The difference between smelly feet and athlete's foot

Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
Updated on September 12, 2024
00:00
00:00

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.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
25sec home-news-image

Are athlete's foot and foot odor the same thing?

Athlete's foot and tinea pedis are actually the same type of disease; they are the same thing. "Athlete's foot" is another common name for tinea pedis. Both are superficial fungal skin diseases caused by fungal infections of the skin on the feet. The treatment methods are the same, using antifungal medications. It is important to avoid sharing slippers, foot towels, or bath towels with others.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
58sec home-news-image

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.

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

Can athlete's foot spread to other parts of the body?

Athlete's foot, commonly known as tinea pedis, is an infection by dermatophytes and is contagious. For example, it can be contracted through the shared use of public items such as slippers and towels. It is important to enhance personal skin hygiene. Do not share personal items, and promptly and effectively disinfect contaminated items using methods such as disinfectants and exposure to sunlight. For the treatment of athlete's foot, the key is to provide adequate and appropriate antifungal symptomatic treatment. If necessary, oral antifungal medications such as itraconazole dispersible tablets or terbinafine hydrochloride tablets may be used. For topical treatment, creams like luliconazole or terbinafine cream can be applied to the affected areas.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Qu Jing
Dermatology
1min 2sec home-news-image

Can soaking feet in vinegar cure athlete's foot?

Athlete's foot, also known as tinea pedis, is a condition caused by skin fungal infections affecting the superficial layers of the skin on the feet. For treatment, one can opt for antifungal ointments, and when necessary, oral antifungal medications, which are very effective in killing fungi. However, using home remedies like soaking feet in white vinegar, salt water, or applying garlic locally is not advisable. These do not effectively kill the bacteria and can instead damage the skin barrier and irritate the skin, potentially causing symptoms such as redness, flaking, and itchy sensitivity. If the concentration of vinegar is too low, it is ineffective; if too high, it can be intolerable for the skin. Therefore, if you have athlete's foot, it is best to opt for proper antifungal medications and ensure treatment for a sufficient duration.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
32sec home-news-image

The difference between athlete's foot and foot odor

Athlete's foot and tinea pedis are two completely identical diseases, with no differences between them, differing only in what they are called. Athlete's foot, also known as tinea pedis, is a common skin disease caused by fungal infections. Symptoms of athlete's foot include flaking, peeling, itching, and blisters. It is advisable to treat it with antifungal creams, and to maintain cleanliness, keep the feet dry, and avoid sharing shoes and socks.