What is athlete’s foot?

Athlete’s foot is an irritating condition of the skin between the toes. It’s most often due to an infection by a fungus similar to the one that causes ringworm. These fungi like to live in warm, moist surroundings, and as they feed on the keratin found in skin, hair, and nails, the spaces between your toes are an ideal home for them. In some cases, a yeast infection causes athlete’s foot rather than a fungus, but this is uncommon.

Athlete’s foot is contagious, which means it’s spread by contact with infected skin cells either directly with an infected person’s feet or by touching something which has been in contact with infected skin. That’s why it’s so frequently picked up at swimming pools where people walk around barefoot, or through wearing someone else’s shoes or using the same towels or bedding.

What are the symptoms of athlete’s foot?

If you have athlete’s foot, the skin between your toes feels uncomfortable. Symptoms can vary according to which fungus is causing the infection but typically include:

• Redness
• Flaking skin
• Blisters
• Scaly skin
• Thickened skin
• Itchiness
• Soreness
• Fluid leaking from the skin
• Unpleasant smell

If other health conditions such as diabetes depress your immune system, you’re more likely to pick up an infection. If left untreated, the fungus may spread onto your toenails and further across your feet and can even pass onto your hands.

We are proud to participate with several government and commercial insurance plans. The Pacific Podiatry Center accepts most major insurance plans. We also welcome patients without insurance.

Please call our office at (786) 322-3111 and we will be happy to provide information regarding out-of-pocket costs.