Worried about skin fissures, particularly on your feet? Tinea Pedis is a fungal infection that may cause this. It can be uncomfortable and painful! In this blog, we’ll talk about what Tinea Pedis is and how it affects you. Let’s get started!
Introduction
Tinea pedis, or athlete’s foot, is a contagious fungal infection of the skin usually found between the toes. This can cause many symptoms that may last for months, making you prone to recurrent outbursts.
Fissures are deep, narrow cracks in the skin. Though athlete’s foot doesn’t usually cause skin fissures, conditions related to it, such as extremely wet feet or inflamed extremities, may lead to these painful cracks.
Knowing more about tinea pedis will help prevent fissures and also lessen other signs like itching, burning, stinging and blistering.
What is Tinea Pedis?
Tinea pedis, otherwise known as athlete’s foot, is a fungal infection that affects the skin in between the toes. It is caused by dermatophytes, and is highly contagious.
Symptoms include:
- Redness
- Scaling
- Itching/burning
- White patches
- Pain when touched
- Peeling/fissuring skin
To diagnose, debris is taken from nails and skin and examined under a microscope. Skin scrapings are also taken to test for fungus.
Prevention methods include keeping feet clean/dry, and changing socks regularly. Treatment options are antifungal meds applied directly, or oral meds taken regularly for severe infections.
If left untreated, tinea pedis can lead to inflammation and cracking (fissures) of affected areas. This can be painful, especially in humid conditions. Bacteria can accumulate in cracks, making them prone to reinfection by fungi.
To avoid this, it is important to consult a healthcare provider at the first sign of infection, even minor ones. This is so underlying conditions can be treated before the infection worsens due to persistent reinfection.
Causes of Tinea Pedis
Tinea pedis, aka athlete’s foot, is a fungal infection of the feet. It is caused by dermatophytes – a type of fungus.
It is usually found between the toes and on the soles. Symptoms include itching, dryness, and scaling. Skin between toes may crack or break.
This infection is widespread, and very contagious. It is easily spread in places with dampness or close contact – locker rooms, swimming pools, public showers or gyms. Person-to-person contact at home or work can also cause it. People with weak immune systems are more likely to get tinea pedis.
Symptoms of Tinea Pedis
Tinea pedis, otherwise known as “athlete’s foot“, is a fungal infection between the toes. Symptoms can include:
- itching and burning
- scaling and flaking skin
- red or pink patches
- white or cracked patches with fluid or a bad smell.
In severe cases, it can lead to painful deep skin fissures.
To prevent or reduce symptoms, it is important to take proper hygiene measures.
- Wear breathable socks that you change frequently.
- Try to avoid tight shoes.
- Don’t walk barefoot in public places such as changing rooms, swimming pools and locker rooms.
- Wash your feet with soap and warm water and dry them properly before putting socks on.
If you have diabetes, it’s better to consult a doctor if you think you may have a fungal infection like athlete’s foot.
Diagnosis of Tinea Pedis
Tinea pedis is usually identified by checking the skin and analyzing its appearance. Your doctor might take some skin cells using a scraping tool. These cells can be looked at under a microscope or tested in a lab for signs of infection. Your doctor may also take skin samples to observe them under a microscope or culture them.
If your doctor thinks that the symptoms are severe, spreading or present on other parts of the body, they may suggest further tests. These tests may include tests for diabetes and peripheral vascular disease. These tests will see if there are any circulation problems that can cause fissures in the skin due to tinea pedis (diabetic ulcers).
If your doctor suspects that tinea pedis is causing an underlying medical condition such as an autoimmune disorder, they may order blood tests. These tests will measure levels of several markers in the bloodstream associated with these diseases.
Treatment of Tinea Pedis
Treatment for tinea pedis depends on its severity and symptoms. Mild cases can usually be managed with topical antifungal medications. These come in solution, cream, or lotion form and contain terbinafine, miconazole, or clotrimazole. Applying topical treatments as directed for several weeks is important to treat it. Keeping feet clean and dry can prevent reinfection after the infection has cleared.
Severe or recurring cases of tinea pedis may need an oral antifungal medication. These include fluconozole, terbinafine, or griseofulvin. These have to be taken daily for several weeks to clear the infection. Treating any secondary bacterial skin infections with antibiotics while taking oral antifungals helps long term relief from symptoms. After successful treatment with either oral or topical medications, skin fissures due to tinea pedis may not resolve right away but should improve in time.
Does Tinea Pedis Lead to Skin Fissures?
Tinea pedis, known as athlete’s foot, is a skin fungal infection of the feet. It can cause dry, itchy rashes with scaling and cracking skin. If untreated, it can spread to other parts of the body.
In some cases, it can lead to skin fissures. These are small breaks in the skin, deeper than common cracks or splits in calluses. They may be red in color. If left untreated, they can become very painful and cause abscesses or secondary infections.
Most commonly, fissures appear between toes or on heel edges. Poor hygiene habits can make the environment moist, leading to fungal growth.
To prevent fissures, people with athlete’s foot should keep their feet clean. Consistently showering after exercise helps. Applying antifungal creams or powders can reduce itching or discomfort until full intoxication has subsided.
Prevention of Tinea Pedis
To avoid Tinea pedis, good hygiene habits are key. Bathe regularly, keep feet clean and dry, wear properly ventilated shoes and avoid contact with people who are infected. However, even if you practice good hygiene, you may still get it.
To reduce the risk:
- Don’t share items like socks, towels or equipment.
- Wear moisture-wicking socks.
- Spray shoes with disinfectant post-wear.
- Keep feet dry by changing shoes and socks often.
- Wear sandals/shower shoes in public showers.
- Make sure skin is dry before putting on shoes.
- Change shoes frequently to allow them to air out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Tinea Pedis?
A: Tinea Pedis, also known as athlete’s foot, is a common fungal infection of the skin on the feet. It is usually caused by a type of fungus called Trichophyton, which can spread by direct contact with the feet of an infected person. It can also be contracted through contact with infected surfaces, such as towels, floors, or shower areas.
Q: Does Tinea Pedis lead to skin fissures?
A: Yes, Tinea Pedis can lead to skin fissures, which are cracks in the skin. They can occur on the feet, hands, and fingertips, and are often accompanied by dryness and itching. If left untreated, skin fissures can become painful, deepen, and potentially become infected.
Q: How can I treat skin fissures caused by Tinea Pedis?
A: Treatment for skin fissures caused by Tinea Pedis typically involves topical antifungal medications. However, it is important to keep the affected areas clean and hydrated to help prevent the fissures from worsening. Additionally, you may also want to consider using a moisturizer or heel balm to help keep your skin soft and keep your cracked heels and fingertips hydrated.
