The 411 On Athlete's Foot

Your feet are important parts of your body. From walking and running to standing and jumping, the feet provide support for your body to move, rest, and live. Unfortunately, your feet are exposed to numerous hazards that you may not be familiar with. While surprising to learn, 70% of people will have athlete's foot at one point in time because they came in contact with a fungus. Even though it is common, most people do not understand the signs and treatment options for athlete's foot. Thankfully, this guide will help.

Signs

Each person is different, so you may not experience the same signs as someone else with athlete's foot. However, one of the first signs most people develop and notice is itchiness of the foot. As the fungus spreads over the foot, the skin on the bottom of the foot and around and in between the toes will be incredibly itchy. Many people complain of a burning or stinging sensation as well.

If your feet are itchy, inspect the skin closely. If the skin appears red, dry, flaky, and scaly, you may have athlete's foot. In more severe instances, the skin of the foot can become so dry and scaly, that it starts to crack in places. Dirt and bacteria may seep into these cracks, increasing the risk of an infection that leads to more swelling, itchiness, and pain. If infected, you may notice pus oozing from the cracked areas of skin.

Treatment

Most people are surprised to learn athlete's foot can be treated with over-the-counter medications. These medications are topical creams that kill the fungus present on the skin. Fortunately, the topical creams usually reduce the symptoms of athlete's foot, as well. With proper use, you should notice a decrease in the itchiness, redness, and swelling.

It is important to note that more involved treatment will be required if you have an infection. Therefore, consider visiting your doctor if your feet are severely cracked and oozing pus. Finally, remember that athlete's foot is contagious. You should avoid touching your feet and touching other areas of your body since you could spread the fungus to other areas very quickly.

Athlete's foot may not be a pleasant topic, but it is important to know the signs and treatment options so that you can be healed quickly and effectively. This guide and your doctor's help will guide you through the diagnosing and treating process for athlete's foot. For more information, check out a website like http://familyfootanklephysicians.com/ today.