Recognizing Athlete’s Foot and determining how to treat it

Many of us prioritize our health on a regular basis. We eat right, exercise regularly, and yearly doctor visits are always logged in on our calendars. Despite our efforts, it’s possible that certain health issues can still arise in the most unexpected of places, like our hands or feet. Athlete’s Foot, for example, can happen to anyone. Regardless of any statistic, it can be a cumbersome problem to have.

Signs and Symptoms of Athlete’s Foot

Tinea pedis (more commonly known as Athlete’s Foot) is a contagious fungal infection that affects the feet. The skin is mainly targeted, but it can spread to the toenails and even hands. On average, Athlete’s Foot begins seemingly benign as an itchy area on your foot, primarily between the toes.

Over time, the skin begins to dry out, crack, and even flake. Other signs and symptoms can include:

• The skin becomes red and scaly.
• The affected area starts to ooze.
• A burning or stinging sensation persists.
• The surrounding areas on the feet or hands start to swell.
• Blisters begin to develop.
• Foul odors start to emit from the feet or hands.

Causes of Athlete’s Foot

Though yeasts (candida) can cause Athlete’s Foot, the most common cause of Athlete’s Foot is a type of fungi called a dermatophyte. It is a relatively harmless fungus on the skin, but when it comes into contact with damp, warm conditions, they start to grow and feed on keratin.

Tight-fitting shoes and socks that aren’t made of breathable fabric are typically the culprit, particularly when the wearer sweats profusely while wearing them. Because it is contagious, anyone can develop Athlete’s Foot through direct or indirect contact such as:

• 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 bedsheets. 
• A person with Athlete’s Foot can also spread their infection to others on floors if they walk around with the affected area uncovered. This is why Athlete’s Foot is a problem that arises often in unhygienic communal areas such as public bathrooms, public pools, spas, locker rooms, or anywhere with high, barefoot traffic.

Individuals with weakened immune systems or diabetes have a greater chance of suffering from Athlete’s Foot. If you have diabetes, inform your doctor if you are showing symptoms of Athlete’s Foot, especially if you notice swelling, pus, or if you develop a fever. 

Treatment of Athlete’s Foot

If you have a mild case of Athlete’s Foot, it’s likely you can treat it at home with anti-fungal over-the-counter medicines that come in the form of sprays, topical creams, tablets, or a mixture of oral medication and creams. These include:

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

There are also homeopathic remedies that can be just effective as well:

• Soaking the affected area 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 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

Despite over-the-counter treatments and home remedies, Athlete’s Foot can be quite persistent. If the condition hasn’t improved after a few weeks, or it goes away and comes back, or it starts to spread to other areas, it’s time for a prescription strength option. 

The STRIDE Athlete’s Foot Treatment uses an effective topical prescription medication treatment plan recommended  by world-renowned dermatologist, Neil Sadick, MD, FAAD, FAACS, FACP, FACPH and has an 87% cure rate when used as directed. 

The treatments cost as little as $1.65 per day ($49.50 per month), no insurance needed. To get started, complete our patient intake form and one of our trained physicians or prescribers will review your information. From there, they will determine the best route for you so your treatment can begin at home. This is one of the biggest pros of our STRIDE plan. You can start your treatment on your schedule without ever having to leave your home. No need to wait at the doctor’s office and have an embarrassing conversation about your condition.

Once you receive your shipment of STRIDE’s Athlete’s Foot prescription treatment, use as prescribed so not only ensure it goes away but stays away. 

• 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.

If you have any of the signs or symptoms of Athlete’s Foot we mentioned, it might be time to kick Athlete’s Foot for good by placing your order for STRIDE’s Prescription Treatment for Athlete’s Foot.