Recognizing Athlete’s Foot and determining how to treat it

Overview Athlete’s Foot

Signs and Symptoms of Athlete’s Foot

Athlete’s foot is a common skin infection, caused by a contagious fungal infection called (tinea pedis). This is also the same infection that causes another common fungal infection called jock itch which is caused by the same fungus. Athlete’s foot is considered one of the most common infectious diseases being any one or all of these symptoms athlete’s foot:

The skin becomes red and scaly rash, especially between the toes
The affected area starts to ooze, fluid filled blisters
A burning or stinging sensation persists.
The surrounding areas on the feet or hands start to swell.
Peeling skin, scaly skin, between the toes or bottom of feet that continues to spread.
Your feet smell bad.
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How Do I Get Athlete’s Foot

Athlete’s foot is actually one of the most common infections as it is easily transmissible from one person to the next as well as living on warm moist areas with heavy foot traffic. You can get it from the following locations and even when treated, it can return.

Actual skin-to-skin contact with someone’s infected area.
Using items that were used by the affected person like nail clippers, used towels, bath mats, shoes, used socks or other clothing, or unwashed bed sheets. 
A person with Athlete’s Foot can also spread their infection to others on floors if they walk around without shoes or sandals. This is why Athlete’s Foot is a problem that arises often in leading to contaminated surfaces such as public bathrooms, public pool, spas, locker room floors, public showers or anywhere with high, barefoot traffic. The fungus thrives in warm moist environments, where the fungus grows
This is why its important you wear closed shoes or flip flops when walking in these high traffic areas, walking barefoot in these areas is never a good idea.
Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection and should not be confused with a bacterial infection, which requires different medical intervention, especially if you have a weakened immune system or certain risk factors such as diabetes. If left untreated, not only can you spread it to others but it could lead to spreading to the toenails.Get prescription athlete’s foot treatment without leaving your home

Treating Athlete’s Foot:

It is always recommended that athlete’s foot diagnosed by a doctor or healthcare professional to make sure you are getting the right treatment. Some of the most common antifungal medications including topical creams, over the counter and common home remedies are listed below:

Clotrimazole (Lotrisone)
Econazole (Ecoza, Spectazole)
Ciclopirox (Loprox)
Terbinafine (Lamisil cream)

Soaking your feet in a mixture of apple cider vinegar and salt water can clear up the blisters while also killing bacteria.
Rubbing tea tree oil onto the skin can also help as tea tree oil soothes the skin and can alleviate the itching, burning, and redness.
Hydrogen peroxide or potassium hydroxide disinfects the skin and allows the area to create a protective barrier against new infections.
A garlic clove foot soak with warm water can be beneficial. Garlic has antifungal properties and a compound found in garlic called Ajoene has been known to cure Athlete’s Foot.

Why the STRIDE Solution Works for Athlete’s Foot

For the first 30 days, wash your feet thoroughly with soap and warm water prior to application. As soon as the area is completely dry, apply STRIDE’s dermatologist-developed Cicloprox cream to the affected area twice a day, preferably in the morning and at night. 
After the first month, apply the Cicloprox cream to the areas once a week for another 30 days or until the symptoms have cleared completely.

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What can be mistaken for athlete’s foot?

Certain symptoms like Eczema and Psoriasis can appear similar to athlete’s feet. Sometimes second bacteria infections may develop from contaminated skin.