What can you do about athlete’s foot (swimmer’s eczema)?

Athlete's foot is a common 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. Treating athlete's foot
5. Tips to prevent athlete's foot / swimmer's eczema
6. Persistent athlete's foot

What is athlete's foot?

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

It is not eczema, despite often looking very similar. Eczema is an inflammatory reaction of the skin and comes from within. Athlete's foot (swimmer's eczema) is an infection from the outside. However, they can occur simultaneously. The eczema then develops as an allergic 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 the location and appearance. 

1. Small itchy blisters, especially on the soles of the feet. The blisters contain fluid and occasionally larger blisters form. In a later stage, these become brown spots or scabs. Then the skin peels. 
2. White scaling, especially between the toes and on the sole of the foot. The skin between the fourth and fifth toe is often affected first, and in a later stage, painful wet cracks can also develop between the toes. 
3. Red, irritated and scaly skin on a large part of the soles and foot edges. This form of athlete's foot is called the moccasin type, because it has the shape of 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 type of fungi that cause athlete's foot are called dermatophytes. If this fungus penetrates the skin of your foot and begins to spread, we speak of an infection. Foot fungi grow in the outermost layer of the epidermis, the horny layer. 

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

You can contract a skin fungus anywhere, but the greatest chance of infection is in shared shower rooms, changing rooms and swimming pools. Fungal spores thrive very well in a damp and warm environment and are found frequently there. Because of this, people with sweaty feet also find it harder to get rid of athlete's foot. 

Excessive use of soap and not drying the feet properly (especially the area between the toes) can also contribute to the development of a fungal infection. 

Treating athlete's foot

Athlete's foot (swimmer's eczema) does not go away on its own. But if you catch it in time, you can get rid of it quickly. Provided you are willing to take a number of measures and treat your feet daily. Do you belong to a risk group (e.g. diabetes, rheumatism, neurological conditions, vascular diseases)? Then always contact your GP first to discuss which antifungal medication is best for you. 

If you want to tackle your athlete's foot yourself, keep the following points in mind:

1. There are many different products available on the market with an antifungal or anti-fungal agent. Usually in the form of a foot cream, a foam or a foot fungus gel. These products must be used daily and for at least 2 weeks after the 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 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! They can all contain fungal spores and cause reinfection. Wear socks made of natural material (cotton) and put on a clean pair every day. 
5. Shoes should also be treated. For this, an antifungal spray is easiest, because it can be sprayed well into the toe of the shoe. 
6. Try not to scratch the infected skin! If you scratch the skin open, you can develop a bacterial infection on top of the fungal infection. Also, wounds are the ideal environment for fungal spores, so you will find it harder to get rid of it. 

Also take a look at our Degros Athlete's Foot Treatment Action Package. With this, you have everything at home to tackle and prevent athlete's foot. 

Tips to prevent athlete's foot / swimmer's eczema

1. Avoid using soap! Soap affects the natural barrier of the skin. If you still want to use soap, choose a pH-neutral variant. 
2. Dry your feet well. Preferably dry them with a hairdryer. This dries better than a towel and you have to bend over less.
3. Wear flip-flops in places such as changing rooms and showers.
4. Do you suffer severely from sweaty feet? Then change your socks several times a day. Also, the use of zinc oil can help keep the feet drier.
5. Wear well-ventilating shoes (natural material) that are not too tight. Open shoes are of course even better when the weather allows it.

Persistent athlete's foot

Athlete's foot is easy to treat, but there is always a chance that the infection will return. How likely this is to happen and how quickly varies from person to person. Try to keep the skin of your feet in good condition, this is the best way to give fungi no chance. Dry or damaged skin remains more sensitive to fungal spores. Applying a good moisturizing foot cream daily helps keep the skin in good condition.