Athlete's Foot

Every year, millions of people get athlete’s foot (tinea pedis), an infection of the outer layer of skin caused by fungus. As a result, some experience burning cracks in the skin between and under toes or a dryness and thickening of the skin on the bottom or sides of feet and heels. Left untreated, athlete’s foot can infect the toenails, making them discolored and brittle -- a problem that can persist and only be treated with prescription medication.

While most Americans think of athlete’s foot as a “man’s problem,” a recent study conducted by Novartis Consumer Health indicates that 26% of American women experience the telltale symptoms. Of those surveyed, 85% said they consider it a problem; however 76% treat it with moisturizers alone, and only 7% said they might need to use an athlete’s foot remedy.

Everyone gets athlete’s foot in the same way -- by direct contact with infected skin or objects such as towels, floors or showers that have been exposed to the fungus. Many women think of athlete’s foot as a condition that only affects men or only look for symptoms between their toes, and as a result, they often fail to correctly identify the condition.

Moisturizing may bring temporary relief, but it can not cure the underlying cause of the infection. Left untreated, athlete’s foot symptoms might become more severe. The problem doesn’t usually go away with time.

Is it Dry Skin or Could it be Athlete’s Foot?

It is important to note that with the type of athlete’s foot on the bottom and sides of feet, sufferers experience persistent dryness and thickening of the skin, often without the itching or inflammation associated with common athlete’s foot.

There is no self-test to determine whether what you’re suffering from is athlete’s foot or simply dry skin; however, many who suffer from the type of athlete’s foot on the bottom and sides of feet report the following:

· Diligent use of pumice stones and professional pedicures provide only temporary relief to and improvement of affected areas

· Moisturizing the feet even several times a day provides only temporary relief

· Rough, dry, cracked skin is especially noticeable on the soles and sides of the feet, making it embarrassing to wear open shoes

Treating Athlete’s Foot

The condition will not usually go away by itself.  Treating the affected skin with Lamisil® AT™ Cream, a clinically tested and approved anti-fungal foot cream is recommended when the condition is persistent and other remedies don’t seem to do the job.

Lamisil® AT™ Cream, available without a prescription, cures athlete’s foot on the bottom and sides of the feet with just two weeks of treatment. Improvement should be seen 2-4 weeks after the treatment regimen is completed, as the body naturally sloughs off the old skin and replaces it with new, healthy fungus-free skin.

Preventing Athlete’s Foot

While there is no way to completely protect yourself from getting athlete’s foot, you can take the following steps to help prevent it: