Athlete's Foot

If you find yourself rubbing your foot across the back of your legs or peeling off your socks and shoes to get to an itch between your toes, you may be suffering from Athlete's Foot. 

Athlete's foot is a fungal infection of the foot caused by dermatophytes, which are parasites on the skin.   Athlete's foot , known as tinea pedis, is a fungal infection that develops mainly in the moist areas between the toes. It is more common in men than in women. The most common species of dermatophyte causing  Athlete's foot are Microsporum, Epidermophyton and Trichophyton, accounting  for 90 per cent of all skin fungal infections. We all have fungi on our bodies, which feed on dead skin cells and are usually harmless. The fungi love warm, moist places with the result they are primarily a problem for people who wear tight-fitting trainers, don't dry their feet properly or those who have foot conditions which prevent separation of the toes for evaporation.


Damp footwear and warm, humid conditions also promote fungal growth; plastic shoes in particular provide a favorable environment for fungal growth and infection. Athletes are at increased risk, hence the common name for the condition, due to increased sweating and closed trainers. Those who necessarily wear rubber footwear due to workplace regulations are also prone to infection.

The fungus can live in footwear and on the surfaces of mats, rugs and clothes for up to six months.

The condition is contagious and is often picked up from going barefoot in places where people with the fungus have walked.  It can also be spread by skin-to-skin contact between people and, those with weakened immune systems are particularly susceptible to athlete’s foot and other fungal infections.

Common symptoms of athlete's foot include itchiness between the toes, particularly the little toe. Sometimes this is accompanied by a burning or stinging and breaks in the skin. The infection can spread to the rest of the foot and sometimes to the palms of the hands.

Important first steps to take involve washing your feet daily and drying them thoroughly before putting on shoes and socks. You should use a separate towel to dry your feet  and to avoid passing on the infection, you should not share your  towels with others.  Allow the air to get to your feet as much as possible and wear cotton socks which will have a wicking effect, taking moisture away from the feet.

If possible, try to wear shoes that are not made of synthetic materials and use an antifungal powder or spray on the inside of all footwear. Unfortunately, the condition may also cause a fungal infection of the nails.     Check your feet a few times a week, especially between the toes, to see if there are any indications of athlete’s foot. If you have diabetes, please check your feet every day.

There are many antifungal creams, sprays, liquids and powders that are available from pharmacists without a prescription. A very good first line treatment is with our own 'Ditch that Itch', an aromatherapy product from our Body Essentials range                             

  Other antifungal products  include clotrimazole ( Canesten) and miconazole (Daktarin); terbinafine(Lamisil  AT) ), zinc undecenoate,(Mycota)  and tolnaftate (Mycil).  If in any doubt about the diagnosis or treatment of athelet's foot, please pay a quick visit to the Footcare Clinic and chat to your podiatrist.

An itchy foot is not normal and a quick reaction from you may prevent the spread of this uncomfortable disorder.

Piezogenic Papules

Although they are quite alarming in appearance, piezogenic papules are quite harmless and mostly painless. They are soft  and compressible lumps, often on the back  or the side of the heel  and often,  on both feet.  

Another distinctive feature is that they are not visible when the foot is off the ground

They are caused by small herniations of fatty tissue breaking through tiny tears in the fascia of the heel, which is why they are not  apparent when the foot is lifted from the floor.

 Often the person who has piezogenic papules is young and athletic.  The papules tend to occur more commonly in women than men.

People who have the connective tissue disorder, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome are more susceptible to these papules as are those who stand for long periods of time.  Athletes, especially long distance runners often develop piezogenic papules. They are not age-related nor do they affect any specific ethnic group.. Occasionally, obesity may be a  causative factor.

Piezogenic papules range in size from 2 mm to 2 cm and are usually pain free. Sometimes there is pain present if nerves are herniated through the fascia along with the fatty tissue. These painful papules  are usually a little larger than 2cm and they occur less frequently.  If pain is present it is usually associated with a history of standing for long periods.

Painful Piezogenic papules may require some changes in lifestyle, to reduce the amount of weight bearing exercise and if appropriate, to reduce body weight.  Compression stockings may help by preventing the herniations whilst heel cups or heel taping often relieves pain.

A visit to your podiatrist will guide you towards the best day to day management regime of Piezogenic papules and orthotics may be prescribed to reduce the pressure on the heel.

If the papules are painless, no treatment is necessary.