Athlete’s Foot - Causes

Athletes foot is a fungal infection of the foot. It is caused by a microscopic fungus that lives on the dead tissue of hair, toenails, and outermost skin layers. At least four kinds of fungus can cause athletes foot. The most common of these fungi is Trichophyton rubrum. Warm and moist environments are most favorable for growth of fungi that cause athlete’s foot. Such environments include shoes, socks, swimming pools, locker rooms, and the floors of public showers. This fungal infection occurs most commonly during the summer and in warm climates, occurring more often in people who wear tight shoes, or don’t wear slippers when walking on the floors of community baths and pools. 

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