What is a fungal infection in the foot?

Anette Thompson, one of our expert podiatrists, sent through these helpful tips for how to deal with a fungal infection in the foot.

What is a fungal infection?

Fungal infections in the foot are also called ‘athlete’s foot’, although not only athletes can suffer from them. The infection can be just in the nails or in the skin or spread to both skin and nails. Fungal spores thrive in warm, moist environments like shoes or boots that do not allow the foot to breathe.

What does a fungal infection look like?

You will have dry skin, itching, scaly skin circles or blisters that break open, sometimes redness. Fungal infections of the toenail cause a change in colour of the toenail with streaks of brown or green or purple or yellow. These break down the nail surface, making it crumble and also thicken.

What makes it worse?

Damp, soggy skin encourages fungal growth, which also invades dark, damp corners of your shoes. You must wipe out the inside of your shoes with bleach (like  Domestos or Jik) or Fungisolve solution to kill the fungus . Be aware that tight fitting shoes can also cause excessive sweating.

Prevention

Avoid plastic shoes and wear socks when wearing safety boots. Try to prevent a fungal infection by practising good foot hygiene. Wash your feet regularly with ordinary soap and dry them very, very well, especially between the toes. Reduce sweating by using baby powder between toes or anti-perspirant spray between toes. Wear light, breathable shoes if possible. Any foot file or stone or nail scissors that you use must also be disinfected in bleach and water.  Dettol and Savlon do not kill fungus.

Treatment of fungal infection

If you already have a fungal infection in the skin of your feet, you will need to very lightly rub any hard skin with a stone or foot file, and then apply an antifungal ointment from the chemist. If your toenails are infected, you will need to consult a podiatrist. They will thin the nails down with special instruments so that you can apply prescription medication such as Loceryl 5%.

These foot facts are brought to you by Anette Thompson and Vuyisile Nkalane, podiatrists at A T A Podiatrists Durban. 031-201 9907