Itchy Toes? What Can it Mean?

Have you ever been laying in bed and your feet started itching? Is there a worse feeling than trying to nod off to sleep but the areas between your toes are itching and burning? If you regularly suffer from itchy and dry skin, this could be sign of a fungal infection also known as athlete’s foot. If you don’t treat the infection right away, it will spread to other parts of your body, including your toenails. Once this happens, the infection just gets tougher to treat.

Description

A careful examination of you toes might clue you in on what is causing the itchiness. Athlete’s foot (also know as Tinea Pedis) and ringworm are fungal infections that will make the skin flaky and red.

Scabies will look like a bumpy red rash. Scabies is actually mites that have taken up residence under your skin.

No matter what you see, you’ll want to call your physician for a proper diagnosis and to ensure you get the right treatment.

Causes

Why do these nasty diseases strike your feet? The answer is that our feet are a great place for fungi to live. There is food and an environment that is perfect for it to grow and thrive. The spaces between our toes are sometimes damp and warm.

Fungi live off nutrients like keratin, that are found in our skin cells. While you will most often find ringworm or athlete’s foot between your toes, dermatophytes, or scabies, can also cause skin to become itchy and dry.

Transmission

As mentioned above, fungi love areas that are warm and damp. They are especially drawn to pools or communal shower floors. Infections are passed among people indirectly when they walk barefoot in locker rooms or public showers. Sharing a towel with someone else is also a bad idea, as it is another way that fungus spreads.

Scabies is generally found in locations where there are lots of people close together, like classrooms or day care centers. Those nasty mites can jump from person to person through towels, clothing, or sheets.

Treatment

Often, fungal infections are easy to treat with lotions and creams you can buy over-the-counter. Since athlete’s foot can make your skin crack, it is possible for the infection to enter your bloodstream. At this point, you have a bacterial infection to deal with. To treat this, you will need to see your doctor to get a prescription for antibiotics.

This is why it is so important to start treatment right away. Not only can you spread your infection to other people, athlete’s foot and other infections spread easily to other parts of your own body, like nearby toenails and other toes.

With scabies, even after the infection has been treated, you may feel discomfort or itching for weeks after.

Prevention

Luckily, there are many ways to prevent scabies and athlete’s foot. The easiest thing to do is to make sure that you dry your feet completely after getting them wet. It seems obvious, but make sure that you change your socks every day and buy socks made out of wool or cotton, because these are more breathable materials and will keep your feet cool and dry.

Regarding scabies, make sure you do not share bedding, towels, or brushes with people who are infected.

Oral Medications for Athlete’s Foot

Athlete’s foot is caused by a fungal or bacterial infection. Symptoms include dry skin, blisters, itching, peeling or flaky skin, or a burning sensation between your toes. Usually, these are treated with an anti-fungal lotion, but for more serious cases you may need to take an oral medication. Some of these medications include:

Itraconazole

This medication is most often proscribed for oral fungal infections, including infections in the mouth, throat, and lungs. However, it is also used to treat infections in toe and fingernails. Your doctor may prescribe it to you as a liquid, capsule, or tablet, but whatever the form, you need to take the medicine exactly as it is prescribed.

There are possible side effects with Itraconazole. These include a skin rash, headaches, stomach pain, itching, dizziness, constipation, or diarrhea. The effects will normally go away in less than five days, but you need to contact your doctor immediately if they go on for longer or become severe. If you have any of these more dangerous side effects, you need to contact your doctor right away. These include dark colored urine, swelling, extreme weight gain in a short period of time, a change in stool color, fever, nausea, shortness of breath, hearing problems, pain while urinating, or a yellowing of the eyes or skin.

Make sure that you tell your doctor what other medications you are taking because prescriptions containing ergonavine, cisapride, midazolam, lovastatin, and quinidine can negatively interact with itraconazole.

Fluconazole

This medication is like itraconazole in that it is usually used to treat internal infections like those occurring in the stomach, mouth, throat, organs, and vagina. In fact, it is used primarily to cure yeast infections. It will be prescribed as a tablet or liquid and must be taken every day. As with itraconazole, there are a number of side effects that will usually go away after a couple days, including heartburn, stomach pain, diarrhea, or a change in the way food tastes.

If you have any of these serious side effects, you need to call your doctor right away. These dangerous signs include poor appetite, bruising or bleeding, difficulty swallowing or breathing, a yellow tint in the eyes or skin, a rash, or seizures. Again, because of negative drug interactions, you need to inform your doctor of all the medications you take. The ones that are particularly bad to take with fluconazole include zidovudine, terfenadine, stall, rifampin, valproic acid, and warfarin. If you are on any of these, your doctor may change the dose of fluconazole accordingly.

Terbinafine

Finally, the drug most commonly used to treat athlete’s foot or other fungal infections on the finger or toenails is terbinafine.

Your doctor will prescribe this in the form of a tablet that you need to take every day for 3 months. As with all medications, there may be side effects. The ones generally associated with terbinafine include hives, rash, itching, and stomach pain. If they do not go away after a few weeks, you need to contact your doctor. If you experience any of these dangerous side effects, you need to contact your doctor right away. These include a severe rash, sore throat, fever, dark urine, a change in stool color, a sore throat, vomiting, or extreme fatigue.

Medical Treatment for Athlete’s Foot

See a Doctor

If you think you may have athlete’s foot, otherwise known as tinea pedis, it is important to see your doctor for a proper diagnosis. Your medical provider will ask you to discuss any previous infections and describe your current symptoms. Make sure you provide a complete history.

Your doctor might take a nail or skin sample if your symptoms look unusual or if this is a returning infection. He or she will obtain this sample by using a microscope slide to lightly scratch your skin. Your doctor may also trim your nails for a sample. Laboratory tests will be performed to confirm and identify the fungus.

A biopsy may be performed, but only in very rare cases.

Treatment

To start, your doctor may recommend using an over-the-counter anti-fungal ointment like terbinafine, clotrimazole, tolnaftate, or miconazole. These are all creams that you will apply to the infected areas.

The next step will be to try prescription antifungal medications. Some are applied topically, like butenafine, naftifine, and clotrimazole. Oral antifungals include itraconazole, fluconazole, and terbinafine. These are taken in a capsule form.

Usually, your doctor won’t prescribe an oral anti-fungal because they may cause serious side effects and are quite expensive.

As with all antibiotics, even if you think the infection is gone, you must follow your doctor’s orders and take the medicine exactly as prescribed. If you don’t, there’s a good chance the infection will resurface.

Types of Athlete’s Foot

There are a few different types of athlete’s foot. They include:

Toe Web: The most common infection, it usually occurs between your toes. If you think you have toe web, use nonprescription antifungals and dry and clean your feet often.
Moccasin-type infections: These are so-named because your skin takes on a scaly, thick look, much like the skin of a snake. This type of infection is really hard to eradicate because it’s on the foot’s sole where the skin is really thick. Since it is difficult to get rid of, you may need a prescription anti-fungal ointment.
Blisters: Also known as vesicular infections, these are usually on your instep. They will also sometimes occur on the top of the foot, the bottom of your foot, heel, or between the toes. This could also be caused by bacteria, but it is very uncommon. Since it is more serious:
1. The blister may need to be removed.
2. You or your doctor will have to dry the blister out. You can usually do this by using a Burow’s solution to soak your feet for a few days. After the blister is dry, you can use an anti-fungal cream.
3. If the infection is caused by bacteria, you’ll need to take an antibiotic as well.
4. If your infection is really bad, your medical provider may also give you corticosteroid pills.

Recurrence

There are a number of reasons that athlete’s foot may return. As discussed above, if you do not take your medicine as prescribed, you are increasing the chance of the infection returning. The other issue may be that you are not doing enough to prevent the fungal infection.

The ways to prevent a fungal infection are:

Let your feet breathe by wearing shoes or sandals.
Always dry the area between your toes.
Go barefoot as much as possible when you’re at home.
Change your socks whenever they get damp.
Powder your feet with an anti-fungal powder or talcum.
Let your shoes air out at least every other day.
Wear flip flops when you’re at a public pool or shower.

Final Thoughts

Many don’t get their athlete’s foot treated because they don’t notice it or are not bothered by the symptoms. However, the longer you let the infection linger, the higher the chance that you may get a bacterial infection that will require medical treatment.

Also, keep in mind that if you have an infection, you may be spreading it to others.

Avoiding Athlete’s Foot

Avoiding Athlete’s Foot at the Salon

Most people think of athlete’s foot as something that only affects athletic people. However, anyone can get it. Athlete’s foot is caused by a fungus or bacteria that attacks the skin between our toes and the soles of our feet. Commons signs are sensitive, dry, or red skin. Warm, moist environments are perfect for these fungi to grow.

How can I get it at a salon?

The last thing most of us are thinking about when we’re having a relaxing day at the spa is contracting athlete’s foot, but it’s a more common place to get it than you may think. In fact, it’s the only disease you’re likely to pick up at a nail salon. People catch this nasty bacteria when the spa does not properly sanitize tools or whirlpools.

When you’re at a nail salon, it’s possible that the person before you was infected. Workers have to make sure that they thoroughly clean the equipment and foot tubs so that athlete’s foot does not jump from one customer to the next. However, it is tough to get rid of the fungus, so salons need to properly train their workers in appropriate disinfecting practices. When you’re at a salon, don’t be shy about asking how they clean the equipment.

How do I prevent it?

While it’s unlikely that you’ll catch athlete’s foot at home, there are still some precautions you should take. Make sure you wear dry-wick socks because they are less likely to make your feet sweat. Disinfect your shoes with a spray or anti-fungal foot powder. Also, keep your feet as dry as possible by taking off your shoes as often as you can.

On the other hand, avoid walking around barefoot in public places, especially swimming pools, saunas, and public showers.

If you’re going to a new salon, and you’re not sure how they disinfect their equipment, consider bringing your own tools.

Symptoms

If you did not take the above precautions, and you’re worried thatbyou may have aAthlete’s foot, look for these symptoms:

Blisters
Itching and burning feet
Extremely dry soles
Redness or calluses
Skin peeling from your foot

How do I get rid of it?

There are medicated powders that can help cure the infection. Usually, you will be prescribed either Miconazole or Tolnaftate.

Some also treat themselves by concocting a remedy made of 20% white vinegar and 80% water. If you soak your feet in this for 10 minutes every day, you can kill the bacteria.

Another important part of treatment is anti-fungal creams. There are a lot of options, so you will want to ask your doctor which one she recommends. Some of the options are terbinafine, clotrimazole, econazole nitrate, and shampoos with ketoconazole. There are side effects, so you will want to discuss your medical history with your doctor.

One last thing

Don’t forget about your toenails. A lot of people get infected or reinfected because they ignore their nails. Infections can get under your nails just as easily as they can get on your foot. Know in advance that it’s tougher to get rid of nail fungus. It can take up to three or four months.

7 Easy Tips to Reduce the Risk of Athlete’s Foot

Athlete’s Foot is caused by bacteria and fungi, so you must prevent these from growing on your feet. If you are tired of dealing with athlete’s foot, there are a few simple rules to follow:

Do not walk around with damp feet. Many people end up with damp feet because they do not switch up their footwear often enough. So, the simplest way to prevent athlete’s foot? Change your shoes every other day. Also, let your shoes air out for about 24 hours before you wear them again. The shoes will dry faster if you store them in a dry, airy place.

Another way to stop fungus and bacteria from taking up residence inside your footwear is to purchase a shoe dryer. There are many shoe dryers and sterilizers on the market that can efficiently control shoe dampness and prevent athlete’s foot.

Do not wear tight shoes. Shoes that are too tight prevent air from circulating between your foot and the shoe. Shoes that are made with poor materials may also prevent air circulation. If your feet are not getting enough air, they will sweat. Constant sweating keeps your feet damp, and damp feet lead to the growth of fungus.

If you are in a shared shower or locker room, do not walk around barefoot. If you regularly shower in a public area, carry flip flops with you so that you do not need to walk around barefoot. If you don’t wear flip flops, you will likely pick up some bacteria or fungus and end up with athlete’s foot.

Try not to do activities that will keep your feet damp for a long time. If possible, avoid jobs where your feet will be wet for long periods of time. If you are stuck in a job like this, consider purchasing special socks or other items to minimize dampness. When you get a break, dry your feet as soon as possible. Then, in your free time, expose your feet to fresh air and warm them in the sun.

Replace old shoes. In addition to replacing shoes and spraying them with anti-fungal spray, make sure that you are changing your socks every day. Replace socks regularly to make sure they are not holding on to the nasty stuff that leads to athlete’s foot.

Let your feet breathe with open-toed shoes and sandals. Sandals and open-toed shoes keep the air circulating, which means your feet stay dry. When you can’t wear sandals, make sure you remove damp shoes as soon as possible. To dry your feet off, powder them and let them enjoy some fresh air.

Listen to your feet. Even if your feet do not appear to be infected, keep an eye on them anyway. As soon as you get a hint of an infection, start treatment right away. Since reinfection is so likely, if you have recently dealt with an infection, you will want to stay extra vigilant. If you keep getting infections, pay attention to your environment. You may have missed something.