Athlete's Foot (cont.)
Is athlete's foot contagious?
Athlete's foot may be contagious from person to person, but it is not always contagious. Some people may be more susceptible to the fungus that causes athlete's foot while others are more resistant. There are many households where two people (often husband and wife or siblings) using the same showers and bathroom for years have not transmitted the fungus between them. The exact cause of this predisposition or susceptibility to fungal infections is unknown. Some people just seem more prone to fungal skin infections than others.
What else causes foot rashes?
There are many possible causes of foot rashes. Athlete's foot is one of the more common causes. Additional causes include irritant or contact dermatitis, allergic rashes from shoes or other creams, dyshidrotic eczema (skin allergy rash), psoriasis, keratodermia blenorrhagicum, yeast infections, and bacterial infections.
Your physician can perform a simple test called a KOH, or potassium hydroxide for microscopic fungal examination, in the office or laboratory to confirm the presence of a fungal infection. This test is performed using small flakes of skin that are examined under the microscope. Many dermatologists perform this test in their office with results available within minutes. Rarely, a small piece of skin may be removed and sent for biopsy to help confirm the diagnosis.
What is the treatment for athlete's foot?
The treatment of athlete's foot can be divided into two parts. The first, and most important part, is to make the infected area less suitable for the athlete's foot fungus to grow. This means keeping the area clean and dry.
Buy shoes that are leather or other breathable material. Shoe materials, such as vinyl, that don't breathe cause your feet to remain moist, providing an excellent area for the fungus to breed. Likewise, absorbent socks like cotton that wick water away from your feet may help.
Powders, especially medicated powders (such as with miconazole or tolnaftate), can help keep your feet dry. Finally, your feet can be soaked in a drying solution of aluminum acetate (Burrow's solution or Domeboro's solution). A homemade remedy of dilute white vinegar soaks using
one part vinegar and roughly four parts water, once or twice a day as 10-minute foot soaks may aid in treatment.
The second part of treatment is the use of antifungal creams and washes. Many medications are available, including miconazole, clotrimazole, terbinafine (Lamisil) sprays and creams,
and ketoconazole shampoo and cream, etc. Ask your health-care professional or pharmacist for a recommendation. Treatment for athlete's foot should generally be continued for
four weeks, or at least one week after all of the skin symptoms have cleared.
More advanced or resistant cases of athlete's foot may require a two- to
three-week course of an oral (pill) antifungal like terbinafine, itraconazole (Sporanox), or fluconazole (Diflucan). Laboratory blood tests to make sure there is no liver disease may be required before taking these pills.
Topical corticosteroid creams can act as a fertilizer for fungus and may actually worsen fungal skin infections. These topical steroid medications have no role in treating athlete's foot.
If the fungal infection has spread to the toenails, the nails must also be treated to avoid re-infection of the feet. Often, the nails are initially ignored only to find the athlete's foot keeps recurring. It is important to treat all the visible fungus at the same time. Effective nail fungus treatment may be more intensive and require prolonged courses (three
to four months) of oral antifungal medications.
When should I seek medical care?
If you notice any redness, increased swelling, bleeding,
or if your infection is not clearing up, see your health-care
practitioner. If a bacterial infection is also occurring, an antibiotic pill may be necessary. If you have fungal nail involvement, are diabetic, or have a compromised immune system, you should also see your physician for treatment.
Next: What kind of doctor treats athlete's foot? »
- ketoconazole, Nizoral, Extina, Xolegel, Kuric - Learn about ketoconazole (Nizoral, Extina, Xolegel, Kuric), a drug used to treat a variety of fungal infections such as dandruff, jock itch, athlete's foot, and ringworm.
- Skin Biopsy - Read about the skin biopsy procedure and what to expect if your doctor orders this procedure for a lesion.
- Rash - Learn about rash causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. Common skin rashes include poison ivy, hives, shingles, eczema, contact dermatitis, ringworm, psoriasis and impetigo.
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