Have you ever dealt with itchy, burning feet that just won’t stop bothering you? Chances are, you’ve wondered if it might be athlete’s foot. It’s one of the most common fungal infections out there, and despite its name, you don’t have to be a professional athlete to get it.
You might have picked it up in the gym, by walking barefoot in the locker room, or even just by wearing tight shoes all day – whatever the case, it’s an irritating condition that continues to mystify many people. To that end, let’s clear a few things up about what athlete’s foot really is, how it spreads, and what you can do to mitigate it:
What Exactly Is Athlete’s Foot?
Athlete’s foot, also known as tinea pedis, is a fungal infection that thrives in warm, damp environments. The fungus that is responsible for this condition loves places like sweaty socks, tight shoes, and moist locker room floors. When it gets cozy on your skin, it causes redness, peeling, itching, and sometimes even painful cracks between your toes.
A lot of people confuse athlete’s foot with dry skin or eczema, but it’s actually an infection caused by fungi known as dermatophytes. These are the very same troublemakers that cause other skin conditions such as ringworm and jock itch. The only difference is the location on your body where it’s chosen to take root.
How Do You Get Athlete’s Foot?
Here’s some news that may be disheartening: the fungus spreads pretty easily. If you’ve ever walked barefoot in a public shower, shared shoes, or worn sweaty socks for too long, you’ve created the perfect opportunity for it to latch onto your skin. Athlete’s foot can also spread by touching contaminated towels, floors, or even pet fur – yes, animals can carry it, too!
Having said that, not everyone who comes into contact with the fungus will develop athlete’s foot. Some people are more prone than others, especially if their feet tend to stay moist or if they have small cuts or cracks in their skin.
Can Athlete’s Foot Spread to Hands?
Because of the name, it can be easy to assume that athlete’s foot would, well, limit itself to one’s feet. Contrary to popular belief, though, the short answer to the question “can athlete’s foot spread to hands?” is yes, it absolutely can. But how?
It usually happens when someone scratches or touches the infected area on their feet and then doesn’t wash their hands properly. The fungus can then transfer to the skin of the hands, leading to what’s called tinea manuum. If you’ve ever noticed dry, flaky, itchy patches on your palms or between your fingers after dealing with athlete’s foot, it might not just be “dry skin”. It could be the fungus spreading.
To prevent this from happening, make sure that you wash your hands thoroughly after touching your feet, especially after applying antifungal cream. Some people also use disposable gloves when treating infected areas to avoid spreading the fungus elsewhere on their body.
Common Symptoms of Athlete’s Foot That Shouldn’t Be Ignored
Athlete’s foot doesn’t always look the same for everyone. The most common signs are itching and peeling skin between the toes, but it can also show up as redness, blisters, or thickened, scaly patches. Sometimes the infection spreads to the toenails, causing them to become yellow, brittle, and hard to trim.
The tricky part is that mild cases can sometimes be mistaken for dry skin or irritation. That’s why it’s key to pay attention to persistent itching, burning sensations, or unusual rashes on your feet. If these symptoms linger for more than a week without improving, it’s worth treating as athlete’s foot.
How to Treat Athlete’s Foot
Good news: athlete’s foot is usually easy to treat, especially if you catch it early. There are plenty of over-the-counter remedies such as anti-fungal sprays that you can get, or you can turn to products specifically designed to treat athlete’s foot like the ones we offer here at Dr. Anti Fungus, namely our Hand + Foot Soak and Hand + Foot Spray.
The Dr. Anti Fungus Hand + Foot Soak is a physician-developed soaking solution that treats fungal infections on the hands, feet, and nails. It offers soothing relief and contains tolnaftate, a powerful antifungal agent that stops fungal growth at the source.
The Dr. Anti Fungus Hand + Foot Spray is the perfect complement to the Soak. It also contains tolnaftate and is an excellent on-the-go solution. Like the Soak, it kills fungi and prevents the infection from spreading.
When to See a Doctor
Thankfully, most cases of athlete’s foot can be handled at home. However, if your infection isn’t improving after a few weeks of treatment, it’s time to see a doctor. You should also seek medical help if you notice swelling, pus, or severe pain, as this could be signs of a secondary bacterial infection.
People with diabetes should also be extra cautious and get themselves checked out sooner rather than later as foot infections can lead to more serious complications.
Athlete’s foot is annoying, to be sure, but it’s nothing to be embarrassed about. The good news is that with the right care, it’s both treatable and preventable. If you’re suffering from athlete’s foot, consider the remedies we offer here at Dr. Anti Fungus. Explore our online store to view our collection of anti-fungal products now.