Hot and humid weather, warning for easily recurring 'athlete's foot'
Athlete's foot is an infectious skin disease caused by dermatophytes, a type of fungus. The athlete's foot fungus, which reproduces actively in hot and humid environments, becomes more prevalent during the summer, especially in the rainy season.
Athlete's foot can occur not only on the feet but also on various parts of the body such as the toenails, groin, scalp, and hands.
If you have a habit of touching your head after scratching your feet, there is a risk of developing scalp ringworm, which can also lead to hair loss. Additionally, there is a possibility that the ringworm can be transmitted to all family members.
If athlete's foot is left untreated, it can spread throughout the body and cause conditions such as tinea corporis, nail fungus, and keratoderma. Caution is especially needed regarding athlete's foot, which is particularly prevalent during the summer.
◇ What is the area most commonly affected by athlete's foot?
Athlete's foot mainly occurs on the feet. In particular, it is more common between the fourth and fifth toes.
This area is anatomically the widest between the toes, making it prone to sweat stagnation. For this reason, people with athlete's foot on their feet often think it recurs in the same area every year.
The main symptoms include itching in the affected area and the skin becoming whitish and scaly.
If athlete's foot is left untreated, the fungus can penetrate through cracked skin, leading to acute inflammation or secondary bacterial infection such as cellulitis. This can cause pain and swelling, and in severe cases, fever, difficulty walking, and swelling of the inguinal lymph nodes.
◇ How long is the treatment for athlete's foot? Toenail athlete's foot takes longer.
Many people believe that treating toenail and fingernail fungus is difficult and that it does not heal easily, but this is a misconception. With an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment from a dermatologist, toenail and fingernail fungus can be completely cured.
Athlete's foot is one of the conditions that takes a long time to treat. This is because toenails grow only about 1.3 to 1.8 mm per month, and the rate slows down even more with age. The fungus remains on the toenails until they are completely replaced with new ones, which makes the treatment take a long time.
Treatment for athlete's foot involves applying antifungal ointments to the affected area or taking oral medication.
If the symptoms are not severe, apply the antifungal medication twice a day to the affected area. It is also recommended to continue applying it for 2 to 3 weeks after the fungal infection has cleared.
If the condition does not improve even after this, oral antifungal medication should be taken for 4 to 6 weeks. If the symptoms improve slightly during treatment and the patient decides to stop or give up treatment on their own judgment, recurrence may occur.
Prevention is the best! Caution needed as summer infections are easy
Prevention is as important as treatment for athlete's foot. Even after treatment, athlete's foot on the feet often recurs due to dermatophytes remaining in socks or shoes. Reinfection also occurs easily with toenail athlete's foot.
To prevent athlete's foot, wash your feet thoroughly at least once a day, and wash more frequently if you sweat a lot. After washing, ensure proper ventilation, dry well between the toes, and keep the feet dry. If you sweat excessively, it is advisable to wear absorbent cotton socks or toe socks.
It is better to wear sandals that reveal the toes or shoes that are well-ventilated rather than tight-fitting shoes. On humid days, it is even better to spray antifungal spray on your feet. Wet shoes on rainy days must be thoroughly dried before wearing.
Athlete's foot is highly contagious, so sharing slippers, towels, and other items should be avoided. If you have visited a public bathhouse or swimming pool, it is advisable to wash your hands and feet again at home.