Athlete's Foot

Athlete's foot is a fungal infection of the skin of the foot, usually between the toes, caused by parasitic fungi.

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, animals or may come from the soil. 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.

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.

Since the fungus thrives in a moist warm environment keeping the feet dry and cool can cure the infection. It is recommended to wear open sandals, or even better barefoot as much as possible. However avoid walking barefoot in warm moist environments since you may infect other people, and allowing your feet to stay wet can help the fungus grow. Keep the feet clean- but make sure they are fully dry after washing them. This may require showering in the evening instead of the morning, and staying barefoot afterwards. Change socks daily, and try to alternate shoes on different days, to allow the shoes to fully dry out. Placebo controlled studies report that good foot hygiene alone can cure athlete's foot even without medication in 30-40% of the cases.

...More at Wikipedia 

Related Links:

• US National Library of Medicine
• Mayo Clinic

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