Many of us have heard about athlete’s foot but how many do you actually think know athlete’s foot? What many people mistake for a common rash is actually a skin infection from a source of fungus. This fungus that causes athlete’s foot is called Trichophyton, and can grow when your feet are exposed to warmth, moisture, and irritation. This is because it is this environment that the fungus will thrive on, and thus infects the top layer of skin. However, these fungal infections are not just limited to the feet. In fact, you can get fungal infections on any part of your body including;
• Arms
• Legs
• Scalp
• Trunk
• Hands
• Feet
• Nails
• Groin
• Genital areas
• Many other areas
Furthermore, the fungus called Trichophyton is actually caused by another fungus called ringworm fungus, or tinea. This fungus can be found in many areas that where there are a lot of people like swimming pools, locker rooms, nail salons, as well as gym floors. And it can be found in people’s socks and other clothes. In fact, you can even contract this fungus from touching a person that has it or something that they touched.
Many people are very surprised when they learn more about athlete’s foot that it is so easy to come in contact with this fungus. However, if the fungus is not given the proper environment to grow, like the moist and warm areas, then they have a harder time to grow and infect the skin. But surprisingly, studies have shown that 70% of the population has had athlete’s foot at one time in their lives.
How to spot athlete’s foot
When trying to figure out athlete’s foot it is also important to learn how to spot it. What you will find is that the area infected will look like it is red, peeling, and as well as show signs of having dry skin on certain areas around or on both soles of your feet. And you will find that sometimes the dry areas will spread to the top and sides of your feet. In addition, some people exhibit signs of the skin infection in the area that is between the last two toes on your foot. However, most often you will find that the athlete’s foot infection will stay around the soles of your feet.
Types of athlete’s foot
1. Athlete’s foot on the soles of your feet it is called the “moccasin” type.
2. Athlete’s foot between your toes it is called the “interdigital” type
3. Athletes foot can also be considered inflammatory type or blistering
In addition, some people may find when looking at athlete’s foot is that their skin infection will look small, or it may have larger blisters on the feet. These blisters are called bullous tinea pedis, and look like large spots of dry, red, or callused skin with redness. However, these are rare cases. On the other hand, some people find that they just have some low level dry skin without the redness and irritation.
Furthermore, for some people athlete’s foot can look like a simple rash on one or both of their feet and even their hands. This is the way that most cases present. But if you do get a case on your hands then it is called tinea manuum. And finally, for some men you will find that athlete’s foot will present with ringworm on their groin area or on their hands. And when a man has a fungal groin rash called tinea cruris it is always important that you check the feet as well.
And lastly, when considering athlete’s foot you must also look at how to treat it. But when you do treat any fungal infection it is very imperative that you treat all areas at the same time. The reason for this is that it could spread from one to the other and continue on in a vicious cycle. Treating it all at once will take the risk of infection away.