Foot Fungus Specialist

What is foot fungus?

Fungi are normally present on all areas of human skin, but there are many more types found on the skin of your feet. Often, these organisms cause no harm, and their numbers increase and decrease naturally over time. 

Some types of fungi can cause significant changes in the skin of your feet when they penetrate into the deeper layers. Athlete’s foot is a prime example and is an infection caused by a type of fungi called dermatophytes. 

Foot fungus can invade the skin on the top, bottom, or sides of your feet. It can also develop between your toes. Fungal infections can also affect your toenails.  

Am I at risk of developing foot fungus?

Anyone can develop a fungal infection on the skin or nails of their feet. Fungi love warm, damp environments, and the human foot has about 250,000 sweat glands. Shoes trap much of that moisture against your skin, creating the perfect environment for fungi to thrive and multiply. 

Some conditions that increase your risk of fungal foot infection include:

• Health issues like diabetes
• Certain medications like corticosteroids or immunosuppressants
• Advanced age
• Obesity
• Excessive sweating
• Immune system problems

As you can see, some of these factors are within your control, while others are not. 

Can I treat foot fungus at home?

Symptoms of foot fungus include itching and changes in the color or texture of your skin. Toenail fungus can cause nails to thicken, become discolored, lift from the nail bed, or develop an unpleasant smell. 

If you notice these symptoms, you may want to seek professional treatment. Numerous over-the-counter products promise to treat foot fungus, but none match the strength of medications available only to medical professionals. 

It takes time for antifungal medications to take effect. If you try to treat foot fungus using over-the-counter options, you risk allowing the infection to worsen or spread while you wait for treatment to take effect. 

The best way to treat foot fungus is to work with a skilled podiatrist to begin targeted treatment. Advanced Foot & Ankle Center is equipped with an in-house lab that enables the team to identify the exact type of fungus you have and recommend the best method of treatment.Your doctor can also advise you on how to prevent reinfection. 

Don’t live with itching, flaky, or discolored skin and nails when there are effective foot fungus treatments available. Call Advanced Foot & Ankle Center today to set up a visit or schedule online.