What is tinea pedis (athletes foot)?
What Is Tinea Pedis? Tinea pedis, or athlete’s foot, is a ringworm infection of the foot. This contagious infection commonly affects the skin in between your toes, and at times, your soles, heels, and sides of your feet.
Can tinea infections affect any part of the body?
Tinea infection can affect any part of the body. Tinea infections of the feet, nails, and genital area are not often called ringworm. This is because the red patches may not look like rings. But it most often occurs in moist areas of the body and around hair.
What are the symptoms of tinea pedis and tinea manuum?
Tinea pedis may be accompanied by tinea cruris, tinea manuum or tinea unguium. Poor peripheral circulation or lymphoedema. Small to medium-sized blisters, usually affecting the inner aspect of the foot ( vesiculobullous type). Plantar keratoderma.
What is Tinea infections of the feet?
Tinea infections of the feet, nails, and genital area are not often called ringworm. This is because the red patches may not look like rings. But it most often occurs in moist areas of the body and around hair. The fungus can be spread from person to person.
How does athlete's foot affect the body?
Athlete's foot is a fungal infection that causes scaly rash that may itch, sting or burn. Athlete's foot can affect one or both feet. Common signs and symptoms are: Scaly, peeling or cracked skin between the toes.
Can tinea affect the whole body?
Tinea infection can affect any part of the body. But it most often occurs on the feet, groin, nails, body, and scalp. Treatment depends on what part of the body is infected. It may include antifungal cream, shampoo, or medicine by mouth.
What are the complications of tinea pedis?
Secondary cellulitis, lymphangitis, pyoderma, and even osteomyelitis can result from mycotic infections of the feet, including tinea pedis. These complications are seen more frequently in patients with conditions such as chronic edema, immunosuppression, hemiplegia and paraplegia, and diabetes.
What happens if tinea is left untreated?
If left untreated, there is a risk that the infection will spread from toe to toe. A rash may develop on the sides and the bottom of the feet. In rare cases, athlete's foot can spread to the hands, this is known as tinea manuum.
Can tinea spread to other parts of the body?
Ringworm (tinea corporis) is an infection of the skin caused by tiny fungus spores that reproduce in the dead outer layers of your skin. It's contagious as long as any spores are alive. This means it can spread on contact to other parts of your body, or to other people, even when you're being treated.
Can athlete's foot lead to sepsis?
If you have an immune system disorder or are HIV positive, you're also at risk for complications from athlete's foot. The fungus can break down your skin, causing sores, ulcers, and cellulitis. The infection from untreated cellulitis can travel to your lymph nodes and cause life-threatening conditions such as sepsis.
Can athlete's foot spread over your body?
Myth 7: Athlete's foot only affects the feet. Athlete's foot can spread if you scratch the itch and then touch other parts of your body, including your groin (jock itch) and the skin under your arms. It can also spread to other parts of your body via contaminated sheets or clothing.
How long does tinea pedis take to heal?
Most mild cases of athlete's foot clear up within 2 weeks. But treatment can go for several weeks or longer if the infection is more serious or affects the toenails.
Which type of fungal infection is most serious?
The most common types of fungi that cause serious or life-threatening infections include:Aspergillus, which causes aspergillosis. ... Candida, which causes candidiasis, also called thrush. ... Histoplasma, which causes histoplasmosis when the spores enter the lungs.More items...
What are the three types of tinea?
What are the most common types of tinea infections?Athlete's foot (tinea pedis). This common condition mostly affects teen and adult males. ... Jock itch (tinea cruris). Ringworm may be hard to cure. ... Scalp ringworm (tinea capitis). ... Nail infection (tinea unguium). ... Body ringworm (tinea corporis).
Can you get rid of tinea permanently?
The length of the treatment depends on the location of the tinea. Fungi can live for a long time on the skin. Because of this, tinea infection is hard to cure and can come back easily. Treatment may need to be repeated.
How long does it take for tinea to clear up?
Ringworm usually goes away within 4 weeks of treatment.
What Is Tinea Pedis?
Tinea pedis, or athlete’s foot, is a ringworm infection of the foot. This contagious infection commonly affects the skin in between your toes, and at times, your soles, heels, and sides of your feet.
How Long Does Tinea Pedis Take To Heal?
Milder cases can subside within two weeks of proper treatment. In more severe or widespread infections, treatment may take more weeks or even months. If your toenail is infected, it may take up to a few months for the infection to completely clear up.
What Is The Best Treatment For Tinea Pedis?
Topical antifungal treatment is usually effective in clearing up most tinea pedis infections. This antifungal therapy may come in creams, lotions, powders, or sprays that are applied directly to the infected site. They are usually applied once or twice a day.
How Do You Prevent Tinea Pedis?
Tinea pedis is a contagious infection. It can not only spread from one person to another, but it can also spread from your feet to affect other parts of your body. These are some preventative measures you can adopt to prevent getting the infection or spreading the disease to other people.
How long does it take for tinea pedis to heal?
If your tinea pedis does not improve within two weeks of commencing topical antifungal treatment, visit your doctor. Other than that, if you are immunocompromised or have diabetes, and you suspect you have a tinea infection, it is best to see a doctor as well.
What is the ringworm on the side of the foot?
Tinea pedis, or ringworm of the foot, is commonly known as athlete’s foot. It is a fungal infection that frequently begins at the skin between your toes and can affect your soles and side of the feet.
What is the name of the worm that causes discoloration on the skin?
Patches of discoloration on your skin may be a result of another type of tinea infection, known as tinea versicolor.
Overview
Athlete’s foot is a common fungal (caused by a fungus) infection. Athlete’s foot is a form of ringworm. Tinea pedis is another name for athlete’s foot. Tinea is another name for ringworm, and pedis means foot or feet. Athlete’s foot causes an itchy, stinging, burning rash on the skin on one or both of your feet.
Diagnosis and Tests
Your healthcare provider can typically diagnose athlete’s foot by examining your feet and reviewing your symptoms.
Management and Treatment
Athlete’s foot rarely goes away on its own. If left untreated, it’s more likely to spread to other parts of your body.
Prevention
Thoroughly wash your feet and the skin between your toes with antibacterial soap.
Why do athletes get foot itch?
Causes. Athlete's foot is caused by the same type of fungus that causes ringworm and jock itch . Damp socks and shoes and warm, humid conditions favor the organisms' growth. Athlete's foot is contagious and can be spread by contact with an infected person or from contact with contaminated surfaces, such as towels, floors and shoes.
What causes a rash on the toes?
Athlete's foot usually causes a scaly red rash. The rash typically begins in between the toes. Itching is often the worst right after you take off your shoes and socks.
What causes a rash on the bottom of the foot?
It can cause a scaly rash that may itch, sting or burn. Moccasin-type athlete's foot can cause cracking, peeling or excessive dryness on the bottoms or sides of the feet. Athlete's foot (tinea pedis) is a fungal infection that usually begins between the toes.
How long does it take for a rash to go away on your foot?
If you have a rash on your foot that doesn't improve within two weeks of beginning self-treatment with an over-the-counter antifungal product, see your doctor.
Can athlete's foot spread to other parts of the body?
Your athlete's foot infection can spread to other parts of your body, including: Your hand. People who scratch or pick at the infected parts of their feet may develop a similar infection in one of their hands . Your nails.
Can you treat athlete's foot with a ringworm?
Athlete's foot is closely related to other fungal infections such as ringworm and jock itch. It can be treated with over-the-counter antifungal medications, but the infection often recurs. Prescription medications also are available.
What are possible complications of tinea infection?
Tinea of the scalp can also develop into a kerion. This is a large, painful, swollen sore over the area of the tinea infection. This is caused by a hypersensitivity to the tinea. The lymph nodes in your neck may be swollen and sore. You may also have a rash on another part of your body. A kerion may be treated with steroid medicine to help reduce inflammation and swelling.
What causes tinea infection?
The fungus that causes tinea is very common all over the world, including the U.S. It’s very contagious. The fungus is spread through direct contact with:
How is tinea infection diagnosed?
Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and health history. They will give you a physical exam. The physical exam will include looking closely at your skin or nails. You may also have tests, such as:
What are the symptoms of tinea unguium?
Symptoms of nail infection (tinea unguium, onychomycosis) may include: Thickening of the ends of the nails. Yellow color to the nails. Symptoms of body ringworm (tinea corporis) may include: Red, ring-shaped patches with raised, scaly edges. Itching. The symptoms of tinea infection can be like other health conditions.
Why do my feet have red spots?
It’s caused by different types of fungi. Tinea infection can affect any part of the body. Tinea infections of the feet, nails, and genital area are not often called ringworm. This is because the red patches may not look like rings. But it most often occurs in moist areas of the body and around hair.
What causes thickened nails?
Nail infection (tinea unguium or onychomycosis). This is an infection of the toenails, and sometimes fingernails. It causes thickened, deformed, and discolored nails instead of a rash. Body ringworm (tinea corporis). This occurs anywhere on the body or the face. But it is more common in skin folds.
How long does it take for ringworm to develop?
Infected soil. It can take days or up to 2 weeks before you develop the infection after being in contact with the fungus. The fungi that cause ringworm can live for a long time on objects. Because of this, you may not know the exact source.
What are the symptoms of a bacterial infection in the foot?
There can be more severe complications if a secondary bacterial infection develops. In this case, your foot might be swollen, painful, and hot. Pus, drainage, and fever are additional signs of a bacterial infection.
How to prevent athlete's foot infection?
There are several things you can do to help prevent athlete’s foot infections: Wash your feet with soap and water every day and dry them thoroughly, especially between the toes. Was h socks, bedding and towels in water that’s 140°F (60°C) or higher.
What does athlete's foot affect?
Many people will have athlete's foot at some point in their lives. It usually affects the gaps between the toes.
Why do my feet itch?
The soles of the feet, the heels and the edges of the feet are then dry, scaly and may be itchy. Moccasin athlete's foot is sometimes mistaken for other conditions such as eczema. A rare kind of athlete's foot causes an acute inflammation associated with skin redness, blisters, pus-filled bumps and open sores. The skin may itch and feel tight.
How long does it take for fungus to grow?
In rare cases, a fungal culture will be grown in a laboratory in order to determine the exact strain of fungus. That takes around three weeks. Prevention. Because fungi grow particularly well in a moist environment, it's important to make sure you keep your feet dry.
Why does my foot feel tight?
The skin may itch and feel tight. Causes. Athlete's foot is usually caused by fungi that infect the skin (dermatophytes). They can enter the skin through small cracks or wounds, and infect the top layer. The fungi are passed on through direct skin contact or through contact with flakes of skin.
Can athlete's foot be a bacterial infection?
Very rarely, and only in severe cases of athlete's foot, it can also lead to a bacterial infection. Diagnosis. The doctor examines the affected parts of skin and asks about the symptoms. They may take a skin sample to rule out other similar skin conditions.
Can fungi be passed on through contact?
The fungi are passed on through direct skin contact or through contact with flakes of skin. That can happen if, for instance, you step on infectious flakes of skin in communal showers. The same fungi can also cause fungal nail infections. Fungal skin infections need moisture and warmth to spread.
Overview
Symptoms
- Athlete's foot can affect one or both feet. Common signs and symptoms are: 1. Scaly, peeling or cracked skin between the toes 2. Itchiness, especially right after taking off shoes and socks 3. Inflamed skin that might appear reddish, purplish or grayish, depending on your skin color 4. Burning or stinging 5. Blisters 6. Dry, scaly skin on the bottom of the foot that extends up the side
Causes
- Athlete's foot is caused by the same type of fungi (dermatophytes) that cause ringworm and jock itch. Damp socks and shoes and warm, humid conditions favor the organisms' growth. Athlete's foot is contagious and can spread through contact with an infected person or from contact with contaminated surfaces, such as towels, floors and shoes. You can also spread it from the foot t…
Risk Factors
- You are at higher risk of athlete's foot if you: 1. Frequently wear enclosed footwear 2. Sweat heavily 3. Share mats, rugs, bed linens, clothes or shoes with someone who has a fungal infection 4. Walk barefoot in public areas where the infection can spread, such as locker rooms, saunas, swimming pools, communal baths and showers
Complications
- The athlete's foot infection can spread to other warm, moist parts of the body. Jock itch is often caused by the same fungus that results in athlete's foot. It's common for the infection to spread from the feet to the groin because the fungus can travel on hands or towels. Athlete's foot can sometimes lead to bacterial infections.
Prevention
- These tips can help you avoid athlete's foot or avoid spreading it to others: 1. Let your feet air out.When you can, wear sandals to let your feet air out as much as possible. 2. Wash your feet daily.Use warm, soapy water and rinse and dry your feet thoroughly, especially between the toes. Apply a medicated foot powder (Tinactin, Gold Bond, others) or other medicated powder (Lotrim…