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Jun 03, 2023

Foot fungus: Types and treatments

The term foot fungus describes superficial fungal infections of the foot. These

The term foot fungus describes superficial fungal infections of the foot. These infections can affect the outer layers of the skin, hair, and nails. Two of the most common foot fungi infections are tinea pedis and onychomycosis.

Keep reading to learn more about these two fungal infections, including potential causes, risk factors, and treatments.

A fungal infection of the foot typically refers to tinea pedis, also known as athlete's foot or foot ringworm. It usually describes a skin infection of the feet or toes.If a person has a fungal infection of the nail, it is likely onychomycosis, which is also known as tinea unguium.

The fungi or other organism that cause these infections are:

Tinea pedis occurs due to dermatophyte fungi. These are fungi that require keratin for growth and can cause infections on the skin, hair, and nails. The fungi that commonly cause tinea pedis include:

Onychomycosis can occur due to the following organisms:

Both infections occur in different areas of the foot:

Tinea pedis normally starts in between the toes of the foot. It is particularly common between the 4th and 5th toe space. Some people may use the term athlete's foot to describe any inflammation between the toes.

Tinea pedis can spread to the sides of the foot and the sole. It can also spread to the heel of the foot. In some cases, tinea pedis can occur in combination with a fungal infection of the groin, hands, nails, or both.

Onychomycosis may involve one toenail or fingernail, or multiple nails. More commonly, onychomycosis affects the big toenail and the little toenail.

The risk factors of both infections may include:

While tinea pedis can occur in anyone, including children and older people, it usually occurs in males and young adults.

Other risk factors for tinea pedis include:

Risk factors for onychomycosis include:

The symptoms of both infections may include:

Tinea pedis does not have a normal distribution or pattern and can involve just one foot or both feet. It can present in one of three ways:

While uncommon, a person with tinea pedis may notice oozing in between the toes or ulcers forming.

Other symptoms that a person with tinea pedis may experience include:

Symptoms of onychomycosis can include:

The diagnosis of both infections may involve:

A doctor will examine a person's foot and will check for the characteristic signs of tinea pedis. They may also check the groin, hands, and nails to check for any sign of fungal infection in those areas.

The doctor may send skin samples for testing. A scientist will check the scrapings of skin for spores to confirm the presence of fungi.

Further tests may be necessary to confirm a diagnosis. If this is the case, the doctor may send a sample for a fungal culture test

Similarly to tinea pedis, a doctor will examine the affected nail or nails and look for characteristic signs of onychomycosis.

A doctor may also require nail clippings or scrapings to test for onychomycosis. Tests may involve a fungal culture test.

Tips to prevent these infections include:

The American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD) recommend the following to prevent tinea pedis or athlete's foot:

The AAD recommends the following preventative measures:

Treatment options for both infections may include:

Measures to treat tinea pedis include wearing more appropriate footwear and ensuring regular washing and drying of the feet.

A doctor may prescribe topical antifungal medication, such as miconazole cream, to treat the tinea pedis more effectively. A person can apply these creams directly to the affected skin once or twice a day. Typically, it takes 2–4 weeks for the cream to work, but it may work more quickly if the infection is mild.

If topical therapy does not work, a doctor may prescribe oral antifungal medication, such as terbinafine or fluconazole. The treatment length and dose will depend on the severity of the infection.

At-home remedies for onychomycosis include washing the skin around the nail regularly and keeping the feet clean and dry.

An older study found that treating onychomycosis with mentholated ointments, such as Vicks VapoRub, showed a positive effect in 83% of participants. Some people also think that tea tree oil helps treat nail fungus. However, research is limited.

Topical antifungal creams for mild infections include amorolfine and ciclopirox. The number of times a person will need to apply the treatment will depend on the medication.

The AAD state that antifungal pills have a higher cure rate than topical creams. They also work more quickly, so a person may only need to take them for a few months.

The doctor may recommend removal of the nail if the infection is severe. A doctor can do this surgically or chemically. With both treatment options, the nail can grow back.

Recently, scientists have experimented with the use of lasers to treat onychomycosis. Although specialists indicate that the procedure is safe, it can cause some pain and bleeding.

A person should see a doctor if they notice any changes to the skin or nails of the feet, including:

A person should also seek medical advice if they have tried at-home remedies and the condition persists.

Fungal infections such as tinea pedis and onychomycosis are widespread. Hot and humid environments and restrictive footwear encourage fungal infections.

A person should follow the recommended preventive measures to reduce the risk of infection.

If a person notices changes to the skin or nails of the feet, they should seek the advice of a medical professional to ensure early antifungal treatment.