What is Athlete's Foot?
BY READERS DIGEST
1st Jan 2015 Health Conditions
This irritating fungal infection is not confined to athletes. It can be picked up by anyone walking barefoot on damp floors in changing rooms, bathrooms or at the swimming pool.
Once athlete's foot takes hold, you have to be tough with it. The more you dry your toes and treat your feet, the better. Fortunately there are plenty of remedies to soothe the itching and fight the fungus that causes it. And follow our prevention tips so it doesn't strike again.
What causes athlete’s foot?
Athlete's foot is caused by a fungus called tinea pedis. Warm, damp floors are a common breeding ground for tinea, but it loves any warm, moist place. So the feet, often confined in sweaty shoes and socks, make an ideal breeding ground.
Symptoms of athlete’s foot
The fungus targets the nails, skin and hair, causing skin to redden, crack, burn, scale and itch. When the fungus invades the area between the toes, the classic symptom is itchy, flaking skin. Tinea may also appear on the soles and sides of the feet and even spread to the toenails. Severe cases of athlete's foot can be accompanied by oozing blisters.
