Skin and Nail Concerns Treatment

What You Need To Know

Understanding skin and nail concerns can help you seek care before symptoms worsen.

Understanding Skin and Nail Concerns

Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection of the skin on the top or bottom of your foot or between your toes. It’s closely linked to other fungal infections like jock itch and ringworm. Athlete’s foot can occur on one or both feet. Left untreated, the fungal infection can spread to other areas of your body, and also increases your risk of bacterial infection.

Knowing the symptoms of athlete’s foot can help you know when to seek treatment. Some things to keep an eye out for include itching, with flare-ups after you remove your socks and shoes; burning or stinging sensations; peeling, flaky, or scaling skin around or between your toes; inflamed patches of skin, often with red, grey, or purple discoloration; and blistering.

Foot fungus easily spreads from one person to the next. Some people tend to experience frequent infections, so taking steps to prevent athlete’s foot is important. Foot fungus thrives in environments that are warm and wet, which is why locker rooms, showers, and pool decks are common sources of exposure.

Taking action as soon as you notice symptoms can prevent significant itching and discomfort. Your podiatrist can quickly determine if your symptoms align with a fungal infection and recommend a treatment plan that addresses the infection at its source.

Treatment and Prevention Options

Athlete’s foot can be incredibly uncomfortable, and also difficult to control without professional treatment. The specialists at Advanced Foot and Ankle Center help patients throughout Utah find lasting relief from athlete’s foot and other fungal infections.

Treatment options include prescription-strength topical medications to destroy the fungus. Some people respond best to oral antifungal drugs, and a combination of topical and oral medications is sometimes the best course of action. Be sure to adhere to treatment guidelines closely to thoroughly eliminate the fungus from your body.

You’ll also need to use an antifungal product to destroy any fungus within your shoes. Wash socks using hot water to prevent reinfection, and consider thoroughly cleaning bathroom and shower floors to keep the fungus from returning.

Prevention plays a key role in avoiding future infections. Avoid walking barefoot in public areas with wet floors, including gym floors, locker rooms, showers, and pool decks. Don’t share shoes or towels with others, and be sure to allow your shoes to thoroughly dry before wearing them again. Taking time to carefully dry your feet after showering or swimming can also go a long way toward reducing your exposure.

With the right combination of treatment and preventive habits, most patients experience clear, comfortable skin and can keep future flare-ups at bay.