Tinea pedis, better known as athlete’s foot, is a common fungal infection primarily affecting the skin between the toes and the bottom of the foot. It is not exclusive to athlete’s as the name suggests, as it affects millions of people every year in the United States, with nearly 70-percent of the population developing it at some point.
The ideal environment in which athlete’s foot can be contracted are those that are moist, humid, and wet. The type of fungi that results in infection requiring Athletes Foot Treatment in Bolingbrook IL are found in swimming pools, locker rooms, gyms, spas, nail salons, and from contaminated clothing such as socks or shoes. It can also be spread from skin-to-skin contact and for the most part, is contracted by walking barefoot where an infected person walked.
Athletes foot can easily be diagnosed by medical professionals at clinics such as Suburban Foot & Ankle Associates in Bolingbrook IL. Typical signs may be flaking or peeling skin that appears to be simply dry skin. Varying intensity of itching and burning sensation may also be present and on occasion accompanied by cracked skin and bleeding. Other the other hand, some individuals never experience signs or symptoms but are still capable of spreading the infection.
Since there are many causes of rashes such as dermatitis, allergies, eczema, psoriasis, and yeast infections it is important to determine if the cause is a true fungal infection. Fungal infections that require Athletes Foot Treatment in Bolingbrook IL can be highly contagious, further evidence that a proper diagnosis is imperative, in part due to the high cure rate. A simple test often performed in the physician’s office can confirm the diagnosis in minutes. Small flakes of skin are examined under a microscope in a preparation of potassium hydroxide.
Common Athletes Foot Treatment in Bolingbrook IL include changing footwear to socks that wick away moisture such as cotton and wearing breathable shoes. The use of medicated powders or soaking one’s feet in aluminum acetate, which dries the skin, may prove helpful. Many individuals have found that soaking the feet for ten minutes in a dilute vinegar bath aids in treatment as well. In addition to the above measures, using antifungal washes and creams, is highly recommended. Treatment regimens should continue for a minimum of four weeks and for at least one week after signs and symptoms have abated.
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