Diagnosis
Athlete’s foot
Diagnosing athlete’s foot typically involves a clinical examination of the affected area. In some cases, additional tests may be conducted to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other conditions.
Diagnostic Tests
- Fungal Microscopy and Culture: Scrapings of the affected skin are examined under a microscope and cultured to identify the specific fungus.
- Bacterial Microscopy and Culture: Swabs may be taken to check for secondary bacterial infections.
- Wood’s Lamp Examination: Ultraviolet light may be used to detect certain types of fungal infections.
Types of Athlete’s Foot
The symptoms and appearance of athlete’s foot can vary based on the type of infection:
- Toe Web Infection: The most common type, it typically affects the skin between the fourth and fifth toes. Symptoms include itching, scaling, and peeling of the skin.
- Moccasin-Type Infection: This type affects the soles, heels, and edges of the feet. The skin may become thickened and crack. In severe cases, the toenails may also become infected, appearing thick and crumbly.
- Vesicular-Type Infection: Characterized by the presence of fluid-filled blisters, this type can appear anywhere on the foot but is most common on the soles.
- Ulcerative Infection: The rarest type, it causes open sores (ulcers) between the toes or on the soles of the feet. These sores can become infected and are often accompanied by severe pain.
