• Login
  • Contact
  • COVID-19
  • Share
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Vimeo
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
MedcorMedcorMedcorMedcor
  • About
    • Medcor Health Navigation
    • Leadership
    • Wellness
    • Mission, Vision and Values
  • Services
    • Clinics
    • Telehealth
    • Safety
    • Health Security
  • Resources
    • Health Tips
    • Insights
    • Technology
  • Careers
    • Culture
    • Equal Employment and Diversity

Happy Feet (are Fungus-Free)

    Home Health Tips Happy Feet (are Fungus-Free)
    Next Previous
    Happy Feet (are Fungus-Free)

    Happy Feet (are Fungus-Free)

    By Ashley Clay, MSPAS, PA-C, Medcor Provider | Comments are Closed | 18 September, 2019 0

    What is Athlete’s Foot?

    You have likely heard of ringworm, “jock itch,” and athlete’s foot, but did you know that these skin conditions are caused by a group of fungi that live on skin, hair, and nails—collectively referred to as tinea or dermatophytes?

    Fungal skin infection on the foot or feet is called athlete’s foot. This infection causes red, itchy, and scaling/peeling patches of skin, commonly seen between toes and on the bottom and/or sides of feet. The feet are particularly susceptible because fungus loves warm, moist environments—your shoes combined with sweaty feet and socks result in a perfect host.

    The name athlete’s foot is misleading—many incorrectly assume only athletes and men suffer from this condition, but that is not the case. It is true that the fungus responsible is commonly found in places where athletes frequent, such as locker rooms and showers; however, anyone (not just athletes) exposed to the fungus can develop athlete’s foot. It is contagious and easily spread in a variety of ways:

    • Person to person (skin-to-skin).
    • Contaminated object to person (including floors, showers, towels, socks, and shoes).
    • Animal to person.

    Yes, that is correct—If pets have ringworm, they can spread the fungus to you by personal contact or by contact with common areas in the house (and when the fungus infects the feet, it causes athlete’s foot). You can even spread athlete’s foot to other areas of your own body (hands, nails, and groin) when your hands, clothes, or bedding come in contact with the infected area. It is important to avoid scratching and to practice good hand hygiene.

    Risk factors for developing athlete’s foot include:

    • Wearing damp socks or tight-fitting shoes.
    • Wearing socks and/or shoes that cause your feet to sweat.
    • Sharing socks, shoes, or towels with others.
    • Contact with contaminated surfaces and/or walking barefoot in public areas (such as floors in locker rooms, pool areas, saunas, showers).
    • Not wearing gloves nor washing your hands after handling a pet infected with ringworm.

    Signs and symptoms associated with athlete’s foot include:

    • Red, scaling, and itching rash that typically starts between the toes (symptoms can also be present on the soles or sides of the feet).
    • Cracked and peeling skin.
    • Itching that is worse after you take off your shoes and socks.
    • Burning and stinging pain.
    • Blisters or ulcers can also be present in more severe cases.
    • One or both feet may be affected (the rash can spread to other parts of your body).

    Treatment

    The good news is athlete’s foot typically responds well to over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal creams, lotions, or powders for home treatment. It may take 2-4 weeks of treatment with OTC medication for your symptoms to resolve; follow the application instructions provided on the package. Common OTC products include:

    • Clotrimazole (Lotrim)
    • Terbinafine (Lamisil—this OTC treatment appears to be the most effective)

    If the symptoms persist or if you have diabetes, make an appointment with your healthcare provider. Prescription-strength anti-fungal medication may be required.

    During treatment it is important to take the following measures:

    • Avoid swimming or walking barefoot in public areas.
    • Air out your shoes by alternating them every 2-3 days.
    • Wear sandals.
    • Avoid scratching.

    Prevention

    Now that you are aware of causes, risk factors, and treatment options, see below for tips on ways to prevent athlete’s foot and keep your feet happy.

    • Keep your feet clean and dry: Dry between your toes following a shower.
    • Change your socks frequently: If you have particularly sweaty feet, change your socks twice daily.
    • Wear shoes that do not cause your feet to sweat or become hot (such as rubber or vinyl shoes)
    • Avoid walking barefoot in public areas: Consider waterproof shoes or sandals.
    • Avoid sharing socks, shoes, and towels.
    • Be aware socks made from cotton or wool tend to hold moisture (and thus help create the damp environment that fungus loves).
    • If your pet has ringworm—
      • Wash your hands immediately after handling your pet.
      • Wear gloves if handling a pet with ringworm.
      • Vacuum areas where your infected pet traveled.
    • Disinfect areas the pet occupied, including bedding—this kills spores that spread the fungus (example of disinfectant: diluted bleach + water (1/4 cup per one gallon of water)).

    What are the terms used for different fungal infections on other parts of the body?

    • Feet = Tinea pedis (athlete’s foot)
    • Groin = Tinea cruris (“jock itch”)
    • Scalp = Tinea capitis
    • Areas of the body other than the feet, groin, or scalp = Tinea corporis

    This article is not intended to diagnose or treat any condition or to give medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for healthcare instructions. External links are provided as references and do not indicate an endorsement by Medcor. External links are subject to other sites’ terms of use and privacy policies.


    1 “Myths & Facts About Athlete’s Foot,” WebMD.

    2 Ibid.

    3 Ibid.

    4 Mayo Clinic, “Athlete’s Foot.”

    5 Ibid.

    6 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Treatment for Ringworm,” Fungal Diseases.

    7 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Athlete’s Foot (tinea pedis),” Hygiene-related Diseases.

    8 Ibid.

    9 See “Myths & Facts About Athlete’s Foot,” “Athlete’s Foot,” and “Treatment for Ringworm,” above.

    Authored by: Ashley Clay

    Share
    athlete's foot, Clotrimazole, feet, fungi, fungus, jock itch, Lamisil, ringworm, Terbinafine

    Ashley Clay, MSPAS, PA-C, Medcor Provider

    More posts by Ashley Clay, MSPAS, PA-C, Medcor Provider

    Related Post

    • The Dangers of Concrete Burns

      The Dangers of Concrete Burns

      By Thomas Eiseman

      Dr. Thomas Eiseman from Clinical Affairs talks with Christian “Crash” Neubauer, a Clinic Manager about the dangers of concrete burns experienced by construction workers.

      Share

    • Does Your Company Use Ladders Last?

      Use Ladders Last!

      By Danielle Olipra

      The “Ladders Last” program is a program built to prevent falls and save lives by reducing the use of ladders overall, and education on ladder safety for when you do need a ladder.

      Share

    • Decompression Sickness

      Decompression Sickness

      By Kristen Tekin, PA-C, Medcor Provider

      Decompression sickness (DCS) can occur anytime someone transitions too suddenly from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure.

      Share

    • June is National Safety Month

      June is National Safety Month

      By Danielle Olipra

      June is National Safety Month, and Medcor is thinking about all the hard workers we support with safety services. Read about National Safety Month, learn about workplace injuries, and see how you can make a difference and stay safe at work.

      Share

    • Mindfulness and Meditation for Mental Health

      Mindfulness and Meditation for Mental Health

      By Danielle Olipra

      Mindfulness and meditation are two practices that anyone can use to improve their mood and outlook.

      Share

    NextPrevious

    Health Tip Updates

    Recent Posts

    • The Dangers of Concrete Burns
    • Use Ladders Last!
    • Decompression Sickness
    • June is National Safety Month
    • Mindfulness and Meditation for Mental Health
    Medcor
    Medcor provides health navigation through integrated services that include onsite and mobile clinics, injury triage, telemedicine, and safety staffing and training. Medcor helps employers and their employees navigate the complexities of healthcare to achieve better physical and financial outcomes across the United States and Canada.

    Recent Health Tips

    • The Dangers of Concrete BurnsThe Dangers of Concrete Burns
      June 23, 2022
    • Does Your Company Use Ladders Last?Use Ladders Last!
      June 15, 2022
    • Decompression SicknessDecompression Sickness
      June 8, 2022

    Insights

    • Zero ToleranceZero Tolerance: A Failed Paradigm
      February 24, 2022
    • Work-from-Home Ergonomic Considerations for EmployersWork-from-Home Ergonomic Considerations for Employers
      November 9, 2021
    • EXECUTIVE PHYSICIAN CONSULTING SERVICESHealthier Business: Executive Physician Consulting Services
      September 8, 2021

    Contact Us

    HQ Location
    4805 Prime Parkway
    McHenry, IL 60050

    Postal Address
    P.O. Box 550
    McHenry, IL 60051

    Call

    HQ: (815) 363-9500
    Sales: (888) 295-5180
    Media: (815) 759-5442

    Email

    Sales: sales@medcorhealth.com
    Job Inquiry: recruiters@medcorhealth.com
    Media: media@medcorhealth.com
    Website Manager: websupport@medcorhealth.com
    Copyright©2022 Medcor, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Legal Notices: Copyrights, Trademarks, Patents, Terms of Use & Privacy | English Spanish. Healthcare Privacy Policy | EnglishSpanish
    • About
      • Medcor Health Navigation
      • Leadership
      • Wellness
        • Eat Real Food
        • Get Your Sleep
        • Handle Your Hygiene
        • Mind Your Happiness
      • Mission, Vision and Values
    • Services
      • Clinics
      • Telehealth
      • Safety
      • Health Security
    • Resources
      • Health Tips
      • Insights
      • Technology
    • Contact
      • Existing Customer Services
      • General Information
      • Job Inquiries
      • Media & Public Relations
    • Careers
      • Culture
      • Equal Employment and Diversity
      • Interview and Hiring Process FAQs
      • Apply
    • COVID-19
    Medcor