Athlete's Foot

One of the most common misconceptions surrounding the condition known as athletes foot is that athlete's are the only ones who can catch it. Whilst athletes can often be more susceptible to developing athlete's foot, for reasons we shall discuss further, anybody at all can develop athlete's foot.

'Athlete's Foot' is the non-scientific term for what is formally known as 'Tinea Pedis'. This is an outbreak of a fungal infection, which can cause damage to the skin of the foot. Common symptoms experienced by people who have athlete's foot are a scaling, almost chapped skin, sores may develop which bleed or weep puss. Athlete's foot tends to affect the parts in between the toes, but can also affect the soles of the feet and other parts of the foot.

On the surface of the skin - particularly the feet - there are a number of bacteria and fungi. If the fungi become too numerous, or worse, are allowed entry underneath the skin, this can often be the onset of athlete's foot. The reason why this fungi tends to affect the feet above all else is, the feet provide the perfect conditions. Most of the time out feet are warm, and the fungi like the perspirative moisture which results from the warmth.

Athlete's foot isn't a good condition to develop by any means, but fortunately it is both highly preventable and highly treatable.

The ways to prevent athlete's foot are:

• Wear shoes which are breathable , and wear shoes less . The less your feet sweat, the better.
• Dry your feet properly after bathing. Particularly in between toenails. A specialist athlete's foot powder can help tremendously.
• Avoid treading barefoot where other people are doing so. Athlete's foot can be passed from person to person, or person to floor to person.
• Change your socks regularly, and most definitely change your socks after bathing. This will help prevent bacteria build up.

The way to treat athlete's foot is to simply follow the above preventative methods, and also to use any medication you have been given on prescription or purchased from a pharmacy.