HEALTH - Common Complaints - Athlete's Foot
What is Athlete's Foot?
Symptoms
Another annoying but not serious complaint common in young people is athlete’s foot. This complaint commonly causes severe itching or burning between the toes which leads to the skin becoming moist and splitting or flaking off. Strangely though, while many people find the condition irritating and even painful, many others have no discomfort what so ever and may not even be aware they have the condition. Athlete’s foot can also manifest itself as dry and peeling skin on the soles of the feet or the instep and sometimes the sides, and can even effect the hands.
Causes
It is caused by a fungal infection which thrives in warm and moist places and it is very easy to pick up. If someone who has it walks barefoot they can leave the fungus where they have walked, so swimming pools, locker rooms and gyms are often the cause of it spreading, no matter how careful the owners are, and how often the floors are disinfected It can also be picked by sharing a towel that a sufferer has used to dry there feet. The fungus can also be spread by direct contact with an infected foot. Considering this, it is quite easy to see how one person can spread athlete’s foot though an entire family in a very short space of time.(The same fungus is also responsible for the groin rash which often affects men and is often called "jock itch" or "dhobi rash")
Treatment &: Prevention
Although easy to pick up it is also very easy to treat. If it has spread to more than one member of the family, make sure all the people affected are treated or it will simply reappear, and remember that walking around bare foot after a bath or shower will only help to spread it. Wearing flip-flops in communal shower and changing areas can help and not sharing towels is also a good habit to get your children into.
If your child has athlete’s foot then once it has been treated good foot hygiene will help to stop it coming back. The feet should be washed daily and thoroughly dried. Socks should also be changed daily.
Different schools have different rules regarding athlete’s foot and swimming/PE etc especially if swimming lessons take place at public pools. If you’re in any doubt mention it to the staff of the school office and they will be pleased to advise you.
Many remedies are available from your pharmacist, who will be more than happy to help you select which one is the right one for you. Some only require one treatment to cure the problem, while others may need repeated applications. Powders are also available which help to keep athlete’s foot at bay and also help to improve general foot hygiene.
Other sources of Advice
For more advice on athlete’s foot and foot hygiene try the following web sites:
Alternatively, use the link on the home page to go straight to NHS Direct.