Causes of Athlete’s Foot

Aug 24, 2022 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Liu Wan

Introduction

Those with athlete’s foot should pay attention to how they store their shoes. If someone in the household has athlete’s foot, shoes contaminated with fungi placed inside a dark, poorly ventilated shoe cabinet create ideal conditions for rapid fungal proliferation. Moreover, skin flakes (squames) scattered inside the shoe cabinet also harbor large numbers of fungi. Even initially clean shoes stored in such an environment may become contaminated—either by fungal-laden skin flakes or by adjacent “dirty” shoes.

　　Athlete’s foot, commonly known as “rotten feet,” is a fungal skin infection with a relatively high clinical incidence. Many individuals develop athlete’s foot unknowingly, which can adversely affect their daily life and work. To treat it more effectively, it is essential to understand its underlying causes. So, what are the causes of athlete’s foot?

　　Causes of Athlete’s Foot

　　Proper shoe storage is crucial for individuals with athlete’s foot. If someone in the household has athlete’s foot, shoes contaminated with fungi placed in a dark, poorly ventilated shoe cabinet create an ideal environment for rapid fungal proliferation. Moreover, shed skin flakes (squames) scattered inside the shoe cabinet also harbor large quantities of fungi. Even initially clean shoes stored in such an environment may become contaminated—either by contact with these fungal-laden skin flakes or by adjacent “dirty” shoes—thereby increasing the risk of fungal infection. Wearing such contaminated footwear may lead to athlete’s foot.

　　Medically, athlete’s foot is typically classified into three types: intertriginous (macerative), vesicular, and hyperkeratotic. The intertriginous type commonly occurs between the third and fourth toes, and between the fourth and fifth toes. Initially, the affected skin appears moist, whitish, or macerated, sometimes with small blisters. The vesicular type usually affects the lateral margins of the feet. It begins with thick-walled, small vesicles; some may coalesce into larger blisters. Intense pruritus is common, and scratching often leads to secondary bacterial infections such as erysipelas or lymphangitis. The hyperkeratotic type predominantly affects the heels.

　　Patients are advised to wear well-ventilated footwear, wash their feet regularly, soak their feet frequently in medicated herbal solutions, and consume ample vegetables and fruits. We hope this information proves helpful to you.

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Can people with athlete’s foot eat honeydew melon?

If you develop beriberi (vitamin B1 deficiency), you may consume some Hami melon. Hami melon is a common food rich in sugars, trace elements, and various vitamins, which may help improve beriberi. However, you should not eat large quantities of Hami melon frequently, as this may impair spleen and stomach function—particularly because Hami melon contains substantial amounts of sugar. Excessive consumption of Hami melon is likely to elevate blood glucose levels.

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Causes of Athlete’s Foot

Athlete’s foot is caused by fungi that infect the skin of the feet. After invading the foot skin, these fungi multiply within the skin and damage the stratum corneum (the outermost layer of the skin). During an outbreak of athlete’s foot, the skin on the feet thickens and produces excess keratin and scale-like flakes. The fungi rapidly proliferate by feeding on the proteins present in this keratin. Because the fungal infection penetrates deep into the skin, the surface scales act as a barrier, preventing antifungal medications from penetrating into the infected tissue.

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What type of fungus causes athlete’s foot?

Athlete’s foot, also known as tinea pedis, is a superficial fungal skin infection primarily caused by dermatophytes invading the skin of the feet—including the toes, heels, lateral margins of the feet, and the soles. The most common causative fungi are *Trichophyton rubrum*, *Trichophyton mentagrophytes*, and *Microsporum gypseum*. Infection typically occurs through direct contact or by scratching the affected area with the hands.

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How to Treat Athlete’s Foot

Foot fungus (tinea pedis) can be alleviated and treated through foot soaking. Prepare a foot soak using pepper-infused vinegar: open seven vinegar sachets and pour the contents into a basin. Add one spoonful of ground black pepper, then gently heat the mixture over low heat. Once the temperature has cooled slightly, immerse your feet and soak for 30 minutes. After soaking, pat your feet dry thoroughly. This treatment may be repeated daily for several consecutive days. Note that the pepper-vinegar solution in the basin remains effective for multiple uses over several days.