The difference between smelly feet and athlete's foot

Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
Updated on September 12, 2024
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Athlete's foot is a disease caused by a fungal infection, characterized by being contagious and recurrent. Typically, after contracting athlete's foot, small blisters may appear on the foot, and these blisters can burst, possibly resulting in an unpleasant odor or foot odor. Additionally, wearing shoes for a long time that are tightly fitted and cause excessive foot sweating might also contribute to the condition. If it is merely foot odor, it is related to the fermentation of bacteria on the foot, such as wearing synthetic socks or excessive sweating of the feet, and infrequent foot washing. These factors can all cause foot odor, which is different from athlete's foot. Foot odor requires frequent washing with hot water, and it is advisable to avoid spicy and irritating foods. Treatment for athlete's foot involves the application of antifungal creams. Furthermore, foot odor is not contagious, whereas athlete's foot is contagious.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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Athlete's foot is due to a lack of which vitamin?

Athlete's foot is a disease caused by fungal infection, and it is not related to the lack of vitamins or trace elements. Once infected with athlete's foot, it must be treated formally. Generally, the use of antifungal creams, such as naftifine and ketoconazole ointment applied continuously, can cure it. The duration of medication must be long, at least more than one month, or until symptoms completely disappear, and then continue using it for about half a month afterwards, which can basically achieve the purpose of eradication. However, this disease is highly contagious. Shoes and socks that have been worn must be sun-dried and disinfected. Foot towels and foot basins should be used separately from family members to avoid infecting them. Therefore, once athlete's foot occurs, it must be treated promptly. Avoid going to public baths and wearing shared slippers to prevent re-infection. (Under the guidance of a doctor when using medication)

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Written by Liu Jing
Dermatology
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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.)

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Written by Qu Jing
Dermatology
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Is peeling skin on the feet without itching athlete's foot?

Peeling of the skin on the feet without itching is considered to be a type of athlete's foot characterized by excessive keratinization, commonly occurring on the soles, toes, and heels. The affected skin appears dry, with clear hyperkeratosis, thickening, rough surface, scaling, and deepened skin lines. In winter, cracks can occur, possibly leading to bleeding and pain. This type of athlete's foot generally does not exhibit marked itching symptoms. Besides the hyperkeratinotic type, common forms of athlete's foot include the blistering scaly type and the macerated erosive type, both of which typically have more pronounced itching symptoms. The blistering scaly type often appears on the fingertips, sides of the feet, and toes. Initially, this condition presents as pinhead-sized blisters deep in the skin, with clear fluid and a thick, shiny wall, which are not easily ruptured. These blisters may be scattered or cluster and can merge into larger blisters. Tearing off the blister wall reveals a honeycomb base and a fresh red erosive surface. After several days, the blisters dry up, leading to a ring-like scaling, with lesions continuously spreading outwards. During stable phases of this condition, scaling predominates, and itching becomes more apparent. The macerated erosive type, also known as the interdigital type, is frequently observed between the toes, especially between the third and fourth or fourth and fifth toes, and is commonly associated with hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) and prolonged wearing of rubber footwear. It is more prevalent in the summer and significantly itchy. If a secondary bacterial infection occurs, there may also be an unpleasant odor.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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What should I do if I get athlete's foot on my face?

Athlete's foot is caused by a fungal infection. Fungi are contagious, so it is possible for the infection to spread to the face and even other parts of the body. In such cases, it is necessary to use antifungal creams. Currently, common treatments include Nystatin Ketoconazole Cream or Miconazole Nitrate Cream. However, the treatment period is relatively long, requiring at least one month of continuous medication, or continuing treatment for an additional ten days to half a month after the symptoms have completely disappeared. Athlete's foot itself also needs to be treated thoroughly, as only by completely curing athlete's foot can the spread of the infection to other parts of the body be prevented. It is recommended that personal items such as foot-washing towels and basins be used separately from other family members to prevent cross-infection. Items that have been used should be thoroughly disinfected and exposed to sunlight to kill the fungi.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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Is there a relationship between tinea cruris and athlete's foot?

Jock itch and athlete's foot are both caused by fungal infections, and the fungi in these two areas are essentially the same. Most cases of jock itch are related to athlete's foot. Some people have athlete's foot and are careless in their daily lives, washing their socks together with their underwear, which can lead to cross-infection and the transfer of athlete's foot to form jock itch. Others may not have athlete's foot but develop jock itch due to poor hygiene habits, such as frequent visits to public baths for swimming or working in humid and hot environments, and bathing infrequently. Keeping small animals and not cleaning the fungi or molds from the animals in a timely manner can also lead to jock itch. Therefore, there is a certain relationship between these two conditions, but the correlation is not absolute. Once discovered, proper treatment in the early stages can cure it in a very short time.