What does it mean if there is fluid in athlete's foot?

Written by Qu Jing
Dermatology
Updated on January 04, 2025
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Athlete's foot, also known as tinea pedis, commonly manifests in three types: vesicular, hyperkeratotic, and intertriginous. The vesicular type is characterized by blistering and scaling, typically occurring on the tips of the fingers, the palms, and the sides of the feet. Initially, the skin lesions appear as small, scattered blisters the size of a pinhead. The blister fluid is clear, and the blister walls are relatively thick. These blisters can cluster and merge to form larger blisters, eventually losing their walls to expose a honeycomb-like base and a raw, eroded surface. After several days, the blisters can dry out and flake off. As the condition progresses and exudation increases, it can develop into the intertriginous type, which primarily affects the web spaces between the fingers or toes. It is more common in people who sweat excessively, soak their feet in water, or wear rubber shoes for extended periods, particularly during the summer. The skin becomes soaked and appears whitish, with a soft surface that peels off easily, revealing a moist red eroded area with exudate, often accompanied by cracking and significant itching. When secondary bacterial infection occurs, there is typically an odor. If not promptly controlled, it can lead to secondary infections, producing pustules and ulcers, and may also lead to acute lymphangitis, lymphadenitis, cellulitis, or erysipelas. In severe or recurrent cases, it can also induce local eczematous changes and disseminated dermatophytosis.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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What vitamin is lacking in athlete's foot?

Athlete's foot is a disease caused by fungal infections, and it is not related to a lack of vitamins or trace elements. Once it occurs, it is highly contagious and recurrent. Contact with others or wearing each other's slippers can lead to cross-infection. Once it appears, it is advisable to apply antifungal cream as early as possible. The treatment should be prolonged, lasting at least one month, or even more than two months, to potentially kill the deep-rooted fungus completely and prevent recurrence. During the treatment of athlete's foot, it is also important to regulate one's diet and lifestyle habits. Avoid public baths and swimming, try not to keep small animals at home, do not wear others' slippers, avoid spicy and stimulating foods, and do not stay up late.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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Can Sichuan pepper water cure athlete's foot?

Athlete's foot is caused by a fungal infection, and soaking feet in sichuan pepper water is not very effective in treating it. Sichuan pepper water has certain antibacterial and anti-itch effects, but while it is somewhat effective against common bacteria, its fungicidal action is not very strong. Therefore, it is essential to treat athlete's foot with standard antifungal creams, such as naftifine and ketoconazole ointment, which can completely cure the condition. The treatment period should be slightly longer to avoid incomplete eradication, leading to recurrence of the condition. Shoes and socks should be thoroughly sun-dried and disinfected, and towels and footbaths should be used separately from other family members to prevent cross-infection. For some more stubborn cases of athlete's foot, where topical medications do not work well, oral antifungal medications may be considered.

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Written by Liu Jing
Dermatology
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What should I do if my athlete's foot is very itchy?

Athlete's foot, also known as tinea pedis, can manifest as intense itching of the skin. First, it is necessary to enhance the cleanliness of the foot skin, avoid various irritating causes, and provide standard and effective antifungal symptomatic treatment. Oral antifungal medications such as itraconazole or terbinafine can be used, and various antifungal ointments can be applied to the affected area, such as the commonly used naftifine-ketoconazole cream, terbinafine cream, luliconazole cream, and miconazole cream. The treatment should last more than two weeks to avoid the recurrence of symptoms. Everyday, it is necessary to frequently change shoes and socks, maintain dryness, ventilation, and good breathability, and avoid dampness. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

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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.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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How to stop itching from athlete's foot?

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.