Athlete's foot or tinea pedis is a common fungal infection that usually begins between the toes or fingers of your feet that can cause itching in the toe webs, scaling or blistering of the feet soles, stinging and burning sensation, etc. Many of the athlete's foot cases are caused by the fungi belonging to a group called dermatophytes that causes ringworm and jock itch or groin rash called tinea cruris.
The fungi that cause Athlete's foot grow in warm and humid conditions and feed on keratin, a protein found in hair, nails, and skin. We can see it commonly in people whose feet are sweaty, people who wear tight shoes for hours, wear wet socks, etc.
The fungi spread when you come in direct or indirect contact with an infected person, by skin particles that is left on the floor, towel and shoes or sandals. It can also be contacted by using locker rooms, swimming pools, gyms, common showers, salons, walking barefoot in the same area where an infected with athlete's foot has just walked, etc. It can also be spread or infected by sharing clothes, shoes or sandals, beds or mats with the infected person or person having the Athlete's foot or tinea pedis or fungal infection. People with impaired immune systems or diabetes must consult a doctor for the better and right treatment.
To identify fungi for diagnosing and treatment, the skin is scraped from the affected areas of the feet and biopsy is done under the microscope to detect the type of fungi. Normally the medicine is the over-the-counter type which gets cured within 1-2 week. An antibiotic pill and antiperspirants like 20% aluminium chloride (Drysol) can keep one's feet dry and clean.
For more remedy, you can even go through our post on the same issue i.e.
Remedies and precautions for Athlete's foot or Valam Kadi or Tinea Pedis