Athletes Foot – Itchy Toes and Feet

Did you know that nearly 70% of all people will contract athletes foot at some point in their lifetime? Athletes foot is typically harmless, but it’s still a foot infection. It’s caused by a microscopic ringworm fungus that feeds on dead skin, usually found on toes, and other outer skin layers. Fungus thrives in moist, warm environments, and loves shoes, damp socks, and public shower and changing room floors. It’s contracted through small cuts or abrasions on the bottom of the foot.

The most common symptom of athletes foot is itching and burning feet. Sometimes you will see blisters, along with a pungent odor caused by the bacteria invading the skin. Usually itching is the worst when you remove your shoes and socks. Inter-digital athletes foot is the most common form of this fungus. You’ll see it in between the fourth and fifth toes. Too tight and ill fitting shoes can compress your toes, and help to create a warm moist environment that athletes foot fungus loves.

There’s another type called moccasin athletes foot; this manifests as scaly skin on the sole of the foot. The skin will be very fine and silvery, while the skin right under it is very pink and tender to the touch. The hands can also be infected, but the usual pattern seen in moccasin athletes foot is usually two feet and one hand, or one foot and two hands. This type will usually be seen in people who also have eczema or asthma.

There’s also a third type called vesicular athletes foot, but this one is very rare. It manifests as blisters which appear suddenly on the sole, or even the top of the foot. This type can spread onto other body parts, and your chest, arms or the sides of your fingers. These blisters can be painful, and are caused by an allergic reaction to foot fungus. This is sometimes called “jungle rot”. This term came from war times, when servicemen fighting in warm humid climates would contract it – in the jungle.

So now you know, athletes foot really isn’t just for athletes; any of us can contract it, but we can nearly always avoid it by taking normal precautions.

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Related posts:

1. Foot Fungus Symptoms
2. Happy Feet – How to Avoid Nail Fungus
3. Foot Fungus Cure