Paravex Athlete's Foot (Tinea Pedis) by Selmedica Healthcare| Athlete's Foot Explained

thlete's Foot

(

inea pedis

)

"Athlete's Foot (tinea pedis)"

Alternative names

Tinea pedis; Fungal infection - feet; Tinea of the foot; Infection -

fungal - feet; Ringworm - foot

Definition

Athlete's foot is an infection of the feet caused by fungus. The medical term is

tinea pedis. Athlete's foot may last for a short or long time and may come back

after treatment.

Causes

The body normally hosts a variety of saprotrophic microorganisms, including bacteria

and fungi. Some of these are useful to the body. Pathogenic or disease causing

organisms or the overgrowth of saprotrophic ones can multiply rapidly and cause

infection. Athlete's foot is a layman's description of a skin fungal infection. Fungal

infections of the skin are called dermatophytosis. Dermatophytes may be spread

from other humans (anthropophilic), animals (zoophilic) or may come from the soil

(geophilic). Anthropophillic dermatophytes are restricted to human hosts and produce

a mild, chronic inflammation. Zoophilic organisms are found primarily in animals and

cause marked inflammatory reactions in humans who have contact with infected cats,

dogs, cattle, horses, birds, or other animals. Geophilic species are usually recovered

from the soil but occasionally infect humans and animals. They cause a marked

inflammatory reaction, which limits the spread of the infection and may lead to a

spontaneous cure but may also leave scars. Infections or infestations occur when

dermatophytes grow and multiply in the skin.

Symptoms

Athlete's foot causes scaling, flaking and itching of the affected skin. Blisters and

cracked skin may also occur, leading to exposed raw tissue, pain, swelling, and

inflammation. The infection can be spread to other areas of the body, such as the

armpits, knees, elbows, and the groin, and usually is called by a different name

once

it spreads (such as jock itch or tinea cruris for an infection of the skin and groin).

Signs and tests

The diagnosis is based primarily on the appearance of your skin. If tests are performed,

they may include:

Skin culture (fungi from flecks of skin are able to grow in the lab)
Skin lesion biopsy (examination may show fungus under the microscope)
Skin lesion KOH exam (skin scrapings in KOH show fungus under

the microscope)

Treatments

The infection is often treated with topical antifungal agents such as miconazole,

itraconazole, terbinafine and a keratolytic such as salicylic acid. Topical agents only

clear the infection about 30% of the time and provide mycologic cures (absence of

organisms) less than 15% of the time. The time line for cure may be long, often 45

days or longer. However, because the itching associated with the infection subsides

quickly, patients may not complete the courses of therapy prescribed. Washing socks,

underwear and bed clothes at 60C or 140F will also help prevent any reinfection.

Some topical applications such as Castellani's Paint, often used for intertrigo, work well

but in small selected areas. Carbol Fuscin Red dye used in this treatment like many other

vital stains is both fungicidal and bacteriocidal; however, because of the staining are

cosmetically undesirable. For many years gentian violet was also used for interdigital

and other bacterial and fungal infections.

Oral treatment with griseofulvin was begun early in the 1950s. Because of the tendency

to cause liver problems and to provoke aplastic anemia the drugs were used cautiously

and sparingly. Over time it was found that those problems were due to the size of the

crystal in the manufacturing process and microsize and now ultramicrosize crystals are

available with few of the original side effects. Oral treatment provides long lasting

mycologic cure.

If the fungal invader is not a dermatophyte but a yeast, other medications such as

fluconazole may be used. Typically diflucan is used for candidal vaginal infections

moniliasis but has been shown to be of benefit for those with cutaneous yeast infections

as well. The most common of these infections occur in the web spaces (intertriginous)

and at the base of the fingernail or toenail. The hall mark of these infections is a cherry

red color surrounding the lesion and a yellow thick pus.

Undecylenic acid (Castor oil derivative) is an effective fungicide for fungal skin infections

such as athlete's foot.

Homeopathic Treatments

Users report instant relief from itching after topical application of homeopathic treatment

containing Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca Oil) or crocodile oil, allowing lesions to heal due to

the cessation of scratching the itch. These all natural solutions are

growing in popularity

due to

their gentle nature and lack of side effects. The proponents of these types of

treatment swear by

their effectiveness

.(See Paravex Above)

Urine therapy

Proponents of urine therapy claim that urine is very effective at killing athlete's foot.

Urea, the "active ingredient" in urine, is already used in many drugs and treatments

made by pharmaceutical companies to treat athlete's foot. This controversial treatment

method recommends urinating on the infected area once a day in the shower. According

to supporters, urine therapy not only kills existing fungi, it prevents new fungi from

growing in the infected area.

One biochemist states that urea is only used to soften the outer layers of skin so that

antifungal drugs can reach fungi below the surface, and that the urea must be

concentrated and applied for a long period of time in order to be effective. According

to another article about high-concentration urea cream, the compound is used to

"dissolve proteins and [as a] denaturant. The ability of urea to macerate [tissue] has

been attributed to a 'proteolytic effect', but others attribute the maceration to the

hydrating properties of urea."This use requires a high concentration of urea, up to

40%, and extended exposure. Urea itself without the presence of an additional

antifungal drug is not referred to in scholarly literature as having antifungal properties.

Thus, it is unlikely that urinating on one's feet in the shower will significantly improve

a case of athlete's foot.

Expectations (prognosis)

Athlete's foot infections range from mild to severe and may last a short or long time.

They may persist or recur, but they generally respond well to treatment. Long-term

medication and preventive measures may be needed.

Complications

Recurrence of athlete's foot
Secondary bacterial skin infections such as cellulitis
Lymphangitis, lymphadenitis
Systemic side effects of medications

Calling your health care provider

Call your doctor right away if:

Your foot is swollen and warm to the touch, especially if there are red streaks.

These are signs of a possible bacterial infection. Other signs include pus or

other discharge and fever.

You have diabetes and develop athlete's foot.
Also call your doctor if athlete's foot symptoms do not go away within one

month of using self-care measures.

Prevention

To prevent athlete's foot, follow these measures:

Dry your feet thoroughly after bathing or swimming.
Wear sandals or flip-flops at a public shower or pool.
Change your socks often to keep your feet dry. This should be done at

least once a day.

Use antifungal or drying powders to prevent athlete's foot if you are

susceptible to getting it, or you frequent areas where athlete's foot fungus

is common (like public showers).

Wear shoes that are well ventilated and, preferably, made of natural

material such as leather. It may help to alternate shoes each day, so

they can dry completely between wearings.

Avoid plastic-lined shoes.

References

Wikipedia and Selmedica Healthcare

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