Tinea Pedis
GENERAL INFORMATION:
What is it? Tinea (TIN-ee-ah) pedis is also called athlete's foot. It is a skin infection (in-FEK-shun) of the bottom of the foot and between the toes. It can spread to other areas of the body, such as the toenails. The infection is usually gone in three weeks with treatment. It may take one to three months before it is completely gone. You may get athlete's foot more than once.
What are the causes of athlete's foot? Athlete's foot is caused by a germ called fungus. It can be spread to others by sharing towels or shower stalls. You may also get it more easily if you use public locker rooms or swimming pools. Your chances of getting it are greater if you do not wash your feet or change socks every day. People in hot, humid weather or who have sweaty feet may get athlete's foot more easily.
What are the signs and symptoms? You may have one or more of the following on your feet:
- Bad smelling feet.
- Blisters that break and leave open, raw areas.
- Cracking.
- Itching and burning.
- Redness and swelling.
- Scaly or peeling skin.
- Thicker, darker skin on the bottoms or sides of your feet.
- If it has spread, you may have thick, abnormal looking toenails.
How is athlete's foot diagnosed? Your caregiver will do a medical exam. Sometimes, the caregiver will scrape some skin from the infected area of your foot. Your caregiver can look at it under a microscope or send it to the lab. Then the caregiver can learn which type of fungus is causing your athlete's feet.
How is athlete's foot treated? Your caregiver may tell you to use an over-the-counter cream to treat your infection. Your caregiver may give you a prescription (pre-SKRIP-shun) for a special cream or gel, or for pills to take.
- Take your athlete's foot medicine exactly as ordered by your caregiver. Keep taking it until it is gone, even if your feet look like they are healed.
- Wash your feet every day and dry them well, especially between your toes.
- Change your shoes and socks every day. Use cotton or wool socks. Wear sandals, canvas tennis shoes, or other shoes that allow air to flow into your shoes. This helps decrease the amount of moisture (wetness) around your feet. Avoid plastic or rubber shoes.
- If you have blisters, soak your feet in an astringent (ah-STRIN-jent) (drying) solution. Do this for 20 to 30 minutes, two times a day to help dry out the blisters. An astringent solution may be bought at drug or grocery stores.
- Walk around barefoot or in sandals when you are at home.
How can I prevent spreading or getting athlete's foot again?
- Do not walk barefoot in public places. Wear shower shoes or sandals in warm, damp (wet) areas. This includes shower stalls, swimming pools, and locker rooms.
- Do not share socks or shoes with others.
- Keep your feet clean and dry. Put foot powder between your toes after washing and drying your feet.
- Wear clean socks every day. Change your socks if they become damp. Wash socks with detergent (clothing soap) and hot water.
Call your caregiver if :
- You think the infection is spreading.
- The infection is not better in 14 days. Call if it is not completely gone in 90 days.
- The skin on your foot or leg is red and hot.
- You have a rash on other parts of your body.
- Your medicine is making you feel nauseated (upset stomach) or dizzy.
See your caregiver right away if:
- You have a fever or shaking chills.
- You have a red line going up your leg.
CARE AGREEMENT:
You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.
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