Athlete's Foot Specialist

What is athlete's foot?

Athlete's foot is a fungal skin infection affecting your feet. The fungus that causes athlete's foot grows in warm and wet areas, such as public swimming pools and locker rooms. Your shoes can also be a breeding ground for the fungal organisms that cause athlete’s foot. 

What are the symptoms of athlete's foot?

The most common symptoms of athlete's foot include:

• Red skin
• Itching
• Burning
• Blisters
• Dry skin
• Scaly skin
• Cracked skin
• Skin swelling 

Athlete's foot usually starts between your toes but can also occur on the sides of the feet or in other areas. 

If you don't treat athlete's foot, it can worsen from a mild skin irritation to a painful rash with oozing blisters, cracked skin, and even a secondary bacterial infection. 

If you scratch, rub, or otherwise irritate skin affected by athlete's foot, you can spread the infection across your skin or even to your nails. Within your nails, the infection is called nail fungus. 

How is athlete's foot diagnosed?

At Cedar Grove Foot & Ankle Specialists, Dr. Wachtler examines your rash carefully and discusses your symptoms. 

Because athlete's foot can sometimes look similar to other conditions such as eczema or psoriasis, Dr. Wachtler may take a small scraping of skin cells for a skin lesion potassium hydroxide test. 

That chemical kills healthy cells, leaving the fungal organisms behind so Dr. Wachtler can diagnose them through a microscopic examination. 

How is athlete's foot treated?

Athlete's foot treatment may include:

• Prescription antifungal cream or ointment
• Prescription oral antifungal medication
• Powder to prevent skin maceration (damp skin that's vulnerable to damage)
• Anti-itch powder
• Antibiotics, if you have a secondary infection

Changing your foot hygiene regimen can also be important in treating and preventing athlete's foot. Dr. Wachtler may recommend changes such as wearing moisture-wicking socks and changing your shoes if they get damp. 

It's also important to wear shoes whenever you're in places such as public swimming pools, gym locker rooms, or saunas.

Athlete’s foot can return if you don’t treat it promptly and then take precautions to avoid a recurrence. At Cedar Grove Foot & Ankle Specialists, Dr. Wachtler uses the most proven athlete’s foot treatments to help you get healthy and back to your life without worry. 

Call the office or click online scheduling for athlete’s foot treatment today.