Don’t Let Athlete’s Foot Get You Down! Ask a Harrisburg Foot Doctor
No Need to Fret… Athlete’s Foot Can Be Treated!
What is Athlete’s Foot?
The condition is a fungal infection, and the scientific name of athlete’s foot is tinea pedis. Athlete’s foot, which can actually be experienced on the toenails and hands as well, can occur when the tinea fungus starts growing on your body. This fungus might be found in warm and humid areas like public showers, in locker rooms, and around pools.
Symptoms of athlete’s foot include itching, stinging, and burning on your feet. You could also have raw or dry skin, discolored and thick toenails, and itchy blisters.
How do you Know if You Really Have Athlete’s Foot?
You can reach out to our foot doctor in Harrisburg if you’d like to have a thorough examination. In some situations, the doctor will only have to do a visual examination and can immediately proceed with athlete’s foot treatment. In other cases, the doctor might have to do a skin test. Dr. Whitman will scrape off a thin section of affected skin, put it in potassium hydroxide, and see if fungal cells are evident.
Since athlete’s foot can worsen, it’s a good idea to get it checked out right away if you have a concern.
Move Past Athlete’s Foot
Treating athlete’s foot is fairly straightforward. You might be able to use an over-the-counter topical cream or ointment that is anti-fungal. Soaking feet in a salt water solution could address lingering blisters. If your doctor thinks you might be better off going a different route, your athlete’s foot treatment might involve prescription topical or oral medicine.
Your doctor can also suggest ways in which you can stay away from athlete’s foot in the future. Wearing shower shoes to public gyms and pools, drying your feet completely after a shower, and bandaging any small cuts on your feet are ways you can be proactive about staying healthy.
If you’re looking for methods for treating athlete’s foot, you can speak with our foot doctor in Harrisburg. Give our office a call to set up your appointment.