Athletes Foot Facts

Athletes foot can be a real nuisance and cause considerable distress for those affected. To help you learn more about athletes foot, we have put together some facts about athletes foot for you to read through.

• Typically there are two kinds of fungi responsible for causing athletes foot. These are Trichophyton and Epidermophyton.
• People with diabetes are said to be up to three-times more likely to contract athletes foot than non-diabetics.
• The scientific name for athletes foot is tinea pedis.
• The term 'athletes foot' came about due to the condition been more commonly associated with athletes than other people. This is because athletes feet generally spend more time in conditions of perspiration due to exertion, thus increasing their chances of developing athletes foot. Not only this, but athletes using shared shower and changing room facilities in their bare feet increase the chances of athletes foot been spread and contracted.
• Athletes foot can be a precursor to fungal nail infections if not treated.
• Cotton socks can reduce the chances of developing athletes foot due to their propensity for sweat absorption.
• Athletes foot may typically begin with the feet, but can also spread to other parts of the body such as the hands and the face.
• Using talcum powder on you feet after they have been towel dried is a great way to ensure every gap and part of your foot is thoroughly dried.
• People who have open wounds or sores on their feet due to tight fitting footwear or abrasions increase their risk of surface fungi migrating underneath their skin and causing athletes foot.