What kind of fungus is athlete's foot?

Written by Zhu Zhu

Dermatology

Updated on February 08, 2025

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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.

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Written by Liu Gang

Dermatology

58sec

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How to treat tinea manuum and tinea pedis?

Athlete's foot belongs to a disease caused by fungal infection. There are many methods to treat this disease, but the most common one is still the direct application of antifungal cream, twice a day, for at least one to two months or more, to completely kill the deep-seated fungi and achieve the purpose of eradication. Also, you can frequently wash with hot water, apply iodine locally, which can also inhibit the growth of fungi. Alternatively, using sulfur soap more often can also kill the fungi. Once this disease is discovered, it must be treated as early as possible, otherwise the symptoms will become more severe. After curing, it is also important to prevent recurrence, avoid spicy and irritating food, don’t wear flip-flops randomly, avoid soaking in public baths or swimming, try not to keep small animals at home, and if a family member has this disease, it is recommended to treat it together.

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Written by Zhu Zhu

Dermatology

34sec

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How is athlete's foot formed?

The fundamental cause of athlete's foot is a pathogenic fungal infection of the skin. It particularly affects those with weakened immune systems or those who are continuously in moist, warm environments, as fungi thrive in such conditions. Additionally, low immune function can lead to infection. Lastly, athlete's foot can also spread through direct or indirect contact, especially through shared use of bath towels, foot towels, handkerchiefs, etc.

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Written by Liu Gang

Dermatology

46sec

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Can tinea pedis be cured?

Athlete's foot can be completely cured; this disease is caused by a fungal infection. Fungal infections are contagious and tend to recur, but they can be eradicated with proper treatment. Once diagnosed, it is advisable to seek formal treatment in the dermatology department of a regular hospital. Common antifungal creams should be applied twice a day for at least one to two months, and this will typically lead to a cure. After being cured, it is important to prevent recurrence. Try to avoid public bathhouses and swimming, do not wear other people's slippers, and if other family members have the disease, they should be treated at the same time. Avoid sharing washcloths and towels, do not keep small animals at home, and try to avoid contact with dirty water, sand, and soil.

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Written by Liu Gang

Dermatology

57sec

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What vitamin is lacking in tinea pedis?

Athlete's foot is a disease caused by fungal infection, and it is not directly related to a lack of vitamins or trace elements. Some patients lacking vitamins or trace elements have symptoms very similar to those of athlete's foot, but the fundamental causes of their conditions are different. If it is hard to distinguish, one can go to the dermatology department of a regular hospital to have a fungal test done. Therefore, it is not necessary to supplement vitamins or trace elements to treat athlete's foot. It requires the application of antifungal ointments externally, and the treatment period must be long in order to kill the deep-seated fungi and achieve complete eradication. After healing, it is also important to prevent the recurrence of the condition; do not go to public baths or swimming pools, avoid contact with irritating substances, and if there is someone else in the household with the same disease, they must be treated together.

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Written by Liu Gang

Dermatology

53sec

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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.