How To Get Rid Of Athlete’s Foot Fast?

podiatrist in Port Washington NY

If you wear shoes while participating in your sport, you may be developing athlete’s foot and not even know it. What is athlete’s foot, you may be wondering? It’s a fungal skin infection that occurs between one’s toes caused by excessive sweating of the feet in tight shoes. A podiatrist in Port Washington NY at Great Neck Family Foot Care may be just what you are looking for in that case.

Athlete’s Foot

Athlete’s foot is a pretty common infection, and although it’s in the name, you don’t have to be an athlete to become infected with it. Athlete’s foot is caused by various fungi that thrive in warm, tight, moist environments (aka shoes) and feed on keratin, which is a protein that is most commonly found in skin, hair, and nails. This means that feet in tight shoes can become a perfect breeding ground for athlete’s foot to develop.

Athlete’s foot is very contagious, meaning it can spread through surfaces, towels, clothes and infect other healthy parts of the body. It is also possible to get athlete’s foot from a gym or public swimming pool and not know it for weeks later. If you display any of the symptoms below, it may be time to visit a podiatrist in Port Washington NY, before the infection spreads. Symptoms include:

  • Scaly, cracked, or irritated skin between toes
  • Extreme itchiness of feet
  • Multiple small blisters on soles of feet or between toes
  • The skin may appear red, purple, or gray (depending on skin color)
  • Ulcers that smell bad and leak fluid

Treatment

It is always best to treat athlete’s foot as soon as you notice a symptom, no matter how minor it may seem. There are over-the-counter products and home treatments available, but as everyone’s skin type is different, these are not guaranteed fixes for everyone. The best solution remains to visit a podiatrist in Port Washington NY to have your condition evaluated by a professional.

It is also important to note that athlete’s foot can be tougher to cure in particular people with existing health conditions. People with diabetes or a weakened immune system may require more potent treatments from doctors.

Depending on the severity of your athlete’s foot, doctors have a variety of different treatments they could use to help cure you. Some treatments include:

  • Soaking feet in saltwater or vinegar
  • Oral antifungal medications
  • Topical steroid medications
  • Over-the-counter creams

Contact Great Neck Family Foot Care

If you believe you could be showing signs of athlete’s foot, the earlier you can get it checked out by a professional, the better. At Great Neck Family Foot Care, there is sure to be a podiatrist in Port Washington NY that will help you find a solution to your discomfort. Please don’t delay, contact our office today!