You don't need to be an athlete to pick up a case of athlete's foot or jock itch. The conditions can happen to anyone. Athlete's foot, or tinea pedis, is a common fungal infection of the feet. Jock itch, or tinea cruris, is a fungal infection of the groin. Because fungi thrive in warm, moist environments such as those created by perspiration, jock itch is common among male athletes, especially those who wear equipment to protect the groin area. It can also be spread by a person, an animal, soil, or even a shower stall. The fungus that causes athlete's foot thrives in warm, moist environments as well. For this reason, locker-room floors, shower stalls, and the like are a primary breeding ground for athlete's foot; however, any surface that your feet come into contact with could potentially transmit the fungus.

Symptoms: Symptoms of athlete's foot include itching, burning, and redness on or between the toes. Most of the time, athlete's foot will not disappear by itself but will instead cause the skin to blister or crack, leaving it susceptible to bacterial infection. The symptoms of jock itch include burning, itching, and red, scaly lesions or rings on the genitals and the inner thighs. Usually jock itch can be identified by its appearance. However, if confirmation of the diagnosis is necessary, the fungus can be cultured in a laboratory to identify its type.

Treatment: Antifungal creams and powders are available by prescription or over the counter. They should be applied for the entire length of time directed, even if the symptoms subside. If jock itch spreads to other parts of the body and becomes "systemic," you should see a health care provider, who will most likely prescribe an oral antifungal to combat it. However, if you're pregnant, you should not take oral antifungal medication, says Janyce Cagan Agruss of Chicago.

Self-care: In addition to using an antifungal product, you can try the following self-care tips:

• Take acidophilus capsules two or three times a day, suggests Mary Ann Zakutney of Washington, D.C. These bacteria are good for any fungal infection, she says.

• Apply tea tree oil, suggests Janyce Cagan Agruss. The oil helps relieve burning and itching when it's applied to the infected area; it can be found in most health food stores, she says.

• Take a foot bath in chlorine bleach, salt water, or vinegar.

• Try garlic. Agruss suggests taking it orally. Kathy Niemeyer of Allendale, Michigan, suggests combining garlic with olive oil in a blender to make a compress that can be applied to the affected area.

• Wear clean white cotton socks, and clean and air out your shoes, says Yvonne Sehy of Salt Lake City. Sandals may be your best option, she says, because they let the air get to the fungus.

Over-the-counter treatment: Antifungal medications come as creams, powders, sprays, and liquids. Liquids and sprays are more appropriate for athlete's foot than for jock itch. These products must be used consistently, notes Yvonne Sehy. Some brand names of antifungal medications are Lotrimin AF, Mycelex, and Absorbine Jr.

Prevention: To prevent athlete's foot, heed the following guidelines:

• Wash your feet at least once a day.

• Keep your feet thoroughly dry. After showering, dry your toes before you put your foot in your shoe, suggests Lygia Holcomb of Orlando, Florida. Some experts suggest applying cornstarch or powder to the toes to absorb moisture.

• Avoid tight shoes, especially in warm weather. Also avoid plastic footwear, suggests Paula Siciliano of Salt Lake City. Leather shoes and sandals are preferable.

• Wear cotton socks rather than those made of synthetic materials. White socks are better than colored socks, which can add to heat buildup inside shoes. Change socks every day.

• Expose your feet to light and air as much as possible. Go barefoot at home if possible. However, if you are prone to athlete's foot, don't go barefoot in locker rooms or around swimming pools, where you could come into contact with the fungus.

• Sprinkle antifungal powder into your shoes during warm months.

• Prevention techniques for jock itch are similar.

• Keep your groin area dry and clean to make it inhospitable to the fungus.

• Avoid polyester shorts or clothing, suggests Sharon Johnson of San Francisco. Instead wear absorbent cotton underwear and change clothes as soon as you finish exercising.

• Wear loose-fitting clothes that allow the evaporation of moisture.

• If necessary, use drying powders and products that reduce sweating.

• Always bring a clean towel from home if you plan to shower at the gym — a breeding ground for fungi and other germs.

• To prevent spreading athlete's foot to the genital area, wash your genital area first, and then your feet, says Sharon Johnson. Also, put socks on your feet before putting them through the legs of your trousers, suggests Barbara Sarter of Los Angeles.

Pages: 1   2   3   4   5  

Copyright © 2001 by American Association of Colleges of Nursing and People's Medical Society

Tags: Disorders and Diseases

About the Author

Geraldine Bednash Ph.D., RN, FAAN, Has been the executive director of the AACN since 1989. She serves as the vice president of nursing of Health Professions Education Council of the Association of Academic Health Centers and is a member of the editorial boards of several nursing publications. More

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) represents 550 schools of nursing at public and private universities and senior colleges nationwide. More