Foot fungus leads to a very common skin problem, athlete’s foot. The causative organism that leads to this fungal infection is known as Trichophyton. This fungus thrives in areas that are mostly damp and warm. It can easily infect the feet when it is regularly exposed to these conditions and when it is irritated. It grows and affects the skin’s upper layer and can affect any part of the body including the extremities, trunk, scalp, feet, nails, hands and other body areas.

Foot fungal infection is due to the ringworm fungus or tinea in medical parlance. Thus, it is also called tinea pedis at times. This ringworm fungus is naturally occurring in many spots including locker rooms, gym floors, nail salons, and in our clothing and socks. However, this fungus may not be able to grow and proliferate with the ideal condition of a damp and warm environment. It is estimated that about 70% of the population are affected by this fungal infection.

The typical symptoms of this foot fungus are the varying degrees of burning and itching in the affected areas of the foot. There will also be skin peeling and in most severe cases, the person will observe cracking and bleeding which are normally accompanied by pain. In the other extreme, some individuals may not even know they have this fungal problem as the typical symptoms are not present.

An infected foot will have the appearance of dry skin, red and peeling on one sole or the soles of both feet. In some cases the skin flaking will extend to the top and sides of the feet although the more common condition is that it is localized in the sole area.

There are two critical areas of modalities as far as management and control of foot fungus is concerned. The first concern is how to make the infection-prone area less susceptible to the fungus. This basically means that it is extremely essential that the susceptible parts of your feet are kept dry and clean.

The second aspect of the management and treatment of the foot fungus is the use of appropriate anti-fungal applications. There are several anti-fungal washes and creams that are available in the market today. However, it is highly recommended that you seek the advice of the pharmacist or health-care specialist for the most appropriate medication.