The weather is hot and humid. Our feet are sweating more than usual. Our feet are often covered with shoes creating a dark, moist environment. In other words, conditons are ripe for fungus to thrive. Athlete’ s Foot is a fungal infection of the skin. It is extremely common because our feet are naturally meant to get more air. Unfortunately, modern conditions make this difficult. The medical term for Athlete’s Foot is tinea pedis. Tinea pedis most often presents as red, scaling skin. It can sometimes present as blisters. The skin will itch and feel uncomfortabe. The symptoms will most commonly manifest on the bottom of the feet and between the toes. The skin between the toes will usually appear white and macerated. The good news is that we have effective topical medicines to clear the fungus infection. Some are over the counter and others by prescription. Drying the feet well and letting your feet air out are helpful. Powders can be used to absorb moisture. Wearing shoes that “breath” well also is beneficial. It will often take a few weeks to clear up totally. In severe cases, an oral anitfungal can be utilized.
