Definition:
Dermatophytosis, similarly known as athlete's foot is a common fungal infection among many people. It usually affects spaces in between your toes but it can spread to your soles, toenails and the sides of your feet.
Diagnosis:
The signs and symptoms shall be determined by the doctor first if they are caused by another skin disorder such as dermatitis. He may take fluid samples and scrapings from your foot to be viewed under a microscope to be able to identify a fungus.
Treatment:
Over-the-counter antifungal lotions, powders, ointments or spray may be prescribed by your doctor for mild conditions, where most infections respond well to topical medicines such as miconazole (Micatin), Terbinafine (Lamisil AT) and Clotrimazole (Lotrimin AF).
For severe fungal infections, oral medication may be prescribed such as fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox) and terbinafine (Lamisil).
Symptoms and Signs:
Among the symptoms of athletes foot are excessive dryness of the skin on the bottoms or sides of the feet, itchy blisters, itching, stinging and burning between your toes, especially the last two toes; cracking and peeling skin, especially between your toes and on the soles of your feet; itching, stinging and burning on the soles of your feet and nils that are thick, crumbly, ragged, discolored or pulling away from the nail bed.
Causes:
Dermatophytes is a group of mold-like fungi that causes athlete's foot. Infecting the superficial layer of the skin, these organisms sprout tendril-like extensions and the basal layer of the skin produces more skin cells than usual in response to this fungal growth. The skin becomes thick and scaly when these cells push to the surface and the more scales your skin produces upon the spreading of the fungi which will cause the ring of advancing infection to form.
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