Athletes Foot Treatments

About
^{Athletes Foot Treatments}

Athletes foot also called tinea pedis is a contagious fungal infection that affects the skin on the feet. It can also spread to the toenails and the hands. The fungal infection is called athletes foot because its commonly seen in athletes.Athletes foot isnt serious, but sometimes its hard to cure. If you have diabetes or a weakened immune system and suspect you have athletes foot, you should call your doctor right away.Athletes foot occurs when the tinea fungus grows on the feet. You can catch the fungus through direct contact with an infected person, or by touching surfaces contaminated with the fungus. The fungus thrives in warm, moist environments. Its commonly found in showers, on locker room floors, and around swimming pools.A doctor may diagnose athletes foot by the symptoms. Or, a doctor may order a skin test if they arent sure a fungal infection is causing your symptoms.A skin lesion potassium hydroxide exam is the most common test for athletes foot. A doctor scrapes off a small area of infected skin and places it in potassium hydroxide. The KOH destroys normal cells and leaves the fungal cells untouched so they are easy to see under a microscope.