In the course of life, most of us come into contact with it at least once – we’re talking about athlete’s foot. Find out which symptoms you can use to recognize the fungal infestation and which preventive measures you can take to protect yourself from it.
According to studies, between 3 and 15 percent of the population are affected by athlete’s foot (tinea pedis). This makes it one of the most common foot diseases and infectious diseases. The reason skin fungi settle on our feet in particular is due to their preferences: fungi feed on keratin , a structural protein that is mainly found in the upper layers of the skin, the cornea and our nails. In addition, skin fungi prefer a warm and humid climate, which is usually the case in our shoes and socks.
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Athlete’s foot: 3 signs of fungal infection
1. Itching
A first sign of the spread of athlete’s foot is itching . While we do not always notice visual changes in our feet, itching is a symptom that is both annoying and noticeable and prompts many people to visit their family doctor or dermatologist. If you are particularly itchy in the spaces between your toes and there is no other obvious cause, you may suspect that you have athlete’s foot.
2. Discoloration
In addition to itching, the irritation and inflammation of the skin can be reflected in a reddish discoloration . Both reddened areas and white thickening , reminiscent of calluses, are often visible. If your toenails also turn whitish in places and thicken, the fungal infection is probably affecting your nails as well.
Tip: Nail fungi in particular can be extremely stubborn. Therefore, go to the dermatologist as soon as possible and start treatment early.
3. Cracked, scaly skin
Athlete’s foot can cause the skin on your feet to tighten and even crack. Small, palpable cracks and increasingly scaly skin are common. Since fungi can penetrate the skin through small cuts and cracks, you should regularly care for your foot skin even if you are still free of athlete’s foot.
Get rid of and prevent athlete’s foot
As soon as you suspect that a fungus could be spreading on your feet, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. Because the longer skin fungi can make themselves comfortable, the more difficult it is to get rid of them. Also, the same fungi that cause your athlete’s foot can also spread to your nails, leading to stubborn toenail fungus . Fortunately, athlete’s foot can now be effectively treated with antifungal creams and medications , even if eliminating it requires patience and consistent action. Preventive measures are all the more important :
- Dry your feet thoroughly after showering, bathing or swimming – especially between the toes.
- Wear breathable shoes and cotton socks.
- Wash your socks, sheets and towels at 60°C and do not share them with other people.
- Protect yourself and others by always wearing flip-flops in communal showers, locker rooms and swimming pools.
- If you have sweaty feet , baby powder can help keep your feet dry.
Important: Diabetics and people with a weakened or drug-suppressed immune system are particularly susceptible to athlete’s foot and should pay even more attention to these preventive measures.
