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Athlete's foot
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Abnormal |
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- A common fungal infection that affects the spaces between toes (Interdigital spaces) and the sole of the foot.
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- White Scaly Skin causes an
itching on the bottom of the foot and in between the toes. The skin will eventually soften, causing the whitish borders to peel off easily. The center of the lesion may be irritated, red, and in some cases, a watery discharge can be seen.
- Other types of Tinea Pedis may be the moccasin variety (white, thick, dense and scaly sole), which consists of large areas of cracked skin, inflammation, fluid field vesicles or bullae.
- White/pink Scaly Skin in the affected areas, with no itching whatsoever.
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- Dermatophytes (e.g., trichophyton, epidermophyton) and fungi (mold like organisms).
- Normally live in the dead layers of skin, nails, and hair follicles. It is transmitted through minor cuts on the skin. If conditions are just right, Tinea Pedis will grow and cause symptoms.
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- Made upon a clinical examination
- A scraping of the skin in the affected area can be put on a glass slide and stained with Potassium
hydroxide. When viewed under a microscope, this will show the branched structure of the fungus.
- If needed, the scraping can be sent out to laboratory for culturing and identifying the exact type of the fungus.
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- Humid and warm environments -- socks, locker room showers, and floors of swimming pools.
- Hot weather
- Athletic activities
- Tight fitting shoes (e.g., ballet shoes)
- Immunosuppressed such as those with AIDS on long-term steroids or cancer treatments
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- Make sure to dry your feet after showering
- Wear shower or pool shoes in public places
- Wear shoes that allow for good ventilation
- Avoid wearing shoes for long periods of time
- Wear socks that keep the feet dry
- Antifungal creams (e.g., Clotrimazole) are applied twice daily, while cortisone is added if there is inflammation or severe itching (e.g., Lotrisone) for 2-4 weeks.
- For severe cases, oral medications such as sporanox, griseofluvin, and Diflucan may be prescribed.
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