Athletes foot, or tinea pedis, is a fungal infection of the foot. It is caused by a microscopic fungus that lives on 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.
Figure 1: Fungus
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.
Types of Athletes Foot
Interdigital: This type of athlete’s foot is also known as toe web infection. Occurring between the toes, this type is the most common kind of athletes foot. The space between the two smallest toes is the usual site for this type of athlete’s foot, and the infection may cause itching, burning, and scaling; the infection can even spread to the sole of the foot.
Moccasin: This type of athletes foot can begin with a minor irritation, dryness, itching, or scaly skin. As the symptoms of the infection develop, the skin may thicken and crack. This infection occurs on the entire sole of the foot and extends onto the sides of the foot.
Vesicular: Being the least common kind of athletes foot, the vesicular type of athlete’s foot usually begins with a sudden outbreak of fluid-filled blisters beneath the skin. The underside of the foot is the most common spot for these breakouts. However, the infection can also appear between the toes, on the heel, or on the top of the foot.
Figure 2:Athletes foot is a common infection caused by the tinea fungus (Reference 1)
References
MedlinePlus, fungal infection. Avaialable at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/fungalinfections.html#cat1
Remedys health communities. Fungal infections. http://www.healthcommunities.com/fungal-infections/risk-factors.shtml
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