What is tinea?
Tinea pedis, better known as athlete's foot, is a fungal infection of the skin on your feet. It's one of the most common skin conditions we see, and most people will have it at some point in their lives.
Tinea is caused by a group of fungi called dermatophytes. They feed on keratin, the protein in your skin, hair and nails. These fungi are part of the normal mix of germs that live on our skin, and usually cause no trouble. But when the skin barrier is weakened, or the feet stay warm and damp for long periods, they can take hold.
Tinea is sometimes itchy, but often causes no symptoms at all. That's why many people don't realise they have it. It can also be stubborn, and it often comes back without careful treatment.
Why treat it?
On its own, tinea rarely causes serious health problems. But left untreated, it can spread to:
your toenails, causing a fungal nail infection (see [fungal toenail treatment])
your groin (jock itch)
cracks in the skin that let bacterial infections in
irritated, inflamed skin, such as dermatitis
For people with diabetes or poor circulation, broken skin between the toes is a bigger concern, so it's worth treating promptly.
The three types of tinea on the feet
Tinea doesn't always look the same. These are the three types we see most often.
1. Interdigital tinea
Where: Between the toes, most often between the 4th and 5th toes
What it looks like: White, soggy skin that becomes dry and peeling as it clears. Can be itchy.
2. Vesicular tinea
Where: The sole, especially under the arch, and between the toes
What it looks like: Small, itchy blisters filled with clear fluid. The skin becomes dry and peeling as the blisters settle.
3. Moccasin tinea
Where: The sole and sides of the feet, like the shape of a moccasin
What it looks like: Dry, dusty-looking or scaly skin. It's often mistaken for plain dry skin, and is common in people with long-standing fungal toenails.
Other conditions, such as dermatitis, psoriasis and bacterial infections, can look similar. If you're not sure what you're dealing with, or a cream hasn't worked, it's worth getting it checked.
How to treat tinea
Antifungal creams
Most tinea can be treated with an antifungal cream from your pharmacy, without a prescription. Common active ingredients include clotrimazole, bifonazole, miconazole, econazole, ketoconazole and terbinafine. Your pharmacist or podiatrist can help you choose.
The most common mistake is stopping too soon. The skin often looks better within a week or two, but the fungus is still there. As a guide:
Most antifungal creams: use for 4 to 8 weeks, then keep going for another 2 to 4 weeks after the skin looks clear.
Terbinafine creams: usually 4 to 8 weeks.
Always follow the instructions on the product you're using.
How much cream to use
Squeeze a line of cream from the tip of your index finger to the first crease. This is called a fingertip unit, and it's enough to cover one foot: the sole, the sides, and all around your toes and toenails.
Take your time
Spend at least 30 seconds applying cream to each foot. Be very thorough around your toenails and between your toes, where tinea likes to hide.
Skip the moisturiser
There's no need to use a moisturiser on your feet while you're using a tinea cream. Start again once you've finished the treatment.
Don't forget foot hygiene
Washing your feet properly every day helps your antifungal cream work and stops the infection coming back. Read our guide: [How to wash your feet properly].
Can vinegar help?
Some people find vinegar foot soaks helpful, either alongside their antifungal cream or to help keep tinea away. Vinegar is a mild fungistatic, which means it can slow the growth of new fungi. It doesn't kill existing fungi the way antifungal creams do, so it's an extra, not a replacement.
If you'd like to try it:
Use apple cider vinegar, white vinegar or malt vinegar, undiluted.
Fill a lunchbox or shallow tub and soak each foot for 10 to 20 minutes.
Change the vinegar about once a week.
To help clear an existing infection, soak every day alongside your cream, at opposite ends of the day.
To help prevent it coming back, soak for a week once a month.
Avoid vinegar soaks if you have broken skin, cracks or open sores, and check with your podiatrist first if you have diabetes or poor circulation.
Stopping tinea from coming back
Wash and dry your feet properly every day, especially between the toes.
Change your socks every day, or more often if your feet sweat.
Wear thongs in shared showers, at the pool and in change rooms.
Treat anyone else in your household who has tinea or fungal nails at the same time, especially if you share a shower.
Treat fungal toenails too, as they can keep re-infecting your skin.
When to see a podiatrist
Book in if your tinea hasn't cleared after a full course of cream, keeps coming back, has spread to your toenails, or you're not sure it's tinea at all. If you have diabetes, poor circulation or reduced feeling in your feet, see us sooner rather than later.
At Esperance Podiatry, Rebecca can confirm what's going on and set up a plan to clear it and help stop it coming back. No referral is needed. Call (08) 9072 1514 to book.