Anyone can get athlete's foot, no matter the age or gender. However, there are some everyday life habits that could make your risk of getting it higher. Some factors can make the odds higher of you getting athlete's foot. Keep reading this article in order to find out what causes athlete's foot and when to make an appointment with our GP for athlete's foot in Fuengirola.
Overview
Athlete's foot is known as being a fungal infection which generally begins between your toes. It usually happens in persons whose feet became so sweaty while they were wearing tight-fitting shoes.
What are the symptoms of athlete's foot?
Athlete's foot is usually causing a scaly red rash. The rash that was created normally begins in between your toes. Itching becomes most of the time the worst right after you took off socks and shoes.
Blisters or ulcers are common in several kinds of athlete's foot. Chronic dryness and scaling on the soles that spreads up the side of the foot are symptoms of the moccasin type of athlete's foot. It's easy to confuse it with eczema or dry skin.
Make an appointment with our GP for athlete's foot in Fuengirola to get treatment and stop the bothering symptoms.
What Causes Athlete's Foot?
When the tinea fungus is growing on the feet, the majority of cases of athlete's foot arise. It's possible that you catch the fungus by coming into direct contact with an infected person or touching fungus-infested surfaces. Warm, humid surroundings are ideal for the fungus to thrive. Locker rooms floors, showers and swimming pools are all frequent places to find it.
The fungi thrive in moist, closed and warm environments and feed on keratin, which is a protein found in skin, hair and nails. Rarely, athlete’s foot can be caused by non-dermatophytes, like yeast (candida).
Athlete's foot is an infectious disease. Direct touch with the condition, as well as skin particles that remain left on the floor, shoes or towels may spread it.
Athlete's foot is more likely to develop if you walk barefoot. Your susceptibility to athlete's foot can also influence your chances of developing it. People with weakened immune systems or diabetes, for example, are more likely to become infected if they have a cut that is open on their foot.
If you're unsure about what caused your athlete's foot, make an appointment with our GP for athlete's foot in Fuengirola to find out.
How can you prevent athlete's foot?
- Always have your feet dry, particularly between the toes. When you are at home, walk barefoot so your feet air out as much as they can. After you just took a shower or a bath, dry the part between your toes with a towel.
- Change socks regularly. Change your socks twice per day if you have sweaty feet.
- Do not wear tight shoes. Avoid shoes that are made of synthetic material, just like rubber or vinyl.
- Alternate pairs of shoes. You should not wear the same pair of shoes daily, because you need to give your shoes time to dry after you use them.
- Do not share shoes. Sharing shoes is risky and it can spread a fungal infection.
When to contact our GP for athlete's foot in Fuengirola
If you got a rash on your foot that persists even after 2 weeks of self-treatment with an over-the-counter antifungal medicine, you should make an appointment with our GP for athlete's foot in Fuengirola.