What Causes Athletes Foot

We are going to try to answer the question " what causes athletes foot ".  Most athlete's foot (tinea pedis) is caused by two types of fungus. Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Trichophyton rubrum. Trichophyton mentagrophytes causes blister type lesions. This athletes foot infection appears suddenly and is easily treated. Trichophyton rubrum is the more chronic type of athletes foot that is more difficult to treat. These fungi that cause athletes foot are actually microscopic and once contact is made live on the dead tissues of the foot hair, toenails and outer skin layers.

Athletes foot happens in people who have excessive sweating of the feet. It is much more common in the summer.  Athletes foot is very contagious. It is spread by direct contact (foot to foot) and can be picked up by walking where the fungus is. Athletes foot fungus likes to grow on damp surfaces like those in public showers and swimming pools. . Some people are more likely to get athletes foot than others and once you do get it you are prone to getting it again.  This is what causes athletes foot to come back again and again.

Symptoms of athletes foot are itching and burning. Your skin may peel and in more serious cases there may be some cracking, bleeding and pain as well. Athletes foot looks like red, dry, peeling skin on the soles of the feet. This rash is usually just on the soles of the feet. When this athletes foot rash is on the soles of the feet it is called "moccasin" type, when between the toes it's called "interdigital". The third type of athletes foot is inflammatory or blistering type.

Remember you do not have to be an athlete to get athletes foot. Some other common misconceptions about athletes foot are that women can't get it, that it goes away by itself, that only people with poor hygiene get, and that it cannot be cured. If left untreated the fungus can spread and complications such as secondary bacterial infections can occur. It is very important when treating athletes foot that you complete the entire course of treatment. Do not stop your treatment as soon as you see an improvement as this can lead to a reoccurrence.

There are several treatments for athletes foot available. There are over the counter creams which when used properly work well. Just make sure you follow the instructions carefully. There are also many over the counter powders for athletes foot, which are excellent treatments. The fungi that cause the athlete's foot like warm moist places to live. Powder helps keep the foot dry. If you do frequent public showers, pools or locker rooms wearing a pair of flip flops will help reduce your chances of getting athletes foot. Another simple treatment in the prevention of athletes foot is to change your socks frequently, especially before and after exercise.