The feet are one of the most important parts of our body. They keep us upright, allow us to walk and provide us with balance. For this reason, we are going to learn in depth about a fairly common pathology that we must take care of.
Athlete's foot... We are going to delve into its causes, symptoms and possible solutions in the form of treatments.
Etymology and synonyms: The word foot comes from the Latin pes, pedis The word athlete comes from the Latin athlēta, which in turn comes from the Greek ἀθλητής meaning sportsman. Which gives us to understand that this pathology is called this because often the fungus that causes it can be found where athletes usually are. This fungus grows on warm and humid surfaces around swimming pools, in public showers and locker rooms. It is called Trichophyton rubrum .
Some synonyms for athlete's foot can be tinea cruris and tinea pedis Tinea pedis. This fungus was first discovered by Malmsten in 1845. Trichophyton colonies grow slowly to moderately quickly. The color of the front can be white, light yellowish beige, or reddish violet. This fungus is also the most common cause of nail infections.
Definition: Athlete's foot is a fungal infection of the skin that usually begins between the toes. It usually occurs in people who sweat a lot on their feet or have direct contact with surfaces that have this fungus on them. It is quite contagious and the infection can spread and cause great discomfort, itching, and even pain.
Symptoms and diagnosis: Athlete's foot can affect one or both feet. Common signs and symptoms include:
• Flaky, cracked, or blistered skin that peels between the toes
• Itching, especially right after removing shoes and socks
• Inflamed skin that may appear red Diagnostic tests: Often, the diagnosis is incorrect, as sometimes it is actually another condition that is not caused by athlete's foot, followed by incorrect treatment, which can even make the problem worse. Therefore, it is important to see a doctor.
Correct diagnosis must be preceded by a complete medical history. Take scraping samples from the affected area, to perform a direct examination for hyphae characteristic of the fungus. Examine in specialized laboratories to identify the severity of the fungus.
Etiology, causes and risk factors: Damp socks and shoes, warm conditions and humidity can promote the proliferation of these organisms. Athlete's foot is contagious and can spread through contact with an infected person or contaminated surfaces, such as towels, floors, and shoes. You can also spread it from your foot to other parts of your body, especially if you scratch or touch infected parts of your foot. You are at higher risk for athlete's foot if you:
• Wear closed-toe shoes frequently and sweat a lot
• Share carpets, rugs, bedding, or shoes with someone who has a fungal infection
• Walk barefoot in public areas where the infection can spread, such as locker rooms, saunas, swimming pools, communal bathrooms, and showers
Treatment and therapies: Keep your feet clean and dry by drying them with a separate towel. Antifungal treatments are available in most pharmacies, including sprays, powders or lotions to apply to the feet, and can also be used orally, since topical treatment makes it difficult to completely eliminate the dermatophyte, with 65% of patients experiencing the disease again within two years. Another determining factor to consider in treatment is how the immune system reacts. Those who develop delayed hypersensitivity to the dermatophyte end up curing themselves.
Conclusions: First of all, it is important to know from the origin, to how to prevent it, so that we can take the appropriate care in open spaces or when sharing our belongings. We are going to give you some tips that can help you avoid athlete's foot or not infect other people:
• Wash your feet daily. Use warm, soapy water and rinse and dry your feet thoroughly, especially between the toes. Apply a medicated foot powder.
• Change your socks regularly. Change your socks at least once a day and more often if your feet sweat a lot. Moisture-wicking socks, such as cotton socks, help keep your feet drier than nylon socks.
• Rotate pairs of shoes. Wear a different pair of shoes each day. This way, your shoes will have time to dry after each use.
• Protect your feet in public places. Wear sandals or waterproof shoes around public pools, showers, and locker rooms. The power to effectively change our lives is in our hands, starting with taking care of ourselves and others.
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