Athlete's foot is a skin infection in the foot caused by a fungus. The fungus that causes Athlete foot is called Trichophyton. When the feet, or other areas of the body, stay moist, warm and irritated, this fungus can thrive and infect the upper layer of the skin. The symptoms of Athlete foot include itching and burning feet. The skin frequently peels and, in particularly severe cases, there may be some cracking, pain and bleeding as well. It is caused by moulds that grows on the surface of the skin and then into the living skin tissue itself, causing the infection. It usually occurs between the toes, but in severely lasting cases may appear as an extensive "moccasin" pattern on the bottom and sides of the foot.

It is not easy to prevent athlete's foot because it is usually contracted in dressing rooms, showers, and swimming pool locker rooms where bare feet come in contact with the fungus. However, you can do much to prevent infection by practicing good foot hygiene. Daily washing of the feet with soap and water; drying carefully, especially between the toes; and changing shoes and hose regularly to decrease moisture, help prevent the fungus from infecting the feet. Also helpful is daily use of a quality foot powder.

Prevention Tips

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 (or more frequently) if they get damp.

Ask your parent to buy antifungal powder to put in your sneakers or shoes.

Athlete's foot usually affects the spaces between your toes, but it can spread to your toenails and the soles and sides of your feet. Often, athlete's foot responds well to over-the-counter (nonprescription) treatments you can apply to your skin. More severe cases may require prescription medications. There are many conventional medications (over-the-counter and prescription) as well as alternative treatments for fungal skin infections, including athlete's foot. Important with any treatment plan is the practice of good hygiene.

Athletes foot, does not get hard skin, more red sore and can be weepy. The way to treat it, get some cream or talc from the Pharmacy, but you have to talc all your shoes, boil the sock and towels, let alone bleach the bath/shower. Hard skin sounds as if your feet are rebelling to your footwear. Try wearing open sandals, without socks. Feet do need to breathe!

Long term infection will often result in nail infection, which is much harder to knock out and requires oral therapy with Lamisil or similar product for quite some time. I think part of the problem is, people used to wear leather shoes that had leather soles, and no synthetic parts in them. They breathed alot better.