Athlete’s Foot
Athlete’s foot is a highly common skin condition that typically starts between the toes. When left untreated, it can spread to other areas of your feet and body, including the hands, nails, and groin. If you suspect you may have athlete’s foot, Foot and Ankle Specialists of Central PA offers advanced athlete’s foot treatments that can help you. Schedule an appointment today with our experts, who are both physicians and surgeons, and utilize their extensive training to heal your condition.
What Is Athlete’s Foot?
Athlete’s foot, otherwise known as tinea pedis, is a fungal infection that can result from excessive sweating and confinement of your feet. It is commonly spread through contaminated flooring, towels, or clothes. The condition normally manifests as a scaly rash that can itch, sting, or burn. Symptomatic itching is usually the most intense right after removing your socks.
In severe cases, this condition can develop into moccasin foot, which causes extremely scaly, thick, and rough skin to grow on the sole of your foot. In other cases, bacterial infections can develop, causing pain, swelling, heat, fever, and drainage to occur at the rash site. If you identify with one or more of the following risk factors, you may be more at risk for developing athlete’s foot than others:
- You are male
- You frequently wear tight footwear
- You share mats, rugs, bedsheets, or shoes with others
- You walk barefoot in communal areas like locker rooms, saunas, swimming pools, and more
If any of these factors describe you and you are experiencing symptoms of athlete’s foot, be sure to seek treatment right away. Our knowledgeable care team can administer treatment and have you back on your feet in no time.
How Is It Treated?
Athlete’s foot is commonly treated with over-the-counter powders, creams, ointments, and sprays, including miconazole, terbinafine, and clotrimazole. However, if your case is not cleared up by these methods, our team may prescribe a prescription-strength topical medicine or a systemic antifungal pill to fight your condition.
Aside from treating your athlete’s foot, our care team will also provide you with preventative education to help you keep your feet and ankles healthy throughout your lifetime. Among these strategies, we suggest the following to all of our patients:
- Keep your feet dry
- Regularly change your socks
- Wear comfortable, well-ventilated footwear
- Alternate between different pairs of shoes
- Protect your feet in public spaces
- Avoid scratching any rashes
- Don’t share shoes
Guaranteeing Your Satisfaction
Aside from delivering cutting-edge services like MLS laser therapy and Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Technology (EPAT), our number one priority at Foot and Ankle Specialists of Central PA is your satisfaction. To earn it, we provide personalized treatments that consider your unique medical history to enhance treatment success.
For years, we have been providing an exceptional quality of care for patients in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, and beyond. But don’t take our word for it – our testimonials speak volumes about the quality of care our customers have come to expect from us. To get treated for athlete’s foot or another foot and ankle condition, contact our compassionate, knowledgeable team to schedule an appointment today.