The Fungus That Grows Athlete’s Foot

by Jeff Foster

Caused by the ringworm fungus known as trichophyton, athlete’s foot is known in the medial community as tinea pedis. It is known by those who suffer as a pain in the foot!

Invading and interrupting the lives of up to 70% of us during this lifetime, this foot condition irritates the soles of the foot and in between the toes leading to burning, stinging and itching. The symptoms of athlete’s foot can be particularly bothersome. While athlete's foot most often is found to be growing along the soles of the feet, in the area between the toes, and in some cases can often be found spreading to the toenails, athlete’s foot is not all that choosy. It is known to spread to other areas of the body. Unfortunately, athlete’s foot can spread to the palms of the hands, the under the arms or even the groin area if you are crazy enough to touch your feet and then touch another area of your body.

With the intense itching and irritation of athlete’s foot, it is not hard to imagine that you could easily scratch your foot and then without thinking scratch another part of your body, transferring the ringworm fungus.

No, contrary to its name, athlete’s foot does not just irritate the feet of athletes. It can attack any of us at any time if the conditions are just right.

The fungus of athlete’s foot really loves dark, moist and warm places. If you think about where those types of places are found, then it is not hard to immediately think about sweaty gym shoes, a shared community gym shower, a city swimming pool, where ringworm fungus will enjoy living.

Athlete’s foot can be spread from person to person if you come into contact with the same object which hosted the fungus in the first place. Without the right environment, the ringworm fungus will just curl up and die, but with the perfect scenario watch out for the fungus!

Athlete’s foot can leave you with skin that is flaking, blistering, cracking and peeling. Now, that doesn’t sound the least bit pleasant.

So do what you need to do if you need to treat athlete’s foot and then take the proper measures so that you can avoid a further fungal infection.

Fight hard! Athlete’s foot is a common problem, but it is not something that you simply have to live with, it is a fungus that is due for your best fight!