Athlete’s foot is a skin infection that is caused by a fungus. The Athlete’s foot fungus likes to live in moist warm places so it can grow on feet and toes but it can grow just about anywhere on a body. Athlete’s foot is very common with athletes so it was given the name athlete’s foot.
Athlete’s foot is very contagious and you can pick up a case of athlete’s foot in a public place like a gym or locker room. You can get athlete’s foot from other people or by the things that an infected person touches like a handrail. It is possible to be immune to athlete’s foot but you can also catch it anytime in your life.
Athlete’s foot causes the skin to itch and burn. If untreated athlete’s foot will crack open the skin and cause pain in the affected area. Athlete’s foot can also cause the skin to blister and bleed. A person can be a carrier of the athlete’s foot fungus and suffer no symptoms but they can spread it to other people.
You can recognize athlete’s foot because the skin will be red and peeling on the toes and feet. The athlete’s foot will peel and itch and create flakes of dry skin that will flake off the skin. Athlete’s foot is most commonly found on the feet but you can find it other places as well. It will develop where ever skin is moist and warm.
If you have athlete’s foot you will find that keeping the affected area dry and cool will keep you more comfortable. You can treat the affected area with an over the counter athlete fungal cream. And you should wash the affected area as least two times a day. It is important to treat all the areas that are affected with athlete’s foot at the same time to prevent spreading the infection as it is healing.
You can get athlete’s foot anywhere and it can affect one foot and leave the other foot alone. You can pick up a case of athlete’s foot in just about any public place since affected people touch things and so do you.
If you have athlete’s foot that is not responding to home treatment then you should see a physician for a cure. If you would like more information about athlete’s foot you can go on the net to http://www.medicinenet.com/athletes_foot/article.htm.
