Keep getting fungal skin infections on the feet?
What is Athlete's foot?
Fungal skin infections on the feet, often known as athlete's foot or tinea pedis, can be a real nuisance. Fungal skin infection can burn or itch, or can present as flaky, dry skin on the sole, or moist, soggy skin between the toes. It can cause a rash. Sometimes patients are completely unaware they have it and just think they have very dry skin, with a white chalky appearance particularly in the skin creases, which isn't responding to foot creams!
Fungal skin infection is very common, around one third of adults in the UK have it! It is often missed or misdiagnosed. Usually caused by fungus known as dermatophytes, the infection can spread to other areas of the body including the nails, groin or other skin folds if left untreated. It can also cause the skin to become very dry and split, leaving it vulnerable to bacterial infection.
Moisture is the enemy: Fungi thrive in warm, damp environments, such as in footwear. So the key to preventing infection is to keep your feet clean and their environment dry. If you have had fungal infection previously you are highly likely to pick it up again unless you follow some preventative measures.
So how can athlete's foot be prevented?
Firstly make sure you treat any existing infections fully. Fungal skin can take many weeks to completely resolve. Dabbing on a bit of antifungal cream now and again for a few days simply won't sort it. Follow your podiatrists guidance to completely clear the infection, then follow the advice below to reduce your chances of future infections.
Top tips to prevent fungal skin infections:
Wash and dry your feet thoroughly every day. Paying special attention to the space between your toes. Dry your feet well!
Change your socks daily, more often if your feet sweat a lot. And try to choose fabrics which wick moisture away from your skin, like bamboo.
Do the shoe shuffle! Avoid wearing the same shoes every day. Shoes need to dry out completely between uses so give each pair at least 24 hours to dry before you wear them again.
Wear footwear made from breathable materials where possible.
Protect yourself in public spaces. Wear sandals or flip flops in public areas such as changing room, swimming pools, even hotel rooms including the bathroom, to reduce the chances of picking up fungus from the floors
Shoes and slippers can be a source of reinfection so use an anti fungal shoe spray monthly. Fungus can survive inside your shoes so spray to kill them off and reduce reinfection
Don't share shoes, socks, nail clippers or towels with anyone else. No need to share the fungus!
Check your feet frequently. If you see any signs of the skin infection returning treat it immediately. Early intervention is key. Untreated fungal skin infection can progress to infect the nail unit.
Use a foot cream daily. Recent evidence has shown that regular use of foot emollients can help prevent fungal skin infection by strengthening the skin barrier. Cracks and crevices in dry skin can harbour fungus. Using emollients will prevent and heal cracks, helping to stop those fungal spores from taking hold!
Check if any other members of your household have fungal infection and encourage them to start treatment to avoid spreading the infection.
Check for signs of fungal skin infection on other areas of the body, particularly skin folds. Seek medical advice as to the most appropriate treatment for these areas.
Have you got a fungal skin infection?
Think you may have a fungal infection? The signs of infection can be very subtle.
If you are struggling to get rid of an existing fungal skin infection please get in touch to book an appointment and our experienced podiatrists will recommend the best course of treatment for you.
Remember, early intervention is important. Left untreated, fungal skin infection can lead to fungal nail infection, a topic we will blog about soon!
Get in contact today by calling 0161 427 4937 or email us at info@mrpodiatrist.co.uk
References
1. Burzykowski G, Molenberghs D, Abeck E, Haneke E, Hay RJ, Katsambas D, et al. High prevalence of foot diseases in Europe: results of the Achilles project. Mycoses. 2003;46:496-505.
2. Pierard G. Onychomycosis and other superficial fungal infections of the foot in the elderly: a pan European survey. Dermatology. 2001;202(3):220-4.
3. Pathania, Y.S., K. Cds, and A. Kumar, Comparing emollient use with topical luliconazole (azole) in the maintenance of remission of chronic and recurrent dermatophytosis. An open-label, randomized prospective active-controlled non-inferiority study. Mycoses, 2023. Early View.
4. Rana, D.K., et al., Evaluation of the benefit of the addition of 1% topical luliconazole versus topical bland emollient to the systemic itraconazole therapy for the management of disseminated dermatophytosis: A randomised control trial. Mycoses, 2024. 67(1): p. e13681.