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Diseases

Athlete’s foot and fungal nail are common and contagious dermatophytic fungal infections of the skin and/or nail. Dermatophytes use keratin as a nutrient source and do generally not invade living tissue. They affect the stratum corneum. Spores of the fungi spread rapidly and are difficult to kill. Fungi grow best in a moist, dark environment and on skin with reduced resistance.  A fungal infection does not resolve on its own; it needs treatment to be cured. A fungal nail often develops from athlete’s foot. If athlete’s foot is not treated in time, the fungus may spread to the nails. Fungi prefer to live in warm, humid environments. Common causes of a fungus infection are:
  • Walking bare foot in public places – for example swimming pools, public showers and the sauna
  • Problems with blood circulation – as well as tight fitting shoes and nail injury
  • Illnesses like diabetes mellitus and psoriasis
  • Poor hygiene
  • Swimming and showering makes the skin moist and therefore more prone to infection.
  • Sweaty feet, bad ventilated shoes and socks promote mold growth
  • Not drying the feet properly
  • Via family members suffering from athlete’s foot/fungal nail
  • Age – the risk increases with age

Athlete’s foot

Athlete’s foot can occur in multiple places on the foot but generally prefers to settle between the toes. Most common symptoms of athlete’s foot are:
  • The skin of the feet, especially between the toes, flakes
  • Chapped skin
  • Itch, pain and a burning sensation
  • The skin can sometimes feel soggy
  • Blisters might appear containing a clear liquid
  • Underneath the flakes the skin can be red and painful
  • Sometimes the nails discolor and become thick and brittle. This is also known as fungal nail.

Fungal Nail

Fungal nail is more common in toenails than fingernails, because toenails are often enclosed in dark, warm and humid areas inside of your shoes and socks. Another cause may lie in the fact that feet receive less blood flow than fingers. Therefore, it is more difficult for the immune system to detect and fight the fungus. Symptoms of a fungal nail infection are:
  • Thickening of the nail
  • Discoloration – white, yellow and/or brown
  • Brittleness – nail may break
  • Scaling
  • Deformity of the nail