Athlete’s Foot Or Eczema

Interested In Reading More About Foot Care

Both conditions can be acute . In the acute stages, the skin is often blistered, cracked, and red. The skin may ooze, and most sufferers complain of burning and itching. In the chronic forms, the skin may just remain thickened and scaly, with minimal redness and itching.

The location of the symptoms sometimes provides a few clues in determining what youre dealing with, but both doctors say they usually must do a culture to determine for certain which condition it is. Eczema usually appears elsewhere on the body, rather than just on the feet, says Kechijian. However, if you are allergic to a material in your shoes, then it could appear just on the foot. A clue to athletes foot is thick, crumbly nails. But eczema can also affect the nails.

Young says that affected skin between the toes, especially the fourth and fifth toes, usually indicates athletes foot, while cracked and red skin on top of the foot or on top of the toes indicates eczema.

It Is Athletes Foot Or Eczema

Chronic eczema and chronic athlete’s foot can both exhibit scaly, blisterd skin with little redness or itching. Note how the two conditions appear almost identical.

Chronic athlete’s foot

Eczema and athletes foot are two common skin conditions that nail technicians regularly see in the course of servicing clients. Telling the difference between athletes foot and eczema is difficult because both conditions can trigger identical symptoms. With either condition, the client may complain of symptoms ranging from thickened, scaly skin with mild redness to red, blistered, and cracked skin that may itch and burn. Even the location of the outbreak doesnt provide many dues Eczema is commonly found on the hands and feet athletes foot most commonly affects the feet, but similar fungal infections can also be found on the hands.

How do you tell the conditions apart? According to Dr. Paul Kechijiam, a New York-based dermatologist and NAILS Magazines Nail Doctor, and Dr. Edward Young Jr., a dermatologist in Sherman Oaks. Calif, you dont. Both doctors say they cant differentiate the conditions positively without examining skin scrapings under a microscope and doing a culture on the affected area.

Can Tinea Pedis Cause Dyshidrotic Eczema

• WhatsApp

In some patients, a distant fungal infection can cause palmar pompholyx as an id reaction. In one study, one third of pompholyx occurrences on the palms resolved after treatment for tinea pedis. The factors believed to be associated with dyshidrotic eczema are discussed in more detail below.

You May Like: All Natural Remedies For Eczema

What Are The Types Of Ringworm

Ringworm goes by different names based on where it shows up on your body. Ringworm infections include:

• Athletes foot: Also called tinea pedis, this fungal infection causes an itchy, burning skin rash between your toes and on the soles of your feet. Your skin may become scaly and cracked or develop blisters. Sometimes, your feet smell bad.
• Jock itch: Tinea cruris, or jock itch, causes a red, itchy rash in your groin, upper thighs or rectum. Some people get blisters.
• Scalp ringworm: Tinea capitis affects children more than adults. It causes scaly, red, itchy bald spots on the scalp. If left untreated, the bald spots can grow bigger and become permanent.

Eczema Or Athletes Foot

While eczema may have similar symptoms to the fungal foot infection, the cause is different and it requires a different treatment plan. Known medically as foot dyshidrotic eczema, eczema of the feet is an inflammatory skin condition that is not contagious, but rather a reaction commonly linked to allergies, genetics, and stress. While athletes foot does produce redness and irritation, it is a contagious infection caused by the fungus tinea cruris. Though tinea cruris is a naturally occurring foot fungus, the infection is caused by allowing the fungus to propagate in sweaty socks and shoes, or by coming into contact with a concentrated source of the fungus. Both infected individuals and objects they have come into contact with can serve as concentrated sources of athlete’s foot fungus. To learn more about what causes athlete’s foot and how to prevent it, take a look at our post How to Prevent Athlete’s Foot.In both conditions, skin is often red, scaly, blistered, and cracked. In severe cases, the skin can even ooze. Sufferers of eczema and athletes foot usually experience both burning, and itching sensations as a result of the conditions. Both athletes foot and eczema can develop into chronic conditions if they dont receive proper treatment quickly. While both conditions are fairly similar in their symptoms, the location of the affected areas can give away whether youre suffering from eczema or athletes foot.

Read Also: Dyshidrotic Eczema On Bottom Of Feet

Check Your Child For Other Symptoms

Children whove developed an infection often experience other non-skin related symptoms that you can look for. The biggest telltale sign of an infection is fever. If your child has a rapidly spreading rash and a high fever, its important to seek immediate medical care. Flu-like symptoms such as achiness, fatigue, general malaise and chills also are signs of an infection.

If your child has swollen lymph nodes or is complaining of a sore throat, its also time to contact your pediatrician. In general, even if your child isnt running a fever, a deviation from the normal symptoms of eczema may signal that something else is going on.

How To Tell Eczema And Athletes Foot Apart

Since eczema is a recurring skin condition, its necessary to know what triggers it. Eczema isnt preventable, but there are things you can do to lower your risk of triggering an outbreak.

Athletes foot isnt always preventable either, but it isnt a condition that necessarily returns. Usually, athletes foot occurs when you come into contact with surfaces that are infected by the tinea fungus.

Recommended Reading: Eczema On Private Area Female

Basic Treatments For Athletes Foot

There are a number of simple steps you can take to help treat athletes foot:

• Carefully wash your feet and between your toes every day
• Thoroughly dry your feet and in between your toes before you put on your socks and shoes
• Wear thick cotton socks to soak up sweat and change them daily
• Wear shoes made of leather or other breathable material (shoes made from materials like vinyl dont allow the feet to breathe, so they become warm and humid, which allows the fungus to grow
• Keep your shoes dry and sweat-free and
• Wear open sandals or thongs/flip-flops in shared changing rooms, swimming pools and showers, and whenever possible to allow air to circulate around the feet.

Athletes Foot Prevention Tips

Dont touch or scratch your feet. Touching your feet can spread germs to the area of cause an athletes foot infection to spread to other parts of your body. Scratching an itch on your feet can aggravate eczema or a foot fungus infection and make the condition more uncomfortable. Wash your hands after touching your feet to prevent the spread of athletes foot to other areas of your body. Wear breathable footwear made from natural materials. Leather, canvas, and other natural materials are far more breathable than synthetic materials, allowing your feet to stay dryer and to prevent fungal infections. For the same reason, it is also preferable to buy socks made of natural materials, like cotton.

Recommended Reading: What To Use For Eczema Around Eyes

How Can I Prevent Athlete’s Foot

Many people will develop athlete’s foot at least once in their lives. Some will get it more often. To help avoid it:

• Wash your feet every day.
• Dry your feet well, especially between the toes.
• Sometimes go barefoot at home especially at night.
• Avoid wearing tight or synthetic footwear that doesn’t allow your feet to “breathe.”
• Wear sandals around pool areas, public showers, and gyms to steer clear of the fungus.
• Wear socks that soak up wetness. Cotton is one material that does this.
• Change your socks every day if they get damp.
• Ask your parent to buy antifungal powder to put in your sneakers or shoes.
• Spray your shoes with a disinfectant and set them in out in the sun to help kill germs.
• Don’t share towels or footwear.
• Keep home bathroom surfaces clean especially showers and tubs.

Who Might Get Ringworm

This highly contagious fungal infection affects people of all ages. Youre more at risk for ringworm if you:

• Have a weakened immune system or an autoimmune disease like lupus.
• Participate in high-contact sports, such as wrestling .
• Use public locker rooms or public showers.
• Work closely with animals that might have ringworm.

Recommended Reading: Remedios Para Eczema En Bebes

Creams Used To Treat Athlete’s Foot And Eczema ‘could Reverse Multiple Sclerosis’

• Active ingredients in creams were found to cure multiple sclerosis
• They prompted stem cells to reverse the nerve damage caused by MS
• Cells regenerated myelin, the coating around nerve fibres that MS destroys
• Team is looking for ways the creams can be safely used as treaments

05:46 EDT, 21 April 2015 | Updated:

Common creams used to treat athlete’s foot and eczema could undo the damage of multiple sclerosis, scientists claim.

The surprise discovery could pave the way to ground-breaking new therapies for the devastating auto-immune disease ,which affects around 2.5 million worldwide.

Scientists found that the anti-fungal agent miconazole and the steroid clobetasol both restored movement to mice paralysed by a rodent version of multiple sclerosis .

In laboratory tests, they prompted inactive mouse and human stem cells to regenerate myelin, the protective insulation-like coating around nerve fibres that is destroyed by the disease.

Common creams used to treat athlete’s foot and eczema could cure multiple sclerosis, scientists claim

Dr Robert Miller, of the US team from Case Western Reserve University who carried out the study, said the results marked a significant breakthrough.

He said: ‘It was a striking reversal of disease severity in the mice.

‘The drugs that we identified are able to enhance the regenerative capacity of stem cells in the adult nervous system.

‘This truly represents a paradigm shift in how we think about restoring function to multiple sclerosis patients.’

When Should Someone Seek Medical Care For Athlete’s Foot

If you notice any redness, increased swelling, bleeding, or if your infection is not clearing up, see your health care professional. If a bacterial infection is also occurring, an antibiotic pill may be necessary. If you have fungal nail involvement, are diabetic, or have a compromised immune system, you should also see your physician for treatment.

• Body skin fungus
• Secondary bacterial infections

This type of fungus generally likes to live in the skin, hair, and nails. It does not invade deep, go into body organs, or go into the blood system.

Fungal infections of the nails are called tinea unguium or onychomycosis. Nail fungus may be very difficult to treat. Antifungal pills may be required in cases of more advanced toenail fungal infections.

People with diabetes, HIV/AIDS, cancer, or other immune problems may be more prone to all kinds of infections, including fungus. In patients with diabetes, fungal infections may lead to potentially dangerous foot ulcerations.

When the skin is injured or damaged, the natural protective skin barrier is broken. Bacteria and yeasts can then invade the broken skin. Bacteria can cause a bad smell. Bacterial infection of the skin and resulting inflammation is known as cellulitis. This is especially likely to occur in individuals with diabetes, chronic leg swelling, who have had veins removed , or in the elderly. Bacterial skin infections also occur more frequently in patients with impaired immune systems.

Read Also: Eucerin Eczema Relief Cream Ingredients

Why Is Foot Eczema

Eczema is one of the most common skin conditions. When it occurs on the feet, it can be itchy, irritating, and painful. It can become so severe that for some people, it becomes difficult to walk.

Eczema on the feet is known as Dyshidrotic eczema . It shows up as blisters on the feet and hands. But other symptoms can make it clear that you have this condition.

Some of the most common symptoms of foot eczema include:

• Redness
• Swelling
• Peeling

Eczema can appear in different stages if it goes untreated. In the beginning, it will show itself as small red blisters. These blisters can be fluid-filled, but may not be as painful as they are in later stages. The blisters may eventually burst open and ooze liquid or pus.

The oozing of this liquid can cause the blisters to crust over. That is when the condition can become extremely painful. Because eczema can sometimes look like other skin conditions, its best to get an official diagnosis from a dermatologist.

Treatment Of Foot Eczema

In order to properly treat your foot eczema, its important to visit your doctor. Athletes foot and foot eczema are entirely separate conditions that require different treatment.

If you have been diagnosed with foot eczema and steroid or prescription creams are not working for you, using both natural eczema treatments and eczema socks can help provide necessary relief.

Socks

For foot eczema to heal properly, it needs to be kept properly aired out, so that it is free from sweat. These Hypoallergenic Socks are the perfect eczema socks, as theyre made of 100% organic cotton and are latex-free and elastic free, so completely comfortable and non-irritating. We also love these new adult socks for foot eczema from Remedywear! Why are they great? The fabric is composed of TENCEL and zinc for double the relief and comfort. They come in kids sizes too.

Dry or Wet Wrap Therapy

Both socks can also be used for wet wrap therapy, which will keep skin hydrated and allow eczema to heal quicker. This type of treatment works by wearing one damp pair of eczema socks covered with a dry pair AND a natural cream or balm such as the Organic Manuka Skin Soothing Cream or Emily Skin Soothers Super Dry Soother to heal eczema quickly and painlessly. Dry wrapping is much easier and less messy and we like to recommend it as a first line of defense. Learn all about dry wrapping.

Do you have foot eczema? Let us know how you treat it in the comments below!

Laura Dolgy

TAGS:

You May Like: Types Of Eczema On Arms

What Is Athlete’s Foot

Athlete’s foottechnically known as tinea pedisis an infection of the skin and feet, which can be caused by a variety of different fungi, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .

Though the infection can technically affect any part of the foot, it most commonly shows up in between the toes, on the sides of the foot, or on the bottom of the foot, Rajani Katta, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Houston, Texas, tells Health.

There’s a good reason why it’s called athlete’s foot, too: “The fungus that causes athlete’s foot likes to grow in warm, moist places, so it’s often associated with athletes, who sometimes develop it when their feet stay in damp, sweaty socks,” says Dr. Katta. “You can also pick u p the fungal organisms from walking barefoot in , which is another reason why it’s been associated with athletes, though it’s important to note that anyone can get it.”

RELATED: 8 Gross Infections You Can Catch at the Gymand How to Avoid Them

What Kind Of Doctor Treats Athlete’s Foot

Dermatologists specialize in the treatment of skin disorders, including athlete’s foot. You may find a board-certified dermatologist through . Additionally, family medicine physicians, internal medicine physicians, pediatricians, podiatrists , and other practitioners may also treat this common infection. Most primary care physicians can treat athlete’s feet successfully.

Don’t Miss: Psoriasis And Eczema Treatment Center

What Is Athlete’s Foot What Are Causes And Risk Factors Of Athlete’s Foot

Athlete’s foot is a term given to almost any inflammatory skin disease that affects the sole of the foot and the skin between the toes. It is usually scaly and maybe a red, raw-appearing eruption with weeping and oozing with small blisters. It affects the feet of athletes and non-athletes alike. Although it is frequently caused by a fungal infection, other causes may be indistinguishable without proper testing.

The medical name for fungal athlete’s foot is tinea pedis. There are a variety of fungi that cause athlete’s foot, and these can be contracted in many locations, including gyms, locker rooms, swimming pools, communal showers, nail salons, and contaminated socks and clothing. The fungi can also be spread directly from person to person by contact. Most people acquire fungus on the feet from walking barefoot in areas where someone else with an athlete’s foot has recently walked. Some people are simply more prone to this condition while others seem relatively resistant to it. Another colorful name for this condition is “jungle rot,” often used by members of the armed services serving in tropical climates.

Fungal infections are promoted by warmth and moisture. There is some speculation that before enclosed shoes became common, tinea pedis was less prevalent. Up to 70% of the population may develop athlete’s foot at some time. An infection by athlete’s foot fungi does not confer any resistance to subsequent infections.

What Is Athletes Foot

Athletes foot usually affects the top of the feet or between the toes. It often affects people who have sweaty feet, but its passed on due to contact with tinea fungus-affected surfaces.

The primary symptom of athletes foot is a scaly rash. This rash causes itchiness and soreness between the toes. The scaling and dryness of the foot can sometimes be confused with foot eczema, but it is caused by a fungus. There is a known cause of athletes foot, while there isnt for eczema.

The scaly rash of athletes foot can spread to other toes and feet. Any fungal infection that isnt treated correctly can quickly multiply. It is also contagious.

If you have a rash on your feet or toes, and it is very itchy, you likely have athletes foot. An obvious symptom of athletes foot is if the itching intensifies right after you take off your shoes or socks.

Read Also: How To Lighten Eczema Scars