What is Athlete’s Foot?

Athlete’s foot is a common skin infection caused by the dermatophyte fungi which are the ringworm fungi (tinea). The infection can occur anywhere on the body but commonly infects the feet due to the warm, moist and dark environment. Breeding grounds for the fungus include swimming pools, showers, and locker rooms. The infection was common among athletes who use these facilities frequently and so the term “athlete’s foot” became popular. The truth is you do not have to be an athlete to get athlete’s foot, in fact it is estimated that near 70% of the population will be infected with tinea pedis at some time in their lives.

Symptoms of Athlete’s Foot

There are three types of Athlete’s Foot.

Toe web infection

This is the most common type of athlete’s foot and usually occurs between the two smallest toes but can occur between any set of toes or all of them.

This type begins with skin that feels soft and moist and can have some itching and burning involved. It may get worse if not treated and can spread across the foot to other toes and start to move up the foot.

Moccasin-type Infection

A long lasting(chronic) infection. This may begin with minor irritation, dryness, itching and burning but will progress to a thickened, scaling, cracked and peeling skin on the sole of the foot or heel. In some severe cases the toenails become infected and can thicken, crumble and fall off. This type can also appear in the palm of a hand.

Vesicular Infection

This is the least common type of infection and begins with a sudden outbreak of large fluid filled areas under the skin. The blisters often develop on the skin of the instep but can also develop between the toes, on the heel or on the sole of top of the foot. Occasional reoccurrence can happen after the initial infection. The infection may occur in the same area or in another area such as the arms, chest or fingers. Scaly skin may be present between outbreaks.

Possible complications of Athlete’s Foot

The complications of athlete’s foot include the potential, if untreated, to spread to other parts of the body or other people mainly your family members. The fungus may spread to your legs, toenails, hands, fingernails, and essentially any body area.

Infection of bacteria can occur due to the injury of the skin by the fungus. The natural protective barrier is broken and bacteria and yeasts can enter and the broken skin and cause bad smell, or an inflammation known as cellulitis.

How to treat Athlete’s Foot

Treatments can be divided into two parts.

The first step in treatment is to make the infected area less suitable for the athletes foot fungus to grow. This means keeping the area clean and dry with good hygiene. Use cotton socks whenever possible and remove shoes and let the feet breathe.

The second part of treatment is the use of topical antifungal creams and external medications. Treatment should be continued for at least four weeks and performed daily.

Prevention of infections of athlete’s foot

Avoid walking barefoot in public showers, locker rooms, pool decks, etc. Sandals or some form of footwear should be worn at all times.

Do not share footware and avoid rental footwear, such as bowling shoes or roller skates.

If rental equipment is used or any of the conditions mentioned above unavoidable, clean and powder feet as soon as possible after the occurrence.

When to seek medical treatment for athlete’s foot

If the infection is not clearing up and increased swelling and redness or bleeding are present, see your health care practictioner. Bacterial infection may also be occurring which makes it necessary for an antibiotic pill to counteract the infection. If fungal nail is present or you are a diabetic or have a compromised immune system, you should also see your physician for treatment.

Doctors that treat athlete’s foot.

Dermatologists are skin disorder specialists and can treat athlete’s foot. Family medical physicians, pediatricians, podiatrists (foot doctors) and other practitioners may also treat this common infection.

What is cellulitis and what are the symptoms?

Cellulitis is a common bacterial infection of the lower layers of skin (dermis) and the subcutaneous tissues (areas underneath the skin). Cellulitis sometimes develops around wounds in the skin or surgical incisions. It usually begins as a small area of tenderness, redness and swelling. In other cases it arises without an obvious source for the bacterial infection. As the infection begins to enlarge, the person may develop a fever – sometimes with chills and sweats – and swollen lymph nodes near the infected area.

Who is at risk for cellulitis?

Anyone may develop cellulitis. However, people whose immune systems are weakened for any reason (including from chemotherapy for cancer or other immune-suppressing drugs) and those with diabetes are at highest risk for developing cellulitis.

Cellulitis may appear in areas where the skin has broken open, such as the skin near ulcers, such as those caused by athletes foot fungal problems. Surgical wounds can also create the conditions that allow the bacteria to enter the body. The infection can also occur in areas where there is no break in the skin at all, such as with chronic leg swelling (edema).

What causes cellulitis?

The majority of cases of cellulitis are caused by either staph (Staphylococcus) or strep (Streptococcus) bacteria.

Staph (Staphylococcus aureus) is the most common bacteria that causes cellulitis. There is a growing incidence of community-acquired infections due to methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), a particularly dangerous form of this bacteria that is resistant to many antibiotics and is more difficult to treat.

Strep (usually group A or B Streptococcus) is also a common cause of cellulitis. A form of rather superficial cellulitis caused by strep is called erysipelas; its conditions are characterized by spreading hot, bright red circumscribed area on the skin with a sharp raised border. Due to these factors it is sometimes referred to as the "flesh-eating bacteria" and are, in fact, also a strain of strep that can sometimes rapidly destroy tissues.

Cellulitis can be caused by many other types of bacteria.

1. In children under 6 years of age, H. flu (Hemophilus influenzae) bacteria can cause cellulitis, especially on the face, arms, and upper torso.




2. Cellulitis from a dog or cat bite or scratch may be caused by the Pasteurella multocida bacteria, which has a very short incubation period of only four to 24 hours.




3. Aeromonas hydrophilia, Vibrio vulnificus, and other bacteria are causes of cellulitis that develops after exposure to freshwater or seawater.




4. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is another type of bacteria that can cause cellulitis, typically after a puncture wound.

Is cellulitis contagious?

Cellulitis is not contagious because it is an infection of the skin’s deeper layers and the skin’s top layer provides a cover over the infection.

Where does cellulitis occur?

Cellulitis may occur anywhere on the body, but the legs and feet are the most common site of the infection, followed by the arms, and then the head and neck areas. In special circumstances, such as following surgery or trauma wounds, cellulitis can develop in the abdomen or chest areas. In cases of morbid obesity, it can also develop in the abdominal area.

How is cellulitis treated

First, it is critical for the doctor to distinguish whether or not the inflammation is due to an infection. This can be difficult at times with many cases of cellulitis because the concentration of bacteria may be low and cultures fail to show the cause of the problem.

When it proves difficult to distinguish whether or not the inflammation is due to an infection, doctors sometimes treat with antibiotics just to be sure. If the condition does not respond, it may need to be addressed by different methods dealing with types of inflammation that are not infected.

Antibiotics, such as derivatives of penicillin or other types of antibiotics that are effective against the responsible bacteria, are used to treat cellulitis. If the bacteria turn out to be resistant to the chosen antibiotics or in patients who are allergic to penicillin, other appropriate antibiotics can be substituted. In many cases, treatment requires the administration of intravenous antibiotics in a hospital setting, since oral antibiotics may not always provide sufficient penetration of the injury to be effective. In certain cases, intravenous antibiotics can be administered at home.

Athlete’s foot also known as tinea pedis, a form of ringworm, is usually a mild fungal skin infection. However, the foot fungus can cause tiny cracks in the skin between the toes. Bacteria may then get under the skin and travel up to cause a cellulitis in the calf (but without an apparent infection of the foot).

The cellulitis can be treated, but it may recur if the athlete’s foot is not also treated. Unless athlete’s foot is looked for, it can easily be missed as the source of the problem. Some people have two, three or more bouts of cellulitis before it is realized that the infection in the leg is due to the minor skin cracks and fungal infection between the toes! People more prone to cellulitis such as those with swollen legs and the obese should be careful to treat any athlete’s foot promptly. Itchiness between the toes is the first sign of athlete’s foot.