in case of superficial infections without complications.
If this treatment fails, relapses occur or the infection is particularly extensive, it is passed to oral treatment, certainly more effective (healing within one / two weeks), but not without side effects such as nausea, vomiting and headache.
Even topical treatments can, in some cases, cause local irritation and hypersensitivity reactions towards their components. When using these products it is good to respect some rules to promote healing:

Wash carefully and dry the area to be treated
Prefer creams in case of macerated skin by applying small quantities until the drug is completely absorbed
To avoid relapses, especially in case of recurrence of symptoms, it is good to apply antifungal powders to shoes and socks
Avoid excessive scratching of the affected area as this may delay healing
Topical therapy requires quite long healing times (even a few months) and it is good to extend the treatment for at least a week after complete recovery
Ask your GP or pharmacist for advice before making a hasty diagnosis

In any case, if the symptoms do not subside after a couple of weeks of topical treatment, it is advisable to consult a doctor, both to confirm the diagnosis and to avoid the prolongation of treatment that is necessary with topical remedies.
Finally, among the natural remedies we mention thyme, lavender, propolis and echinacea which contain precious active ingredients with antiseptic, disinfectant and purifying action.

To learn more: Tinea Pedis - Medicines for the treatment of Ringworm of the Foot with care the floors if you are the owner of a public sports center

Always use slippers or sandals in public bathrooms, changing rooms or showers

If you are affected by mycosis it is good to avoid going to public swimming pools in order not to transmit the infection to other individuals.