Athlete's foot (medically known as a dermatophyte foot skin infection) is one of the most common fungal infections of the feet. These microorganisms thrive in warm, humid environments such as athletic shoes, public showers, and swimming pools. Therefore, fungal foot infection often affects athletes but can affect any of those who encounter favorable conditions for its development. Without proper treatment, the fungus can spread to other areas of the feet, including the toenails, go from mild to chronic, and provoke the development of more serious and long-term infections.

If you are facing this problem, the specialists at Illinois Foot & Ankle Clinic, led by experienced podiatric surgeon Dr. Alex Yanovskiy, DPM, are ready to offer you a thorough examination and various methods of modern treatment of the athlete's foot.

Types of Athlete’s Foot

Fungal infection of the foot (athlete's foot) is capable of manifesting itself in various forms, from mild to severe, depending on the degree of spread and depth of the skin lesion.

Let's look at the main types of this infection.

Minor Athlete's Foot is the initial stage of the disease. It is manifested by slight flaking of the skin and slight itching between the toes or on the arch of the foot. There is slight hyperemia (redness) of the skin, dryness and burning sensation. These symptoms do not cause much discomfort and are often ignored, allowing the infection to gradually progress.

Severe Foot Fungus: if not treated promptly, the infection can progress to a more severe form. Deep cracks in the skin, increased peeling, swelling and painful blisters appear. The fungus begins to affect the nail plates. There is its thickening, discoloration and structural destruction of the nails. In this stage, the infection not only brings physical discomfort, but also significantly complicates the life of the patient.

Extreme Foot Fungu is characterized by significant skin and nail damage. In this stage, there may be deep cracks, significant areas of inflamed and flaky skin, and extensive areas of damaged nails. The infection can cause severe pain, making it difficult to move around. 

Causes of Athlete’s Foot

Mycosis of the foot (fungal infection) develops in the presence of favorable conditions. 

The main causes and risk factors are:

  • Humid environment: the fungus that causes athlete's foot actively multiplies in warm and humid conditions. This explains why the infection is common in people who wear shoes for long periods of time, especially if they are inadequately ventilated. Sweaty feet, tight shoes, and synthetic socks all create ideal conditions for the fungus to multiply.
  • Tight or uncomfortable shoes: tight shoes not only prevent ventilation of the foot, but also cause friction and micro-damage to the skin, through which the pathogen can easily penetrate. Shoes that squeeze the foot or toes increase the risk of infection because they promote moisture accumulation and impair blood circulation.
  • Direct contact with fungus: fungal infection is transmitted through direct contact with contaminated surfaces. This can occur in public places with high humidity - showers, swimming pools, gyms or locker rooms. Walking barefoot in these places increases the likelihood of infection.
  • Poor hygiene: wearing dirty shoes, using common towels, and irregular foot washing contribute to the spread of infection. Fungus is easily transmitted from one person to another, so it is important to follow the rules of personal hygiene to prevent its development.

Symptoms and Signs

Symptoms and signs of the disease may vary in intensity depending on the stage of the disease.

What to look out for?

Itching and burning: severe itching in the area between the toes or on the sole of the foot. Often accompanied by burning, which increases when wearing shoes or after physical activity.

Flaking and dry skin: intense flaking of the skin - more often between the toes, on the soles and along the edges of the foot. The skin becomes dry and begins to crack, causing painful sensations.

Redness and inflammation: infected areas of skin take on a reddish color. The skin looks irritated and inflamed, and swelling appears.

Cracks and painful blisters: the progression of infection on the skin leads to the formation of painful cracks and small blisters filled with fluid. The blisters may burst, causing discomfort and secondary infections.

Thickening and changes in skin texture: in some cases, the skin affected by the fungus becomes thicker and rougher. Thickened areas become painful when walking, causing additional discomfort.

Diagnostics: Understanding the Condition

There are several basic diagnostic methods that can accurately determine the presence of fungus and the stage of the disease.

Visual inspection by a specialist is the first and easiest method of diagnosis. Experienced podiatrist Illinois Foot & Ankle Clinic Dr. Alex Yanovskiy, DPM, will be able to recognize the symptoms of infection by the appearance of the skin: the presence of peeling, cracks, redness and blisters. Based on visual inspection, the doctor will make initial conclusions about the degree of spread and possible complications of the infection.

Additional tests may be required to confirm the diagnosis.

  • Microscopic examination (analysis for fungus). Examination of a sample of affected skin or nails for allows the doctor to determine the type of fungus that caused the infection and select the most effective treatment.
  • Culture method (fungal culture). Allows a specialist to confirm the presence of infection and determine the exact type of pathogen and its possible resistance to drugs or drug treatment. 
  • luminescent diagnostics (Wood's Lamp). Under the ultraviolet light of a Wood's lamp, the affected areas of the skin glow a specific color, which helps to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment Options for Athlete’s Foot

Treatment of foot fungal infection depends on the stage of the disease and the nature of the infection. There are several effective methods to get rid of the fungus and prevent its return. 

  • Topical antimycotic drugs. Special creams, ointments or sprays that are applied directly to the affected areas of the skin. Topical antimycotics effectively eliminate the fungus, symptoms of itching, redness and flaking. Treatment is continued for several weeks for maximum effect.
  • Oral antimycotics. These are used for more severe or persistent infections. They are taken internally and work at the systemic level to destroy the fungus in the body. Oral medications are prescribed when the infection has spread to the nails or when topical agents are ineffective.
  • Laser Toenail Fungus Removal. This is a modern, safe and painless method. It is used when the nail plate is affected and in particularly difficult cases. The laser penetrates through the nail, destroying fungal cells without damaging the surrounding tissue. This method is effective for chronic or persistent infections and significantly reduces treatment time.

For timely detection of such an unpleasant disease as athlete's foot, it is important to have regular preventive examinations with your doctor.

Make an appointment with Illinois Foot & Ankle Clinic specialist Dr. Alex Yanovskiy, DPM and he can help you get your feet back to health.

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1400 East Golf Rd, Unit 201, Des Plaines, IL 60016

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