Itchy, scaly toes? Chances are you have athlete’s foot, also known as ringworm of the feet. The name athlete's foot was derived from the fact that it is often spread through standing water around swimming pools, public showers, and locker rooms.
Species Name: Various species of Trichophyton fungi or Epidermophyton
Type of Microbe: Fungus
How it Causes Disease: The fungi attach to keratin-containing cells, such as those found in the skin, near the hair, and fingernails.
How it Spreads: Athlete’s foot gets spread through cuts or scrapes in the feet, where the moisture from sweat facilitates growth of the fungus. It is spread in locker rooms, public showers, and near swimming pools, where people have repeated exposure to standing water.
Who’s at Risk? People who have exposure to swimming pools, locker rooms, and public showers (not just athletes)
Symptoms: Itchy, burning, cracked and scaly skin between the toes, sometimes spreading to the toenails. If toenails are affected, they become thick and crumbly.
Diagnosis: Athlete's foot is diagnosed by appearance, and additional tests are usually not necessary. If confirmation is needed, skin scrapings can be examined through the microscope for the presence of fungi.
Prognosis: With proper treatment, athlete’s foot will resolve in 2 to 4 weeks, with no long-term consequences.
Treatment: Treatments include topical anti-fungal creams, such as nystatin, terbinafine, clotrimazole, or miconazole, applied once or twice every day for 14 to 21 days. Addition of drying agents, such as Burow’s solution (aluminum acetate), can assist in healing.
Prevention: Practice good foot hygiene, such as washing and drying feet well, especially between toes; wearing clean socks; and not walking barefoot in public areas.
Sources Athlete’s Foot. MedlinePlus. US National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health.
Mims CA, Playfair JH, Roitt, IM, Wakelin D, Williams R, and Anderson RM. Medical Microbiology. ©1993. Mosby-Year Book Europe Limited. London, UK.
