What can be done about athlete's foot?

Athlete's foot is a widespread foot problem. In this blog, we will provide you with as much information as possible about how it develops and what measures you can take.

1. What is athlete's foot?
2. What does athlete's foot look like and what symptoms does it cause?
3. How do you get athlete's foot?
4. Treatment of athlete's foot
5. Tips to prevent athlete's foot
6. Stubborn athlete's foot

What is athlete's foot?

Athlete's foot is a general term for several foot conditions caused by a fungal infection. It is also commonly known as athlete's foot, as it is a condition that can easily be contracted in swimming pools. The English name is Athlete's foot, because of the risk of infection in shared changing rooms/showers in sports clubs.

It is not eczema, although it often looks very similar. Eczema is an inflammatory reaction of the skin and comes from within. Athlete's foot (foot fungus) is an external infection. However, they can occur at the same time. The eczema then develops as a hypersensitivity reaction to the fungal spores. The medical name for athlete's foot is Tinea Pedis.

What does athlete's foot look like and what symptoms does it cause?

You can divide athlete's foot into 4 different types, based on its location and appearance.

1. Small itchy blisters, especially on the soles of the feet. The blisters contain fluid and occasionally larger blisters develop. These later become brown spots or scabs. Then the skin peels off.
2. White peeling skin, especially between the toes and on the sole of the foot. Often the skin between the fourth and fifth toe is affected first, and in a later stage, painful damp gaps can also develop between the toes.
3. Red, irritated and scaly skin on many soles and edges of the feet. This form of athlete's foot is called the moccasin type, because it is shaped like a shoe with this name.
4. Yellow/white discoloration and thickening and brittleness of the toenails (fungal nails). This fungal infection of the nails is also commonly known as nail fungus. The official name is onychomycosis. 

How do you get athlete's foot?

Fungi are found in many places and are usually harmless. The types of fungi that cause athlete's foot are called dermatophytes. When this fungus penetrates the skin of your foot and spreads, we speak of an infection. Athlete's foot grows in the outermost layer of the epidermis, the stratum corneum.

Normally, the natural barrier of your skin prevents fungi from penetrating. But if the skin is damaged or irritated, the skin's protective function decreases and a fungus can penetrate.

You can catch a skin fungus anywhere, but you have the greatest risk of infection in shared shower rooms, changing rooms and swimming pools. Mold spores thrive very well in a damp-warm environment and are very common there. This also makes it harder for people with sweaty feet to get rid of athlete's foot.

Excessive use of soap and insufficient drying of the feet (especially the spaces between the toes) can also contribute to the development of a fungal infection.

Treating athlete's foot

Athlete's foot (foot fungus) does not go away on its own. But if you catch it in time, you can get rid of it quickly. Provided that you are willing to take some measures and care for your feet daily. Do you belong to a risk group (e.g. diabetes, rheumatism, neurological diseases, vascular diseases)? Always consult your doctor first to discuss which antifungal medication is best suited for you.

If you want to tackle your athlete's foot, consider the following points:

1. There are many different products available on the market with an antifungal or antifungal inhibitor. Normally in the form of a foot cream, a foam or a foot fungus gel. These products must be used daily and also when symptoms occur, and for at least 2 weeks after symptoms have disappeared.
2. Be careful with products that can clump, such as powders and thick creams. These products can actually promote moisture between the toes.
3. Do you suffer from a thick layer of calluses? Make sure that you remove calluses as much as possible. This way, the product can reach the fungus in the skin much better.
4. Wash your socks at at least 60 degrees (preferably 90 degrees). The same applies to bath mats and bedding! All can contain mold spores and cause re-infection. Wear socks made of natural material (cotton) and put on a clean pair every day.
5. Shoes should also be treated. The easiest way is an anti-fungal spray because it can be easily sprayed into the toe of the shoe.
6. Do not try to scratch the infected skin! If you scratch the skin, you can get a bacterial infection in addition to the fungal infection. Wounds are also the ideal environment for fungal spores and are therefore harder to eliminate.

Take a look at our Degros athlete's foot treatment package. This gives you everything you need to fight and prevent your athlete's foot.

Tips to prevent athlete's foot

1. Avoid using soap! Soap affects the skin's natural barrier. If you still want to use soap, choose a pH-neutral version.
2. Dry your feet well. It is best to blow-dry them. This dries better than a towel and you do not have to bend over as much.
3. Wear slippers in areas such as changing rooms and showers.
4. Do you suffer from sweaty feet? Then change your socks several times a day. The use of zinc oil can also help keep your feet drier.
5. Wear breathable shoes (natural material) that are not too tight. Open shoes are of course even better, if the weather allows.

Stubborn athlete's foot

Athlete's foot is treatable, but there is always a possibility that the infection recurs. How likely and how quickly this happens varies from person to person. Try to keep the skin on your feet in good condition, this is the best way to prevent the formation of fungi. Dry or damaged skin remains more susceptible to fungal spores. Applying a good moisturizing foot cream daily helps to keep the skin in good condition.< /p>