Athlete’s Foot Symptoms And The Low Down On Why It Happens
Often beginning as a rash, Athlete’s Foot usually appears in the spaces between your fourth and fifth toes, which can – if left untreated – spread to the bottom sides of your feet and around the toenails.
Athlete’s foot symptoms include dry, flaky, scaly and cracked skin, blisters, swelling and a burning or stinging sensation, most commonly if the infection is left untreated.
So what is it?
Athlete’s foot is often misdiagnosed due to the common misperception that it is only athletes who can contract it.
On the contrary; the fungus that causes the infection itself, can be found in areas where athletes often reside; swimming pools, public showers, and locker rooms. People walk barefoot on these surfaces and may transfer the fungus onto their feet.
Fungus? That sounds hazardous…
Maybe so, but we all have fungi present not only on our skin, but also inside our bodies – these fungi can be both good and bad – but most are harmless until conditions change.
In the case of Athlete’s Foot, it is caused by a particular group of fungi called dermatophytes. Your feet provide the ideal living conditions for these fungi to live and grow; warm, dark and humid – thus being found in areas such as swimming pools and locker rooms.
Dermatophytes cause infections in areas such as the nails, outer layers of the skin, scalp and hair. The main groups of fungi that cause fungal infections such as athlete’s foot are:
• Dermatophytes (tinea)
• Yeasts (candida)
• Moulds
About the Author: Maria Bantellis is a health writer on fungal conditions such as Athlete’s Foot Symptoms
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