Vincent McConnell
BIO 102 research paper- Tinea Pedis (Athlete’s Foot)
9-18-14
Tinea is a fungus that grows and multiplies on people’s skin. This is the cause for ringworm and other common fungal infections. Tinea Pedis is a form of ringworm that affects the feet, also called Athlete’s Foot. This fungal infection is the most common form of the ringworm infection and affects many people daily. It is easily spread through any contact with the infection but luckily it can usually be diagnosed rather easily also. This is not a life-threating infection but it does cause much discomfort and displeasure to anyone suffering with it. This infection usually begins in-between toes and is caused by moist feet, usually sweat, inside tight shoes and socks. Athlete’s foot causes itching, stinging, and burning and ways it can be spread include contaminated floors, clothing, or anything that has been exposed to the fungus. This fungal infection is closely related to jock itch and is treated in similar ways.
Athlete’s foot is not only found on “athletes” or even just the foot. This fungus thrives on any damp, warm area which usually is the feet due to shoes being restricting and sweat making them damp. Small cuts or injuries can help the infection begin. This infection can be spread relatively easily compared to some due to how easily it can be caught. Walking barefoot in public showers, or just stepping in or around a public pool is a common way to get the infection. Another way is simply sharing a towel with someone who has the infection.
This fungal infection can spread to other parts of the body from contact with towels or your own hands. Other common areas that Athlete’s Foot is found is under nails due to scratching, hands, and sometimes is mistaken for jock itch. When nails get infected they usually become discolored or begin to crack.
Athlete’s foot does respond well to at home care and over the counter medications usually work. Anti-fungal ointments and creams, or even powders are sold at almost all drug stores or supermarkets and will help out. These products usually will eventually get rid of the fungal infection but more than likely it will occur again. A way to prevent it from coming back is to use the cream, or whatever over the counter medicine being used, well after it’s gone. This just helps any reminisces of the fungus to be disinfected, almost how antibiotics are supposed to be taken to finish an entire prescription, even if symptoms are gone. If signs of infection keep coming about then your doctor should be notified.
Most of the time Athlete’s foot can be diagnosed just by looking at the skin. Obviously a doctor can tell better than an ordinary person but it’s usually pretty clear what it is. If it becomes uncertain what is causing the infection or the doctor wants to make sure his/her diagnosis is correct, a skin culture can be performed. This is just a laboratory test that looks for and finds germs that are causing infections in the skin. This can help determine what medication is needed or simply what is causing it. These tests can take up to three to four weeks to come up with results but they’re effective.
Sometimes the infections worsens and over the counter medication won’t do the trick. Doctors can prescribe medications that will treat athlete’s foot in a more intense nature. These prescribed medications can be in the form of creams and lotions called topical antifungals, which are put directly onto the infected skin. Other Medications come in the form of oral pills which are usually only prescribed for more serious cases of the infection. These oral medications are extremely expensive and require extensive tests to watch for dangerous side effects. These side effects can include liver complications or failures, or weaken the heart’s ability to contract leading to heart failure. Blood tests are usually done periodically to prevent such things from occurring. Like mentioned before with antibiotics, these medications should be taken for the full length prescribed even if symptoms subside.
Tinea is a common fungus on the skin and is hard to get rid of once it has multiplied. Even if over the counter medications or prescribed medications get rid of the fungus it is still fairly common to get the fungal infection again.
Symptoms for Athlete’s Foot include many annoyances. The toe web type occurs in-between toes, usually between the fourth and pinky toe and is the most common form. A Vesicular type usually causes blisters if the case worsens. This type is the least common and is usually accompanied by a bacterial infection. Another type of athlete’s foot is a moccasin type, which causes extremely dry and thick skin on the bottom of the foot and heel. This can spread higher up around the ankle also. This type if very difficult to treat due to the skin being very thick and hard. Most of the time the itching and burning sensations are worse right when it is exposed to the air after being confined in a shoe or sock. Some forms cause extremely dry skin and could be mistaken for just that instead of a true fungal infection.
Keeping your feet clean and good hygiene are simple ways to prevent from getting this infection. Symptoms should be treated immediately to prevent the infection from worsening. The infection is extremely uncomfortable and most would not enjoy it. Keeping your feet dry and non-constricted will also help out with keeping the infection at ease.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000875.htm http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/tc/athletes-foot-treatment-overview http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/athletes-foot/basics/symptoms/con-20014892
http://www.faqs.org/sports-science/A-Ba-and-timeline/Athlete-s-Foot-Tinea-Pedis.html