Athletes Foot Eguide

DermaTechRx Research Center has undergone extensive Athlete's Foot fungus research. Our primary focus is to provide relevant information about Athlete's Foot, its causes, and the signs and symptoms associated with Athlete's Foot. Below you'll find Athlete's Foot pictures and information compiled through our research, on the internet and in-house findings.

What is Athlete’s Foot?

If you have ever experienced an irritating itching and burning between your toes and on other parts of your feet, then chances are you've had the symptoms of Athlete’s Foot. Athlete’s foot is medically referred to as tinea pedis and it is a form of ringworm, of the tinea family, which can be contracted easily. The tinea fungi are the type of fungus that generally infects warm-blooded creatures, such as humans and animals.

Results from studies on Athlete's Foot in the US have shown more males, than females, are expected to contract Athlete’s foot in their lifetime. Children, as well as persons with weak immune systems are also susceptible to this infection.

How can one get Athlete’s Foot?

The name Athlete’s Foot may suggest that the fungus can only infect those who regularly take part in athletic activities. While infections are more commonly spread in places like locker rooms, fitness centers, swimming pools, and other public places, there is a chance that you can also get infected even in your own home. The fungus associated with Athlete’s Foot can be passed by sharing shoes or socks with an infected person. In addition, the fungus can live within the clothing, furniture, flooring, and even bed linens of an infected person.

Tight shoes, with little or no breathing room, and wearing damp socks are main contributing factors to the survival and spread of Athlete’s foot in humans.

Types of Athlete’s Foot and Symptoms

There are three known types of infections that cause Athlete’s foot. They are Toe web infection, Moccasin-type infection, and Vesicular infection. Each of these infections has different symptoms and appearance. What does Athlete's Foot look like? Let’s take a closer look at each of them individually.

Toe Web Infection

Toe web infection, also known as inter-digital infection, is the most common of the three types of Athlete’s foot. It is usually formed between the fourth and fifth toes and pictures of athlete's foot can show the appearance of scales on some people’s feet. Pale-white in complexion and usually very moist-looking, the infection can graduate into cracked and peeling skin. If this should happen, then it means that there are bacteria in the infection. Bacteria will produce a faint odor and is enough indication that your infection is in severe state.

Moccasin-type infection

Moccasin-type infection is one of the more difficult types of Athlete’s Foot to treat and it is longer-lasting than the other two infections. It takes on the form of thick and cracked dry skin either on the sole of one’s feet or on the heel which usually produces a minor irritation which graduates into itching and burning.

The infection can also target hands and toenails. Infected toenails in Athlete's Foot pictures can show signs of a thick coating on the nails that are usually flaky and crumbly looking. Even if this type of infection is treated, the chances of it being infected again are very high.

Vesicular Infection

When it comes to Vesicular infections, there are really no warning signs like the other two types of Athlete's Foot infections. Instead, this type of infection tends to commence with an onslaught of blisters which are known as vesicles. Vesicles are visible between the toes, heel and top of the foot, and can be clearly seen in Athlete's Foot pics of vesicular infections. The blisters, when infected with bacteria, eventually develop into cracks.

Of the different types of Athlete's Foot infections, Vesicular infection is the easiest to treat, but like the other infections, symptoms can return if the complete treatment regimen is not completed in its entirety. Chances of being infected again can occur if one isn’t taking preventative measures to eliminate a new infection. In other cases, if the treatment actions taken are not sufficient enough to kill the fungus, then the fungi will continue to spread.  An Athlete’s Foot itch can spread to other parts of the body if it goes untreated. It can spread to one’s groin where it is known as Jock Itch, and to the limbs and other parts of the body where it is referred to as Ringworm.

When Athlete’s Foot Turns Critical

Judging from Athlete’s Foot pictures, this is an infection that really should not be taken lightly. There are some who may be content on purchasing over-the-counter drugs as an Athlete’s Foot cure to alleviate their pain, but this may not be enough for some truly severe cases. In some instances, infections due to Athlete’s Foot need antibiotics to kill the fungi. If the fungi are not eliminated, then a secondary form of bacteria infection would immediately commence.  A second bacteria attack can further break down the skin’s tissue even more, and can eventually contribute more pain to the infected area. Other complications with an untreated infection include an allergic reaction resulting from proteins entering the bloodstream. It can also cause blisters to appear on your fingers and hands.

How to prevent Athlete’s Foot

As the old adage goes “prevention is better than cure”. With that said, one should try to exercise all the preventative measures to avoid having to deal with the infections caused by Athlete’s Foot. Even if your started your medical treatment for Athlete's Foot, it would still help your situation if you were to utilize the following foot care rules.

If you reside in a house with someone infected with Athlete’s Foot then you are at even higher risk to be infected. There are some people in the household who although exposed to the infection may not suffer from Athlete’s Foot.  This does not prevent them from passing it on to someone else even if they are not showing signs or symptoms of the infection.

Therefore, if you reside with an infected or even if you are treating your Athlete’s Foot, we suggest that you take these precautions.

Athlete’s Foot Myths

There are a lot of myths surrounding Athlete’s Foot its infections. Here are the most popular and some clarification of them.

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