Athlete’s foot is a very common foot condition that many individuals deal with on an everyday basis. It can be characterized as a fungus that grows on your feet and can start flaking, redness, itching, and peeling of the skin on your foot. If you do not take proper action to resolve your athlete’s foot, it can result in pain and bleeding of the affected area on your foot. We here at the Foot and Ankle Specialists of Illinois are here to clear up any misconceptions on the common foot issue including the following:
Everyone is vulnerable: Believe it or not, anyone can get athlete’s foot. Although athletes tend to have a higher chance of receiving this condition, anyone who is not cautious enough may end up with this issue. The bacteria in this fungus is attracted to lots of moisture and generally can be found in sweaty socks and shower areas.
Jock Itch Vs. Athlete’s Foot: Many confuse the two conditions, jock itch and athlete’s foot, as different. However, the origin of these two foot conditions are from the same fungus and treatments are generally the same. The only distinct difference is the location of the area that may be affected from jock itch is different from athlete’s foot.
Hygiene: Many individuals stick to the untrue fact that athlete’s foot occurs from poor hygiene. However, if a person is bathing in an unsanitary environment, this may be the reason why they got this foot condition. It is important to follow all the guidelines your physician provides you, such as ensuring your bathroom is clean and using the anti-fungal cream they grant you.
For more information or questions on understanding the misconceptions of athlete’s foot, contact the Foot and Ankle Specialists of Illinois today.
