How to stop itching from athlete's foot?

Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
Updated on September 30, 2024
00:00
00:00

Athlete's foot is a disease caused by fungal infection, which is contagious and recurrent. The main symptoms usually are blisters and sores appearing on the soles of the feet or between the toes, and the condition is quite itchy. Most people tend to scratch the blisters until they break open, leading to infection. Once occurrence is observed, it is essential to apply an official antifungal cream, which can help relieve the itchiness. If the itching is severe in a short period, hot water can be used to scald the affected area, but after scalding, it is still necessary to continue applying the cream. After recovery, it is important to regulate one's diet and lifestyle habits, avoid public baths and swimming, and refrain from consuming spicy and stimulating foods.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Jing
Dermatology
1min 8sec home-news-image

Can iodophor treat athlete's foot?

Athlete's foot, commonly known as tinea pedis, is an infection caused by dermatophyte fungi. Antifungal medications are required for symptomatic treatment. However, iodophors, as disinfectants, do not have a therapeutic effect on athlete's foot. Daily enhancement of foot hygiene, frequent changing of shoes and socks, and maintaining a dry and ventilated environment are important. Laboratory examinations, including scraping skin scales from affected areas for microscopic examination of fungi, are necessary. A positive laboratory result further supports the diagnosis of tinea pedis. Treatment involves the application of antifungal creams such as naftifine and ketoconazole. To adequately control symptoms and prevent recurrence, it may be necessary to take oral antifungal medications, such as terbinafine hydrochloride tablets, itraconazole dispersible tablets or capsules, for a treatment course of more than 2 weeks. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Qu Jing
Dermatology
1min 19sec home-news-image

Should the peeling skin be removed after using medication for athlete's foot?

After applying medication for athlete's foot, you should not peel the skin off with your hands, as this can damage the surrounding tissue and potentially lead to further infections, acute lymphangitis, lymphadenitis, or erysipelas. When inflammation is obvious, it may also trigger localized eczematous changes or a systemic bacterial rash. There are two possibilities for peeling after medication: one is that the peeling is caused by the primary disease, such as hyperkeratotic tinea pedis, in which case strong desquamating agents like compound benzoic acid ointment can continue to be used. If necessary, occlusive dressings may also be applied. If the peeling is not caused by athlete's foot itself but by irritation from the medication, such as erosive soaking tinea pedis treated with 3% boric acid ointment that has dried out, then stop using irritating and strongly desquamating medications. Instead, it is recommended to use creams and ointments. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
38sec home-news-image

How to completely cure recurrent athlete's foot?

Athlete's foot, also known as tinea pedis, is caused by a fungal infection of the skin on the feet and is particularly prone to recurrent outbreaks. If recurrent outbreaks occur frequently, it is first and foremost important to pay attention to hygiene. Additionally, wearing breathable shoes and socks to keep the feet dry and clean is recommended. Avoid sharing footwear, towels, foot basins, and other personal items with others. Finally, it is crucial to adhere to treatment; the course of antifungal medication must be sufficient.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
54sec home-news-image

Does Huoxiang Zhengqi Water treat athlete's foot?

Huoxiang Zhengqi Water is generally used to treat summer colds, dizziness, fever, or diseases accompanied by cold symptoms. It has no special effect on treating athlete's foot. Athlete's foot is caused by fungal infections and is contagious and recurrent. For treating athlete's foot, it is best to use formal medications, otherwise, due to its high contagiousness, it might spread to family members. Currently, commonly used ointments include Naftifine Ketoconazole Cream or Nitrate Sertaconazole Cream, and the treatment usually requires a long course, at least persisting for more than a month. Or after the symptoms have completely disappeared, continue using it for about half a month more, which can generally cure it completely. Towels and basins for washing feet, used daily, must be separated from those of other family members to prevent cross-infection.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
38sec home-news-image

Will having athlete's foot cause an infection during a water birth?

Giving birth in water does not increase the risk of infection; in fact, the rate of newborns carrying bacteria significantly decreases when birth occurs in water. The reason is that water can wash off the bacteria on the baby's body, and the birth takes place in a special tub where the water is flowing and free of bacteria. Before the birth, the doctor will disinfect the mother. In current practices, liquids are generally used to inhibit the growth of pathogens, so infections like athlete's foot are generally not caused during childbirth.