a that is also present on the skin in these areas. The normal acidity of the skin is decreased, which favors the growth of these pathogens. Fungi initially damage the outer layer of the epidermis and that causes the dry and scaly Athlete's foot appearance. As the action of fungi and bacteria continue, inflammation increases and fluid may be excreted from the affected areas. This causes more pain, redness and itching. If left untreated, bacterial growth could predominate and lead to erosion of the plantar skin. Some signs and symptoms of Tinea Pedis are moist, soft red or gray-white scales on the feet, cracked, peeling and dead skin areas. Sometimes small blisters can form on the foot and itching is common. There are several self-care procedures for Athlete's Foot. Wash feet two times a day and dry well. Apply OTC anti-fungal powder, cream or spray between toes, socks and shoes. Wear clean socks made of cotton or wool because the natural fibers absorb some of the moisture. Change socks during the day to help feet stay dry and wear shoes that provide some ventilation, like sandals. Finally alternate shoes daily to let each pair air out between wearings. If symptoms do not subside after doing all of the above, send the athlete to a physician for further evaluation and treatment. To lessen the odds of your athletes contracting Athlete's Foot, educate them on prevention. An Athletic Trainer can describe signs and symptoms of this condition so the athletes can catch it in its early stages. They are the ones looking at their feet every day. An effective way to stop the spread Athlete's Foot is to wear sandals in locker rooms, showers and on the pool deck. Also from the Tinea family, Tinea Corporis(ringworm) is found all too common in athletes. Once again males are more often infected than females. The organisms that cause ringworm can live in humans, animals and soil. Tinea Corporis is contracted through direct or indirect ...
