Athlete's foot, what is it?

Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
Updated on November 25, 2024
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Tinea manuum and tinea pedis are diseases caused by fungal infections. These diseases have a high incidence rate, are highly contagious, and tend to recur. They typically occur due to exposure to external fungal infections, which initiate erosion on the surface of the palms or soles and gradually infiltrate the deeper layers of the skin. This can lead to peeling or blistering, and the itching can be intense. These conditions are also quite contagious. Once this disease occurs, it is essential to seek proper medical treatment. Treatment can be administered at a dermatology department of a standard hospital using antifungal creams applied twice daily. Persisting with the treatment for one to two months can lead to a complete recovery. After recovery, it is crucial to maintain a proper diet and lifestyle habits. Avoid public baths and swimming pools, do not share flip-flops, and ensure that used items are disinfected by exposure to sunlight.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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Is a cracked heel the same as athlete's foot?

Cracked heels are not necessarily athlete's foot. Athlete's foot is caused by fungal infections. You can visit the dermatology department of a hospital for a fungal test on cracked heels. If a fungal infection is present, then it can be confirmed as athlete's foot. If there is no fungal infection, it is likely to be fissure eczema, which is a type of allergic reaction and a particularly stubborn type of eczema. It is recommended to exclude athlete's foot infection at a standard hospital. If it is a fungal infection, using antifungal ointments such as Naftifine-Ketoconazole cream can cure it. If it belongs to fissure eczema, the treatment is more troublesome, requiring oral medication combined with topical application, and it tends to recur, not easy to completely eradicate. Avoid using hot water for washing the area, consume more vegetables and fruits to supplement vitamins and trace elements.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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What causes athlete's foot?

The main cause of athlete's foot is direct fungal infection, which is highly contagious and recurrent over time. The most common way of contracting the fungus is through direct contact with it via the hands and feet. For instance, if pets are kept at home and their hygiene is not well maintained, and they are often petted, the fungus can be transferred to the hands. During the process of washing feet, the fungus on the hands can cross-contaminate the feet, so this disease is mostly related to direct contact. It is recommended to seek professional treatment at a reputable hospital's dermatology department. Antifungal ointment can be applied topically, twice a day, and the treatment should be persisted for one to two months or longer. After recovery, avoid bathing or swimming in public baths, and do not share towels or bath scrubs with family members.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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Is tinea pedis a fungal infection?

Athlete's foot and hand fungus are both caused by fungal infections. The nature of the fungus in these two diseases is essentially the same, and they can also repeatedly cross-infect each other. For example, hand fungus can spread to the feet forming athlete's foot, or athlete's foot can spread to the hands forming hand fungus. Once diagnosed, it is essential to seek timely treatment at the dermatology department of a regular hospital. Common antifungal creams can cure it, but the treatment course must be long. It is advisable to frequently wash with hot water, expose worn shoes to the sun, disinfect hands, and avoid contact with irritants, such as dirty water and soil. If you have pets at home, make sure to maintain good hygiene. Avoid wearing shared slippers and visiting public baths or swimming pools. If other people have this condition, it is recommended to treat it together.

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Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
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What vitamins should I take for athlete's foot?

Athlete's foot can cause various symptoms on the hands and feet, including itching, blisters, peeling, and scales, severely affecting the patient's quality of life. It is suggested that vitamins should be supplemented when athlete's foot occurs. First, it is recommended to supplement with Vitamin A and consume foods rich in Vitamin A, such as carrots, spinach, water spinach, enoki mushrooms, apples, pears, etc. Additionally, it is advised to supplement with Vitamin B and consume foods rich in Vitamin B, such as sweet potatoes, oranges, etc. Finally, it is also beneficial to eat foods rich in Vitamin C and Vitamin E.

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Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
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What kind of fungus is athlete's foot?

Athlete's foot is caused by pathogenic fungi, mainly including dermatophytes, Trichophyton rubrum, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes. These fungi not only are contagious, allowing transmission to others but can also spread from one part of the body to another, potentially causing other fungal infections. Therefore, it is essential to treat athlete's foot promptly with antifungal therapy. Additionally, it is important to enhance skin resistance, keep the skin clean and dry, and avoid consuming irritating foods.