When to see a doctor: knowing when Athlete's foot cream isn’t enough

Athlete's foot

When it comes to fungal diseases that affect the skin on the foot, athlete’s foot infection is among the common skin infections that top the list; it is also known as Tinea pedis. To cure the problem, a variety of therapies, including athlete’s foot creams, are available on the market. When an issue is first identified or in its early stages, when symptoms are not as severe, many opt to use topical creams. This mistake takes people to the hospital since the issue worsens when proper care is not received and the athlete’s foot cream also does not benefit. 

Therefore, it is important to understand when to seek professional treatment and when to rely on creams to take adequate care of any difficulties. This article will discuss how athlete foot disease is caused by, its symptoms, and indications when to visit a doctor when an athlete’s foot disease has gotten out of control. It will also discuss treatment for athlete’s foot disease.

Symptoms

Athlete’s feet are commonly seen as having cracked, scaly skin between the toes. Particularly when you take off your shoes or socks, your feet start itching. In the area of redness and itching, you can experience burning or stinging. The skin becomes irritated and takes on a grey or reddish-purple appearance. However, the color of your skin determines this. Blisters may also appear on your foot as the issue worsens. On the bottom of the foot, the skin gets scaly and dry which keeps extending. These were the typical signs to look out for. If you experience redness and itching, you should apply athlete’s foot creams or another type of antifungal cream.

Causes 

Various factors cause athlete foot disease, let’s explore them. Fungal infections, known as dermatophytes, are the main cause of athlete’s foot. An athlete’s foot can develop for several reasons. Firstly, it can occur as a result of poor hygiene, as not washing feet might encourage the growth of fungi. The chance of being exposed to the fungus is therefore increased when you walk barefoot in the communal areas. Additionally, those with a weak immune system are more vulnerable. Another perfect environment for the development of a fungal infection that leads to an athlete’s feet is wearing closed shoes for longer periods.

Treatment for athlete's foot

Applying antifungal creams containing terbinafine, clotrimazole, miconazole, or tolnaftate is one of the cures for athlete’s foot. The way these active substances function is by preventing the fungi causing the infection from growing. The affected areas should receive the cream applications as instructed, which is typically twice a day. In addition, soaking feet with towels to keep your feet dry and prevent problems from happening again, one must also take careful care of the feet. Individuals who sweat a lot should take extra precautions because they are more susceptible to the issue.

When to seek a dermatologist?

athlete's foot

See the top dermatologist in Bangalore or someone close if you notice rashes on your foot that itch and appear red and if the condition doesn’t improve even after applying an antifungal cream or other self-treatment. Here is a list of reasons you should know; if any of them relate to you, stop using the cream and visit a dermatologist right away if…

  • If the illness affects other body areas or extends beyond the feet
  •  If you get fever, pus, eczema, or redness 
  • If you experience the symptoms of an athlete’s foot and you have diabetes or other chronic medical conditions
  • If, despite receiving the recommended treatment, you experience recurrences often

Conclusion

So what’s better for an athlete’s foot disease? Cream or treatment? Well, an athlete’s foot is treatable with over-the-counter antifungal medications. Well, it depends on your overall health and foot’s condition but it is suggested to seek treatment to avoid further consequences and get advice from a professional. So one must keep an eye on symptoms and get medical help if the infection worsens, doesn’t go away, or appears to be related to other worrisome symptoms. Timely medical intervention can mitigate the risk of complications, guarantee efficacious treatment, and attend to any underlying medical conditions that may be exacerbating the infection. For both treatment and prevention, keeping your feet dry and clean is crucial to keeping your feet healthy and clear of fungal infections.