Athletes Foot Introduction

Athletes foot, or 'Tinea Pedis' is an extremely common fungal infection of the foot most people suffer from at least once in their lives. Although the term 'athlete' can often mislead people into thinking it is a condition which only occurs in athletes, anybody is susceptible to becoming infected with athletes foot.

Athletes foot occurs due to a kind of Epidermophyton or Trichophyton fungus which can reside on the surface of the skin, migrating underneath the skin, which in turn can cause infections. Typical symptoms of athletes foot are dry skin on the soles of the feet which may become cracked and sore, reddening of the skin, lesions, bleeding sores and pustules . Athletes foot tends to develop in between the toes, as this is where it is usually the most moist and warm, although it can develop anywhere on the foot. People whose feet tend to sweat more by default or due to physical activity i.e. athletes can often find they are more prone to developing athlete's foot. As athletes foot is a fungal infection, if not treated it grows, and may even find its way onto persons hands or face.

If somebody has damaged skin on their feet such as a cut or a sore, this can often be the point of entry for the aforementioned fungi. Athletes foot is contagious between individuals, and may be passed from individual to individual by using showers which haven't properly been cleaned, walking bare foot at swimming pools and so forth. Another factor which can aid the fungus' progression to athletes foot is by not changing socks regularly, and as dead skin cells accumulate and sweat and bacteria stay within used socks creating the perfect breeding ground for the fungi.

Athletes foot is also linked to fungal nail infections.