Everything you need to know about athlete’s foot and how to get rid of it...
Athlete’s foot is a common yet dreaded condition that brings with it a negative stigma, along with itchy, flaky skin, and sometimes unsightly, discoloured toenails. If you’re suffering from athlete’s foot, the worst thing you can do is ignore it! Understanding the causes and symptoms of athlete’s foot is key to treating it effectively.
What Causes Athlete’s Foot?
While fungi and bacteria naturally exist on the skin, healthy skin acts as a barrier to prevent infection. However, when the skin is damaged, fungi can enter and thrive in the body’s warm, moist environment. When a fungus infects the skin of the foot, particularly between the toes, it’s known as athlete’s foot or tinea pedis.
Cuts or injuries to the toenails or skin on the feet provide an easy entry point for the fungi that cause athlete’s foot. However, there are subtler ways your feet can become vulnerable. Moist, wet skin softens and breaks down, making it more susceptible. Feet frequently confined to sweaty shoes during sports or exercise can develop openings for fungus. Even dry, brittle feet can be at risk as cracks and micro-tears may allow fungi to take hold.
Remember, athlete’s foot is contagious. You can catch or spread it by walking barefoot in areas where an infected person has been, such as public swimming pools or gym showers, or by sharing socks and shoes with someone who’s infected. This makes treating and preventing athlete’s foot all the more important.
What Are the Symptoms of Athlete’s Foot?
Athlete’s foot typically presents as red, peeling, scaling, and itchy skin on the feet. These symptoms may also appear between the toes, and in some cases, feet may develop a foul odour, blisters, or sores.
What’s the Best Treatment for Athlete’s Foot?
If left untreated, athlete’s foot can become painful and even cause permanent damage, so it’s crucial to address it promptly. In severe cases, you may need to see a doctor, but often, athlete’s foot can be treated at home. Your nail technician or pedicurist can help you choose the right home care products or recommend seeing a doctor if necessary.
Be cautious! Some commonly recommended home remedies for athlete’s foot are ineffective and can make the infection worse. For example, using undiluted iodine or repeated applications of apple cider vinegar can damage the skin and cause more harm.
Look for treatments like Footlogix® Peeling Skin Formula, which contains clotrimazole, a widely used antifungal ingredient. Footlogix® offers a range of antifungal products, including Nail Tincture Spray, Peeling Skin Formula, and Rough Skin Formula, all of which contain clotrimazole along with other ingredients that promote healing, soothe irritation, and repair damaged skin barriers—effectively eliminating athlete’s foot and providing relief from the itching, peeling, and discomfort that come with fungal infections. These products are free from added moisturisers and are formulated with Dermal Infusion Technology® to deliver ingredients deep into the skin.
For the best results, apply the Footlogix® Peeling Skin Formula to clean, dry feet twice daily for two weeks, then once daily until the condition is resolved. This treatment leaves no greasy residue. When using topical mousses, make sure to apply the product between the toes where athlete’s foot often hides.
Can Athlete’s Foot Be Prevented?
Absolutely! The key is to prevent any entry points for the fungi that cause athlete’s foot. Keeping your skin intact, supple, and healthy is your best defence. Follow these top tips to prevent athlete’s foot:
- Moisturise regularly to avoid micro-tears and cracking.
- Keep your feet clean and dry to prevent soft, macerated skin. Consider using Footlogix® Sweaty Feet Formula, which acts as an astringent to reduce foot perspiration and is ideal for preventing athlete’s foot.
- Wear clean socks and ensure your shoes are completely dry. Footlogix® Foot Deodorant and Shoe Deodorant sprays are perfect for this, as they kill the bacteria that cause odours rather than just masking them.
- Wear foot coverings in wet public areas whenever possible.
- Get regular professional pedicures and ensure that the salon properly disinfects tools between appointments.
- If you’re prone to athlete’s foot, regular use of a topical formula containing clotrimazole, like Footlogix® Anti-Fungal Toe Tincture Spray, Peeling Skin Formula, or Rough Skin Formula, can help control the fungi that cause infections.
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Professionals can also explore the full Footlogix® collection and learn more at sweetsquared.com.
