£6.79
Athlete's foot is a very common condition, which affects many people at some point during their lives. It is caused by a fungal infection, which affects the skin on your feet. The infection is normally mild and is easy to treat using the products listed below. Athlete's foot usually affects the skin in between your toes, causing it to be red, flaky and itchy.
If treated, an athlete's foot infection will normally only last for a few weeks. However, if left untreated, this skin condition can last for several months or even years.
-
Lamisil Once 4g£9.78 -
Lamisil AT gel 15g£5.79£4.39
-
Lamisil AT spray 15ml£4.99£3.99
-
Daktarin aktiv cream 30g£4.89£4.49
-
Daktarin aktiv spray powder 100g£4.88£3.49
-
Daktarin cream 30g£4.99£2.75
-
Daktarin gold cream 15g£4.88£3.49
Athlete's foot causes you to develop a rash, usually in the spaces between your toes. The rash can cause your skin to be:
- itchy,
- scaly,
- flaky,
- dry, and
- red.
As well as a rash in between the spaces of your toes, you may notice other symptoms, including:
- cracked skin,
- blisters (which may be oozing, or crusting),
- swelling of the skin, and
- a burning or stinging sensation in your skin.
If the rash is particularly severe, your skin may start to crack, which can sometimes expose the raw tissue underneath. This can be particularly painful, and increases the risk of you developing a secondary bacterial infection.
Spread of infection
You will usually notice that the rash begins in the spaces between your fourth and fifth toes. If the infection is left untreated, you may also notice a rash forming on the bottom and sides of your feet. Sometimes the infection can also spread to your toenails, causing them to be dry and crumbly.
If you scratch your infected skin, and then touch other parts of your body, you may cause the infection to spread. It is therefore important that you treat your infection and always wash your hands thoroughly after touching the rash.
Tinea manuum
In some cases the fungal infection that causes athlete's foot can spread to your hands. This is known as tinea manuum. The fungal infection is most likely to spread to your hands if you touch the infected skin on your feet and fail to wash your hands afterwards.
The symptoms of tinea manuum are very similar to athlete's foot. Your skin becomes dry, red and itchy. The creases in the palms of your hands and the sides of your fingers are most commonly affected.
How long will my symptoms last?
If you have athlete's foot and it is treated, you will only usually experience symptoms for 1-10 days. However, if your infection is left untreated, or does not respond to treatment, you may have your symptoms for several months, or even years.
- itchy,
- scaly,
- flaky,
- dry, and
- red.
As well as a rash in between the spaces of your toes, you may notice other symptoms, including:
- cracked skin,
- blisters (which may be oozing, or crusting),
- swelling of the skin, and
- a burning or stinging sensation in your skin.
If the rash is particularly severe, your skin may start to crack, which can sometimes expose the raw tissue underneath. This can be particularly painful, and increases the risk of you developing a secondary bacterial infection.
Spread of infection
You will usually notice that the rash begins in the spaces between your fourth and fifth toes. If the infection is left untreated, you may also notice a rash forming on the bottom and sides of your feet. Sometimes the infection can also spread to your toenails, causing them to be dry and crumbly.
If you scratch your infected skin, and then touch other parts of your body, you may cause the infection to spread. It is therefore important that you treat your infection and always wash your hands thoroughly after touching the rash.
Tinea manuum
In some cases the fungal infection that causes athlete's foot can spread to your hands. This is known as tinea manuum. The fungal infection is most likely to spread to your hands if you touch the infected skin on your feet and fail to wash your hands afterwards.
The symptoms of tinea manuum are very similar to athlete's foot. Your skin becomes dry, red and itchy. The creases in the palms of your hands and the sides of your fingers are most commonly affected.
How long will my symptoms last?
If you have athlete's foot and it is treated, you will only usually experience symptoms for 1-10 days. However, if your infection is left untreated, or does not respond to treatment, you may have your symptoms for several months, or even years.
Athlete's foot is caused by a fungal infection of either one, or both, of your feet. We all have bacteria and fungi on our skin, most of which are harmless. However, in some conditions, these organisms can multiply and cause your skin to become infected. Athlete's foot is caused by a group of fungi known as dermatophytes. These fungi are parasitic, which means they feed off other organisms to stay alive. Your feet provide a warm, dark and humid environment, which are the ideal conditions needed for dermatophytes to grow.
Athlete's foot is normally a very mild infection, which you can usually diagnose and treat yourself.
If you have athlete's foot and it does not respond to treatment, or if the condition is causing you pain, or discomfort, you should visit your GP. If your GP feels it necessary, they may need to take a small sample of your affected skin cells.
The sample can be sent to a laboratory for testing, which will help indicate to your GP the precise type of fungi that is causing your infection. This will allow them to prescribe the most appropriate treatment for you.
Most people will be able to treat athlete's foot at home. This type of fungal infection tends to be mild, and usually responds quickly to treatment. Most cases of athlete's foot can be treated using some self-care steps and an antifungal medicine. If the infection is left untreated, it can sometimes spread to your toenails, and other parts of your body, such as the palms of your hands. Untreated cases of athlete's foot can also lead to complications, such as bacterial infection. Lamisil once can be used and is available from Treat Discreet.
Athlete's foot is normally a mild infection which rarely causes any complications. It also tends to be quick and easy to treat. However, it is always best to ensure that you use the appropriate treatment for athlete's foot as soon as you begin to develop symptoms. This will help minimise the risk of you developing complications.
Although rare, some of the complications that can be caused by athlete's foot are outlined below.
Bacterial infection
If your athlete's foot is more severe, you may experience cracked skin, which exposes the raw tissue underneath. It is unlikely that your fungal infection will spread to any exposed tissue, because fungi normally only grows on the surface of your skin. Bacteria, however can thrive inside the body, and may cause infection if it can enter the body through your cracked skin.
Cellulitis
Bacteria can release substances which break down your skin and tissue. Once inside your body, bacteria can cause the infection to spread. If left untreated, a bacterial infection can potentially be very serious.
Cellulitis is a condition that is caused by a bacterial infection of the deep layers of skin, fat, and soft tissue. If left untreated, cellulitis can cause serious complications, such as blood poisoning, or the infection can spread to the bone.
Although these complications are relatively rare, it is important that cellulitis is treated quickly. Most cases of cellulitis can be effectively treated using antibiotics.
Fungal nail infection
If athlete's foot is left untreated, the infection can sometimes spread to your toenails. A fungal nail infection causes your nail to become thick, discoloured and crumbly. The skin underneath the nail (the nailbed) may also become painful and inflamed.
Most fungal nail infections can be easily treated using antifungal medication, which is either taken orally, or painted onto your nail using a special antifungal nail paint. If left untreated, a fungal nail infection can cause significant pain and discomfort, which may make it difficult for you to wear shoes, or to walk around.
There are a number of steps that you can take to help prevent athlete's foot, some of which are outlined below.
- Wash your feet frequently and thoroughly with soap and water.
- After washing, make sure you dry your feet, and pay particular attention to the areas in between your toes.
- Always wear clean cotton socks.
- Change your shoes and socks regularly to keep your feet dry, particularly after exercising.
- Wash your feet frequently and thoroughly with soap and water.
- After washing, make sure you dry your feet, and pay particular attention to the areas in between your toes.
- Always wear clean cotton socks.
- Change your shoes and socks regularly to keep your feet dry, particularly after exercising.
