Athlete's Foot (tinea pedis)
At the Markham Foot Care Clinic, we believe that patients can better recognize a foot or ankle problem when they understand what their problem is, what is causing it , and how it is treated. That is why we offer a wonderful resource for our patients: the Patient Education Library.
Our library has a vast amount of information about a wide range of foot and ankle problems along with advice and tips about how to keep your feet as healthy as possible. If you have questions about How to Pick the Right Shoe, What are the Signs of An Ingrown Toenail, What is a Bunion, or any other foot or ankle related question, don’t hesitate to consult our website!
The links in the left column of this page will take you to pages full of useful information concerning the world of feet. If you would like to keep informed about what’s new with feet or would like to get more great tips about foot care, like us on Facebook, follow us on twitter, watch our videos on youtube, or subscribe to our blogs!
Athlete's Foot, also known as tinea pedis, is a skin disease caused by a fungus that usually occurs between the toes. The fungus attacks the feet because shoes create a warm, dark, and humid environment that encourages fungus growth. Warm, damp areas around swimming pools, showers, and locker rooms are also breeding grounds for fungi.
Symptoms of Athlete's Foot include drying skin, itching, scaling, inflammation, and blisters on and between the toes. Athlete's Foot can spread to the soles of the feet and to the toenails as well as other parts of the body, which is why timely treatment is so important.
You can prevent Athlete's Foot by:
- Not walking barefoot, particularly in public pools and locker rooms.
- Reducing foot perspiration by using talcum powder.
- Wearing light and airy shoes.
- Wearing socks that keep your feet dry, and changing them frequently if you perspire heavily.
While fungicidal and fungistatic chemicals are usually used to treat Athlete's Foot problems, they often fail to contact the fungi in the lower layers of the skin. For persistent Athlete's Foot, a prescription topical or oral antifungal drug may be needed. Note: Please consult your physician before taking any medications.