Athlete's+Foot

__**Athlete's Foot**__ Jayson Chu 9.4

Athlete's Foot is a infection on the feet that costs by ringworm, and ringworm is the term name to all the fungal infection to the skin. The medical term for Athlete's foot is Tinea Pedis. The Athlete's Foot may last for short or long time and it may also comeback after the treatment. Athlete's foot occurs to your skin when a certain type of fungus grow on your skin of the foot. It may also grow on your toes, heels, palms and between your fingers.
 * What causes Athlete's foot?**

The fungus like to grow in warm and moist area. So the risk for getting athlete's foot increases if you:
 * Keep your feet in a wet and condition for a period of time ( e.g. Wearing a wet shoes or socks.)

The Athlete's foot can be passes to other people with direct, it can also be passed by shoes, un-washed clothing or pool surface.


 * Symptoms**
 * 1) Cracked, peeling skin on side of foot or between toes
 * 2) Stinging pain
 * 3) Red and itchy
 * 4) If nails are infected, they will lost their color and become thicker or maybe even crumble.[[image:006b.jpg height="184" align="right"]]

Use anti fungal powders or cream can help control the infection. The powders or cream contain //miconazole, clotrimazole or tolnaftate.// Using the medicine for 1-2 weeks can clear the infection. Athlete Foot need well self-care to recover, but it might come back. If your feet does not get better in 2-4 weeks with your self-care, or comeback frequently, you will need to see your doctor immediately. If your hair are also infected, you will need anti fungal pills will be necessary.
 * Treatment**
 * Keep your feet clean and stay in a dry condition, especially between your toes.
 * Wear clean clothing, socks and shoes
 * Wash your bed sheet and night clothing everyday during infection

To prevent getting athlete's foot:
 * Prevention**
 * Dry your feet after showering or swimming
 * Wear sandals or flip-flops at public pool

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001878/ 1.Habif TP, ed. // Clinical Dermatology //. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2009. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002411/
 * References**