Posts Tagged ‘Athletes Foot’
Identifying and Treating Athletes Foot
July 29th, 2009 | Author: admin
Athletes foot is a fungal infection, known as Tinea Pedis, that grows in damp sweaty environments. This is a common condition that occurs in many runners that can be very irritating to deal with. The infection commonly causes itching, stinging, and burning between toes, as well as peeling, cracking and blistering skin on the feet. This fungal infection is common in runners as well as many other athletes (hence it’s name) because of the environment it grows in.
The fungus that causes athletes foot can be found on damp contaminated surfaces such as in locker rooms, bathrooms, and pool areas. It is also contagious, so if a family member has the infection, it can remain on surfaces to infect others. Athletes foot grows rapidly between toes since it is a moist and warm area. Runners who pick up athletes foot will then put on socks and shoes and run causing an even more ideal environment for the fungus to grow in since your feet become even more warm and sweaty. Add to that the hot and humid weather in Houston, TX and you have the ideal circumstances for the fungus to thrive. There are a couple of things you can do to prevent getting athletes foot. Always wear flip-flops or shower shoes when bathing in public facilities and in bathrooms that you share with someone who has athletes foot. Whenever you get out of the shower or pool make sure you dry between each toe to eliminate excess moisture that Athletes foot can thrive in. Socks that are 100% cotton cause your feet to stay damp when you sweat. You should purchase socks made of a synthetic fiber that can pull excess moisture away from the foot. Two popular brands are CoolMax and DryMax. Read the rest of this entry »