How to completely cure recurrent athlete's foot?

Written by Zhu Zhu

Dermatology

Updated on September 06, 2024

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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.

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Written by Liu Gang

Dermatology

48sec

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The causes of athlete's foot

Athlete's foot is caused by a fungal infection, and while the cause of the disease is clear, the specific process of infection is complex. Casual habits such as wearing flip-flops recklessly, sharing foot basins at home with others who have athlete’s foot, soaking in public baths, swimming, or having pets at home, as pets often harbor fungi, can all potentially lead to the disease. Once the disease occurs, it is imperative to treat it early. Long-term use of antifungal creams, applied for at least one to two months continuously, is necessary to completely kill the deep-seated fungi and prevent recurrence of the condition. After recovery, it is also important to maintain proper dietary and lifestyle habits, avoid wearing flip-flops recklessly, and stay away from public baths and swimming pools.

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Written by Zhu Zhu

Dermatology

25sec

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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.

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Written by Liu Jing

Dermatology

57sec

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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 Qu Jing

Dermatology

1min 31sec

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Is peeling skin on the feet without itchiness athlete's foot?

Peeling skin on the feet without itching is associated with hyperkeratotic athlete's foot, commonly found on the palms, toes, and heels where the skin is dry. The thickening of the stratum corneum is evident, with a rough surface, scaling, and deepened skin grooves. In winter, cracks and even bleeding might occur, and it can be painful. This type of athlete's foot generally does not have obvious itching symptoms. In addition to the hyperkeratotic type, common types of athlete's foot include the vesicular and the macerated type, both of which are notably itchy. The vesicular type typically occurs on fingertips, palms, soles, and sides of the feet. Initially, the lesions are small, deep blisters with clear fluid and thick walls that are not easily ruptured. Blisters can be scattered or clustered, and may merge into larger blisters. Removing the blister wall can expose a honeycomb-like base and a bright red eroded surface. The disease progress spreads to surrounding areas, stabilizing primarily with scaling and significant itching. The macerated type occurs frequently between toes, especially in people with sweaty hands and feet, those who are exposed to water often, or who regularly wear rubber shoes. It occurs more often in summer and is associated with noticeable itching. If a bacterial infection occurs secondary to this condition, a foul odor can also be present.

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Written by Liu Gang

Dermatology

1min

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The difference between smelly feet and athlete's foot

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.