Some foot conditions can be treated at home by yourself, others require you to seek care from a professionally trained podiatrist or foot specialist. An example is athlete’s foot. Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that can cause irritating symptoms such as dry and itchy skin at the soles and between the toes of your feet. If left untreated, Athlete’s Foot can make you susceptible to another bacterial infection. By seeking a podiatrist for athlete’s foot, treatment is almost always effective. Patients looking for treatment for athlete’s foot can seek it through our offices in the Bronx and Westchester.
Athlete’s Foot Causes
Athlete’s Foot is a virus, and these viruses that cause it feed off keratin. Similar to several other fungal infections, these viruses thrive in warm, humid, and damp conditions. Areas where it’s common to contract Athlete’s Foot include locker room floors, public swimming pools, saunas, and communal bathrooms. Since Athlete’s Foot is contagious that’s why public places are usually where you contract these types of infections.
How to Prevent Athlete’s Foot
- Dry your feet well, scrubbing in between your toes too
- Wash your feet daily
- Always wear clean socks
- Don’t walk barefoot in any public areas, always try to wear flip-flops
- Avoid sleeping with socks on
- Whenever it is safe, walk barefoot to let your feet air out
Athlete’s Foot Symptoms:
There are several types of Athlete’s Foot, so each is distinguishable in its own way. The three main types of Athlete’s Foot include Webbed Toe Infection, Moccasin Type Infection, and Blistering/Vesicular Type Infection. The symptoms for each include:
Webbed Toe Infection
- Usually occurs between your 4th and 5th toes
- Skin becomes flakey, loose and breaks
- Itching and burning between your toes
Moccasin Type Infection
- Foot soreness
- Skin on your heel becomes dense and splits
- Your toenails break down and might even fall out
Blistering/Vesicular Type Infection
- Fluid-filled blisters start forming under the skin
- Blisters usually form on the bottom of the foot
Athlete’s Foot Treatment:
In the early stages of Athlete’s Foot, it can be treated with over-the-counter medications that help fight Athlete’s Foot. If symptoms continue, a prescription medication may be needed. In the case that neither method works, your podiatrist may need to prescribe additional medications. Visiting a podiatrist early on will ensure that you’re taking the right course to healing your feet.
Schedule a Visit with a Podiatrist
Looking to get seen by a podiatrist to help cure Athlete’s Foot? We accept almost all insurances, so schedule a time to be seen at one of our 5 offices in the Bronx and Westchester.
