Do You Have Smelly Feet?

Why athlete's foot is not for jocks alone!

Athlete's foot is a fungal infection of the feet. It is also known as tinea pedis. Athlete's foot is one of the most common fungal infections. This disease, although caused by fungi, is exacerbated by excessive sweating, excessive moisture and tropical climates.

Athlete's foot often appears as scaly lesions found between the toes. Often, the affected feet are red and itchy. Feet are often reported as malodorous, or "smelly."

In most cases, a doctor's evaluation may be enough to establish a diagnosis. However, a more accurate diagnosis is established by microscopic examination of smears or biopsy specimens. If necessary, a culture of the organism may also be done.

Maintaining hygiene will prevent most skin infections. Also, minimizing chronic moisture is important. Talcum powder, absorbent socks, nonocclusive shoes and, occasionally, 20% to 25% aluminum chloride hexahydrate powder help keep your feet relatively dry. Antifungal powders such as undecylenic acid and tolnaftate also help prevent athlete's foot.

Mild cases of athlete's foot can be treated topically with antifungals. Treatment may last from a week to a month, usually applied daily. Oral antifungals are reserved for more severe cases of athlete's foot. In addition, your doctor may prescribe either topical or oral antibiotics in cases where there is also bacterial skin infection.

Skin Growths on Your Soles Are Not Always Calluses!

Did you know warts also can be found on your feet?

Warts are slow-growing skin growths resulting from infection with the human papilloma virus. They can appear anywhere on the body but when found on the soles are properly called plantar warts. In medical terms, warts are known as verrucae. Children and teenagers are more commonly affected with plantar warts than adults.

Plantar warts are usually small growths on the soles of the feet that are hard and flat with a rough surface. If left untreated, they can grow as much as an inch or more in circumference. If they grow on the weight-bearing areas of the feet, they can cause sharp burning pain as well as discomfort during walking.

Most warts are benign, or harmless, and are limited only to small growths on the skin. They are often mistaken for corns or calluses. However, some harmful conditions can be mistaken for a wart, for example melanoma, a form of skin cancer.

Plantar warts are spread by direct contact with infected skin, walking barefoot in dirty areas, bathing barefoot in communal bathing areas or coming in contact with skin shed from infected feet. They can be very difficult to treat and have a tendency to recur. Self-treatment is not advisable, and it is best to see a podiatrist right away. A podiatrist can prescribe medications or perform simple surgical procedures in order to remove the warts.