(also referred to as ...)
Ringworm of the Feet, Tinea Pedis
Description
Athlete's foot is a common, superficial, fungal infection of the foot. It often occurs between the toes but can occur anywhere on the foot. This form of infection only became common once humans began to wear closed footwear that does not allow the foot to "breathe".
There are four types of tinea pedis and two or more of them can occur simultaneously. The first, and most common, is the chronic "intetriginous" type. Next are the chronic, "papulosquamous" type and the "vesicular" type. The last, and potentially most severe, type is "acute ulcerative".
This infection is passed from person to person via direct contact or contact with contaminated surfaces (shower stalls and bathtubs) or contaminated articles (towels and bed linens).
Athlete's foot is more common in adults, but can occur in children. This form of infection becomes more sever, and more difficult to cure, in those suffering from other disease processes such as diabetes mellitus or people with compromised immune systems..
Symptoms and Signs:
Symptoms can vary depending on the type of organism causing the infection. Generally, symptoms and signs include thickening of the skin, itching, stinging, burning, and a foul odour.
With the chronic intertriginous type, there is often fissuring, scaling, and masceration of the webbing between the third and forth or forth and fifth toes. This can spread to the sole or instep. If enough moisture accumulates, the infection could be compounded by a secondary bacterial infection.
Both feet are usually involved in the chronic, papulosquamous type. Symptoms include mild inflammation and scales on the soles of the feet. This type is often accompanied by ringworm of the toenail (tinea unguium).
Small vesicles near the instep and sole of the foot are present in the vesicular type. Scales also appear on the instep and soles as well as the webs of the toes. This type is more problematic during the summer months than in winter.
In acute ulcerative cases, symptoms include mascerated, denuded, weeping ulcerations of the sole along with white hyperkeratosis and a strong odour. This type can also be complicated by a secondary bacterial infection. Some people find this type very painful to the point of debility.
Causes:
Athlete's foot is usually caused by Trichophyton rubrum, T. mentagrophytes, or Epidermophyton floccosum.
Infection is further promoted when wearing non-porous, or ill-fitting, shoes. Non-breathable footwear causes an increase in temperature and makes the foot sweat. In turn, the skin does not have the opportunity to dry and this interferes with the its protective functions.
Blistering due to ill-fitting shoes can also compromise the skin and allow for infection to occur.
As mentioned previously, this infection is passed from person to person via direct contact or contact with contaminated surfaces (shower stalls and bathtubs) or contaminated articles (towels and bed linens).
What to Expect:
Fungal infections like tinea pedis are often difficult to treat. They have a habit of taking up residence, as it were, and tend to recur.
Prevention is best.
