More than an exclusive technical feature of the great sports champions (as the name itself might suggest), the Athlete’s foot is an unpleasant pitfall for the feet of all athletes. See also: stink feet. The Athlete’s foot ( ringworm of the foot) is a contagious disease caused by a group of dermatophyte fungi. It belongs to the class of dermatomycosis or superficial mycoses that affect glabrous (hairless) skin. please comment thank u

1. PREPARED BY
MARTIN SHAJI
PHARM D
Athlete’s foot | Athlete’s Foot
Treatment | How to get rid of
Athlete’s foot

2. More than an exclusive technical feature of the great sports
champions (as the name itself might suggest), the Athlete’s foot is
an unpleasant pitfall for the feet of all athletes. See also: stink
feet.
The Athlete’s foot ( ringworm of the foot) is a contagious disease
caused by a group of dermatophyte fungi. It belongs to the class
of dermatomycosis or superficial mycoses that affect glabrous
(hairless) skin.
Introduction | definition

3. As my name implies, mycosis of the foot frequently affects athletes,
and especially those who attend public sports centres with hot and
humid climates (swimming pools, gyms, showers, etc.).

4. In fact, the transmission of the disease occurs by contact
thanks to small fragments of skin that detach from the
patient and disperse into the environment. This contagion
can be direct but also indirect, for example, through contact
with showers, platforms, floors, or other objects used by
people affected by mycosis.
The Athlete’s foot is a pathology spread all over the world and
is more frequently found in adults, the elderly, and male
subjects.

5. Athlete’s foot Causes and predisposing
factors | etiology .
Athlete’s foot is more likely to affect debilitated individuals whose
immune defences are unprepared to counteract the infection. Some
pathologies such as AIDS, diabetes, circulatory dysfunction, and
dermatitis can also favor the onset of the disease.
Alongside these endogenous factors are added other exogenous or
external ones, that are linked to environmental conditions. The
microorganisms that cause Athlete’s foot to proliferate in hot and
humid environments nesting in closed places such as sports shoes.
For this reason, the risk of infection increases considerably if one or
more of the following risk factors are present:

6. The weakening of the immune defences
Genetic factors (there is probably a genetic predisposition of the
subject to the infection)
Bad perspiration
Moisture build-up (wet socks or shoes)
The habit of walking barefoot in public places
Summer season and hot-humid environments
Inadequate footwear and hosiery (non-breathable synthetic materials)
Tight shoes

7. Fungal feet

8. Symptoms
Symptoms of Athlete’s Foot
The symptoms of Athlete’s foot are manifold. In the initial stages, the
infection affects the area between the toes (generally between the third
and fourth toes or between the fourth and fifth toes). It can subsequently
extend to the plant to the back and to the nails with a tendency to
chronicity. Favored by the heat and humidity resulting from excessive
sweating, the microorganisms responsible for the infection undermine the
superficial layers of the epidermis, giving rise to the characteristic
symptoms of the pathology:
Erythema, red and itchy skin
skin peeling, especially between the toes and the sole of the foot
skin thickening

9. formation of blisters with aqueous content most frequently localized on
the bottom of the foot and on the lateral edges of the toes
the appearance of skin cracks
smelly feet
more or less intense itching
thicker nails with a twisted appearance and with a tendency to weaken
until they tear and lose their natural coloring
If the pathology is not treated, bacterial cuts and super infections can
form. In fact, these microorganisms feed on keratin, a substance that
covers and protects not only the skin but also nails and hair. By
attacking the keratin that makes up the horny layer (outer) of the skin,
the fungi responsible for the Athlete’s foot, therefore, open the way for
other microorganisms causing states of deep infection.

10. Prevention
Since reinfections are possible after the cure of the disease, it is a
good rule that the primary prevention rules that we will see become
part of the regular hygiene habits of the subject.
Use breathable and light-colored footwear (breathable upper)
Daily hygiene of the feet taking care to dry the interdigital spaces
thoroughly and to remove any macerated layers
Replace your socks regularly and wash them in hot water
Allow the shoes to dry after use.

11. Use natural fabric socks (cotton, thread, etc.)
Apply antifungal creams to the foot, socks, and shoe
Do not walk barefoot or use other people’s shoes.
Avoid tight shoes
Carefully disinfect the floors if you own a public sports centre.
Always use slippers or sandals in bathrooms, changing rooms, or
public showers.
If you are affected by mycosis, you should avoid going to public
swimming pools in order not to transmit the infection to other
individuals.

12. Severe athletic foot

13. Treatment
Athlete’s foot Medicines to treat Ringworm of the Foot
To heal an athlete’s foot, there are specific treatments based on
drugs antifungals both for topical use (ointments, sprays, powders,
ointments, etc.), and systemic (by mouth).
The former, with rare exceptions, can be purchased without a
prescription and are indicated in case of superficial infections
without complications.

14. If this treatment fails, relapses occur, or the infection is particularly
extensive, we proceed to the oral surgery, certainly more effective
(healing within one / two weeks) but not without side effects such as
nausea, vomiting, and headache.
Even topical treatments can, in some cases, cause local irritations and
hypersensitivity reactions towards their components. When using these
products, it is good to respect some rules to promote healing:
wash carefully and dry the area to be treated

15. prefer creams in case of macerated skin by applying small
quantities until complete absorption of the drug
to avoid recurrence, especially in case of symptoms
reappearance, it is good to use antifungal powders to shoes and
socks.
Avoid scratching the affected area excessively as this could
delay healing
topical therapy requires quite long healing times (even a few
months), and it is good to prolong the treatment for at least a
week after complete recovery

16. Disease of foot

17. Seek advice from your primary care physician or pharmacist before
making hasty diagnoses
In any case, if the symptoms do not subside after a couple of weeks
of topical treatment, it is good to seek medical attention, both to
confirm the diagnosis and to avoid the prolongation of the
medications that are necessary with topical remedies.
Finally, among the natural remedies, we mention thyme, lavender,
propolis, and echinacea, which contain precious active principles
with antiseptic, disinfectant, and purifying action.