How to treat athlete's foot (tinea pedis) for a complete cure?
Dec 21, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Wenmin
Introduction
Generally speaking, there is no such thing as a "radical cure for athlete's foot." Athlete's foot may be related to factors such as wearing non-breathable shoes and socks, damaged skin barrier, Trichophyton mentagrophytes infection, Trichophyton rubrum infection, or Candida albicans infection. Treatment or relief can be achieved through general care, medication, and other methods depending on the specific situation. It is recommended to seek timely medical attention, identify the underlying cause, and undergo treatment under a doctor's guidance.
Generally speaking, there is no such thing as a complete cure for tinea pedis (athlete's foot). Tinea pedis may be associated with factors such as wearing non-breathable shoes and socks, impaired skin barrier function, Trichophyton mentagrophytes infection, Trichophyton rubrum infection, or Candida albicans infection. Depending on the specific situation, general treatments or medication treatments can be used to manage or alleviate the condition. It is recommended to seek timely medical attention, identify the underlying cause, and undergo appropriate treatment under a doctor's guidance. Detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Wearing non-breathable shoes and socks: Long-term use of non-breathable shoes and socks, and poor hygiene habits such as neglecting foot cleanliness can cause the feet to remain in a damp and hot environment for a long time, thereby leading to tinea pedis. Wearing breathable shoes and socks today and maintaining clean, hygienic, and dry feet skin is recommended.
2. Impaired skin barrier: Damage to the skin barrier on the feet increases the risk of fungal invasion, thus causing tinea pedis. It is recommended to keep the feet clean and dry and use foot cleansers containing antifungal ingredients to wash the feet.
3. Trichophyton mentagrophytes infection: Trichophyton mentagrophytes easily proliferates in sweaty and damp environments, causing infection and resulting in redness, scaling, and itching of the skin. Patients can use medications such as miconazole nitrate cream, ciclopirox cream, or terbinafine tablets under a doctor's guidance.
4. Trichophyton rubrum infection: Trichophyton rubrum proliferates on the skin of the feet, triggering an inflammatory response that causes thickening, peeling, and itching of the skin. Patients can use medications such as bifonazole solution, ketoconazole cream, or fluconazole capsules under a doctor's guidance.
5. Candida albicans infection: A warm and moist environment on the feet can promote the proliferation of Candida albicans, causing tinea pedis and resulting in skin redness, itching, peeling, and cracking. Patients can use medications such as naftifine ketoconazole cream, terbinafine hydrochloride cream, or luliconazole cream according to medical advice.
During treatment, patients should follow medical advice to use the correct dosage and complete the full course of medication and should not reduce the dosage or stop taking the medication arbitrarily.
