A Guide to Athlete’s Foot: When to Seek Medical Attention?

Be it tiptoeing or walking and running, our foot health is also important and still, it is one of the most ignored aspects by most of us. In the present times, growing awareness among the people is making the discussion of foot problems more mainstream and it calls for immediate action to avert the chances of losing your feet permanently. Even our fancy pedicure once a month is not a luxury but rather a necessity as the feet also deserve the best care to stay healthy for the long term. However, athletes' foot symptoms appear to be intimidating and painful at the same time and that is why here in this blog, the discussion is solely focused on the Athlete’s foot to disseminate awareness to its greatest extent.

Whether we admit it or not, our feet are the best resources that we can possess and always keep in mind that our idea of self-sufficiency is incomplete without healthy feet. On a contrary note, indifference towards foot health, in reality, affects work life and culminates in a diminished quality of life. Whether you are hailing from a sales job or a desk job, the aggravated condition of foot health detrimentally affects physical activity in general. However, it is always the best thing to resort towards preventative foot care to keep your performance optimal. To know more about the possible reasons for foot infections, read this blog till the end.   

What is an Athlete's Foot?

Not to forget the fact that there is a huge difference between gross feet and not-so-attractive feet and if you are suffering from Athlete’s feet, you are likely to end up having a beat-up foot. However, Athlete’s Foot is mainly a highly contagious foot infection. This disease has derived its name due to the prevalence of this infection among athletes. There is nothing to worry about as Athlete’s foot is not at all hard to cure unless you have Diabetes. However, you are likely to develop this infection in the feet owing to your contact with people infected with this disease. Although in showers and swimming pools, there are chances of getting contaminated with this infected disease.

You are not always required to become an athlete in order to become the victim of Athlete’s feet, rather your sweaty footwear and stinky sneakers can be the primary culprit of this disorder. Let's discover the factors that are instrumental for the feet diseases like Athlete’s feet.

• Having a mild injury in the on nail or feet
• Sweaty feet
• Keeping the feet wet for a long period
• Visiting poolside or showers in barefoot

Symptoms of Athlete’s Foot

Athlete's foot symptoms keep differing from one person to another, but there are certain factors that you may also witness in the primary phase of developing this fungal infection.

• Itchy blisters
• Burning sensation in the toes
• Discoloured toenails
• Rough and patch skins on the feet

Prevention of Athlete’s Foot

Tinea Pedia or Athlete’s Foot is not something from which you cannot get rid, rather preventive measures can effectively aid you in letting the chances of this infection go away. Worried about the high charges for pedicures every month? Take it easy, there are simple steps that you can follow to bid adieu to the dormant risks of Athlete’s Foot.

• Drying out your feet and shoes - Isn’t the idea of getting drenched in the rain or playing football during the rainfall highly exciting? Such small pleasures are likely to pave the path for fungal growth in your feet and later on result in serious inflammation, impeding normal movement. So, never forget to dry out your feet and shoes after getting back home.

• Applying foot moisturisers or ointments - Always remember that the slightest foot sores or the most minor injury and cut in your feet can invite the Athlete’s feet to invade your life and advance to the acute stage. And for this problem, you too have the solutions like the application of foot moisturisers and ointments to keep the skin of your feet supple and soft and to heal the wounds gradually.

• Wearing sandals every time whenever you step outside - Be it Athlete’s feet or any other fungal infection, they are contagious and only your consciousness can prevent such infections from plaguing your life.

Treatment of Athlete’s Foot

As we know Athlete’s foot is usually the fungal inflammation, so we are free to resort towards the over counter drugs to alleviate this infection. Moreover, there are a plethora of treatments available for Athlete’s feet that are mentioned below.

• Consulting a medical professional at first
• Antibiotic medicines to cease the growth of bacterial infections
• Using tea tree oil for instant relief from burning sensation or itchiness.

Final Words

Be aware that Athlete’s foot is not something that goes away on its own, rather keeping this infection undiagnosed can advance to the cracks in the skin. Schedule an appointment with Médecins podologues near you for professional intervention.