The feet are one of the most important parts of our body. They keep us upright, allow us to walk, and provide balance. Therefore, we will explore in-depth a common pathology that we should take care of.
Athlete’s foot... We will dive deeper into its causes, symptoms, and possible solutions in the form of treatments.
Etymology and Synonyms: The word "foot" comes from the Latin "pes, pedis," and "athlete" comes from the Latin "athlēta," which itself comes from the Greek "ἀθλητής" meaning athlete. This tells us that this pathology is named so because the fungus that causes it is often found where athletes are. This fungus grows in warm, humid surfaces around pools, public showers, and locker rooms. It’s called Trichophyton rubrum.
Some synonyms for athlete's foot include tinea cruris, tinea, and tinea pedis. This fungus was first discovered by Malmsten in 1845. The growth of Trichophyton colonies is slow to moderately fast. The color of the lesion can be white, light beige, or reddish-purple. This fungus is also the most common cause of nail infections.
Definition: Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection of the skin that typically starts between the toes. It usually occurs in people with sweaty feet or those who have direct contact with surfaces that carry the fungus. It is highly contagious and can spread, causing discomfort, itching, and even pain.
Symptoms and Diagnosis: Athlete’s foot can affect one or both feet. Common signs and symptoms include:
Diagnostic tests: Often, the diagnosis is incorrect, as it may be another condition that is not athlete's foot, leading to incorrect treatment that may worsen the issue. Therefore, it's important to visit a doctor.
Correct diagnosis should follow a thorough medical history, along with scraping samples from the affected area for a direct examination to find characteristic fungal hyphae. Laboratory tests are also necessary to assess the severity of the infection.
Etiology, Causes, and Risk Factors: Wet socks and shoes, warm conditions, and humidity can promote the growth of these fungi. Athlete’s foot is contagious and can spread through contact with an infected person or contaminated surfaces such as towels, floors, and shoes. It can also spread from the feet to other parts of the body, especially if you scratch or touch infected areas of the feet.
You are at a higher risk of developing athlete’s foot if:
Treatment and Therapies: It is important to keep the feet clean and dry, drying them with a separate towel. Antifungal treatments are available in most pharmacies, including sprays, powders, or lotions to apply to the feet. Oral medications may also be used since complete elimination of the dermatophyte through topical treatment is difficult. Around 65% of patients experience a relapse within two years.
Another key factor in treatment is how the immune system reacts. Those who develop delayed hypersensitivity to the dermatophyte may heal on their own.
Conclusions: First and foremost, it’s important to understand the origin and how to prevent it so that we can take proper care in public spaces or when sharing personal belongings.
Here are some tips that can help you avoid athlete’s foot or prevent spreading it to others:
We have the power to improve our lives effectively by taking care of ourselves and others.
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