Athlete`s foot, also called tinea pedis is a fungal infection of the skin which occurs between the toes and is caused by parasitic fungi. It is a common continual infection of the foot which is caused by a microscopic fungus which thrives on dead tissues of hair, toe nail and outer skin. The fungi can survive in warm and moist environments like swimming pools, public showers, shoes etc. It is transmitted through any abrasion or cut on the bottom of the foot. In a rare case it can transmit from infected animals to human beings.

It results in raised, rounded pimples or blisters that resemble the lesions which are caused by ringworm. This infection derives its name from the part of the body it affects.

Cause

The human body hosts a variety of saprophytic microorganisms which includes bacteria and fungi.  Sometimes disease causing organisms multiply and they cause infection.  Fungal infections of the skin are referred to as dermatophytosis. They could either be spread through humans, animals or soil. As human beings started wearing shoes, this infection spread quickly in them and is now frequently found in adolescents and adults. It is caused by a fungus called dermatophyte. It can be contracted by sharing shoes of an infected person or in a moist environment or from pets that carry the fungus on their fur.

Symptoms

The symptoms of athlete`s foot include scaling and itching of the infected skin. It may also result in blisters and cracked skin which leads to pain, exposed raw tissue, inflammation and swelling. This infection can extend to other parts of the body like armpits and groin. As the infection advances, the skin turns soft and the center of the infection turns inflamed and sensitive to touch. Slowly, the edges of the infected area turn milky white and the skin starts peeling. There might even be a watery discharge.

Treatment

It is difficult to treat athlete`s foot and it often reoccurs. Before the fungal infection establishes itself firmly one should undertake proper treatment. Antifungal drugs are used for fighting infection. Generally the infection is treated with topical antifungal agents like itraconazole, keratolytic, miconazole and terbinafine. These agents clear the infection only about thirty percent of the time and provide mycologic cures less than fifteen percent of the time. It takes about fort five days or even longer to treat athlete`s foot. Usually it happens that as soon as the infection subsides, patients may stop the treatment which should not be done. Topical applications like Castellani’s Paint are quite effective but it works well in selected areas only.