A Case of Athlete’s Foot
An elderly gentleman presented to our clinic today complaining of itching, burning and drainage between the toes. Patient states his right and left foot have had this appearance for approximately 1 week duration.
The patient stated he had a long history of athlete’s foot, but has never had it this bad. Patient had applying over-the-counter antifungal and hydrocortisone creams in between the toes. Patient stated that his feet actually looked “pretty good” as compared to the past few days.
The patient was ultimately placed on the following medications:
1. Prednisone orally – a steroid to calm down the inflammation of the area
2. Gris-Peg – an oral antifungal taken 3 times per day
3. Augmentin – an antibiotic to fight any secondary bacterial infection
4. Naftin Gel – a topical antifungal to placed between the toes followed by separation of the toes with cotton balls.
5. Betadine – iodine based products to dry out between the toes
Patient was advised to let his feet air dry for 3-4 hours day and use an oscillating fan to “air out” the feet.
Patient is to return in a week for follow-up. More pictures will be posted as this patient continues to improve. Stay posted.
If you have athlete’s foot, please come see the doctors at Advanced Foot & Center for treatment.
~Dr. Williams
The address to our facility is as follows:
McKinney Office Location
4501 Medical Center Drive: Suite 300
McKinney, TX 75069
To schedule an apppointment, please call : 972-542-2155
Prosper Office Location
140 N. Preston Road: Suite 30
Prosper, TX 75078
To schedule an appointment, please call: 972-542-2155
Crazy Shoes: Are These For Real?
I thought you guys might get a laugh when looking at these absurd shoes.
Enjoy! Have a great day!
P.S. – These are not recommended to wear.
~Dr. Williams
Athlete’s Foot
Athlete’s foot is caused by a fungal infection of the skin on the foot. The majority of these infections are caused by one of three fungal agents called dermatophytes. Athlete’s foot is by far the most common fungal infection of the skin. The infection can be either acute or chronic. The recurrent form of the disease is often associated with fungal-infected toenails. The acute form of the infection most often presents with moist, scaling between the toes with occasional small blisters and/or fissures. As the blistering breaks, the infection spreads and can involve large areas of the skin on the foot. The burning and itching that accompany the blisters may cause great discomfort that can be relieved by opening and draining the blisters or applying cool water compresses. The infection can also occur as isolated circular lesions on the bottom or top of the foot. As the skin breaks down from the fungal infection, a secondary bacterial infection can ensue.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of tenia pedis is generally made based upon the clinical presentation. A definitive diagnosis is made by taking a scraping of the skin and culturing it. It may take up to three weeks for the culture to grow the fungus. In some instances the culture may present a false negative result because the skin scraping was inadequate. Some doctors may perform a KOH prep of a skin scraping. This is examined under a microscope and may reveal elements that can make the diagnosis.
Treatment
Treatment should be directed at controlling the fungal infection and treating any secondary bacterial infection with oral antibiotics. Soaking the feet in Epsom salts and warm water is helpful. Wearing sandals to reduce moisture accumulation and heat generated by closed shoes will also help in the control and spread of the infection. Other conditions that mimic acute athlete’s foot are contact dermatitis and pustular psoriasis.
The chronic form of athletes foot is a relatively noninflamatory type of infection. It is characterized by a dull redness to the skin and pronounced scaling. It may involve the entire bottom of the foot giving a “moccasin” appearance. It generally does not itch or result in the formation of blisters. This form of the disease frequently has an associated fungal infection of the toenails. There are good topical and oral medications available for the treatment of this condition. There are some less common causes of dry scaling skin on the feet.
Please come see Dr. Williams and Dr. Silvers for treatment of your skin infection.
Skin Disorders
Athlete’s foot (tinea pedis) is a common fungal infection of the feet, usually occurring between the toes. Symptoms include pain, burning, itching, cracking, scaling, and swelling. Sometimes the infection can spread to the soles of the feet and to the toenails and if untreated, can infect other parts of the body as well.
A fungus that becomes active when exposed to a warm and moist environment or when there is a change in the condition of the skin causes athlete’s foot. Contrary to popular belief, athlete’s foot is not found just in the locker rooms, although the moist environment of pool and shower areas is perfect for harboring fungus. Shoes and socks are also breading grounds because they tend to accumulate perspiration and moisture. Thus your shoes should be treated with Lysol Disinfectant Spray if you suspect athlete’s foot. Anyone can get athlete’s foot. Some people are more prone to fungal infections because of their age, heredity or health conditions. Geriatrics are more susceptible because as there skin ages, it becomes thinner and dryer and is less able to guard against fungal infections. People with diseases that lower their resistance to infection are also at increased risk and should take preventive measures to keep athlete’s foot in check. It is important to treat athlete’s foot when symptoms first occur to keep the infection form spreading to other parts of the body. Some over the counter products are effective for most cases of athlete’s foot. Recurrence is common if treatment is terminated too early or if the fungus is still lingering inside shoes and socks. If the problem still persists, make an appointment at McKinney Foot Center or at your local Podiatrist office. You can prevent athlete’s foot by keeping your feet clean and dry. Always wear clean socks and try not to walk barefoot in community areas.
Sweaty Feet (Hyperhydrosis)
The tendency to sweat excessively is called hyperhydrosis. I addition to causing foot odor, walking on sweaty feet can pave the way for fungus growth and other infections. If your feet sweat, be especially careful to keep them dry and clean. Use an antiperspirant powder or spray and change your socks whenever they become damp. McKinney Foot Center carries a product called On Your Toes that works very well for malodorous feet. Call us if you would like to purchase this product from our office.