Foot Fungus: That Nasty Bug Tinea Pedis

Tinea Pedis, commonly referred to as Athlete’s Foot or Ringworm, is a common ailment of the summer time. Tinea Pedis is a fungus that affects people’s feet. The fungus loves wet, warm areas such as in between the toes or inside a person’s shoes. It is important that when you are stepping out of the shower that you dry your feet thoroughly, especially in between your toes. If you are a person who tends to have very sweaty feet, it is important to change into dry, clean socks regularly and to keep your shoes clean with a shoe disinfectant. Athlete’s foot is an extremely contagious fungus, so it is necessary to wear shower sandals to prevent picking it up in public showers.

Athlete’s Foot is a condition that has specific symptoms. Typically these include cracked, flaking, peeling skin between the toes or on the side of the foot. There can also be red and itchy skin, a pain that is burning in sensation, like your feet are on fire and there may be some pus filled bumps that form on your feet. Sometimes evidence of athlete’s foot will travel to your nails causing them to become yellow and disfigured.

The treatment of athlete’s foot is pretty straightforward. Sometimes, your podiatrist may want to take a skin biopsy or culture if you have had this ailment for a long time. This is to ensure that the bug you are dealing with is in fact athlete’s foot. Once it is determined that athlete’s foot is in fact what is affecting you. There are several over the counter drugs that contain –azoles, a fungus fighting group of drugs. You need to keep using the medicine for about 2 weeks, consistently. If these do not work, then there are prescription drugs that are available from your podiatrist, these include stronger anti-fungal prescriptions than what are available in the drugstore. It is very important that you continue to keep your feet dry, wash them thoroughly and keep your socks dry while treating them as well as afterwards.

If you or someone you know in the Methuen, Lowell, North Andover, Tewksbury, or Boston, Massachusetts area and you have any of the symptoms of athlete’s foot, our office staff would be more than happy to help you schedule an appointment. Dr. Wachtel can help you determine exactly what is causing your symptoms and help you to cure the condition.