What is Athlete's Foot?
Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that’s highly contagious and can be spread through direct skin to skin contact as well as indirect contact. Athlete’s foot can be spread directly when an uninfected person touches the infected area of someone who has athlete’s foot. The condition can be spread indirectly through contaminated surfaces, clothing, socks, shoes, bed sheets, and towels.
What are the Signs of Athlete's Foot?
Those who are affected by athlete’s foot may experience symptoms such as cracking, dryness, flakiness, itchiness, redness, or scaliness of the skin of the foot or in between the toes. Oozing, crusting, swelling, and the formation of blisters are other symptoms that may arise due to athlete’s foot.
Where Can You Get Athlete's Foot?
Areas that are known to be damp, warm, or humid are commonly known to be more susceptible to carrying the fungal infection. With that being said, you should use caution around swimming pools and communal showers to avoid picking up athlete’s foot. If you know you have a weaker immune system, you should also be sure to use caution around these types of environments.
Does Athlete's Foot Need to be Treated?
If athlete’s foot goes untreated, there is a high risk that it may spread from toe to toe. With this in mind, it’s highly recommended that you call our office for a professional diagnosis. The over-the-counter treatments do not work, they are "fungistatic", not "fungicidal", meaning they do not kill the fungus, they just slow down the growth.
Athlete's Foot Treatement in Long Beach, California
We have strong fungicical medications in our office that work. We can give you information about treatment options that best suit your case. Call our office today if you think you have athlete's foot at (562) 429-5300.