Athlete’s foot

Tinea pedis is caused by the mold known as Epidermophyton floccosum or molds of the Trichophyton genus of fungi, including T. rubrum,[5] T. mentagrophytes,[6] and T. tonsurans (more common in children). These micro-organisms are typically transmitted in moist communal areas where people go barefoot, such as swimming pools or in locker rooms, and in a warm moist environment such as the inside of a shoe to incubate. Fungal infection of the foot may be picked-up in a number of ways, such as walking on an infected surface, by sharing a towel used by someone with the disease, by touching the feet with infected fingers (such as after scratching another infected area of the body), or by wearing fungi-contaminated socks or shoes. The fungi may spread to other areas of the body through scratching.
The fungi tend to infect areas of skin that are kept warm and moist, such as with insulation (clothes), body heat, and sweat. However, the spread of the infection is not limited to skin. Toe nails become infected with fungi in the same way as the rest of the foot, typically by being trapped with fungi in the warm, dark, moist atmosphere. A 19% cross-over rate was observed from athlete’s foot to nail fungus.

*Source University Edinburgh, UK 2009

Treatment

To treat athlete’s foot it is necessary to prevent the infection spreading by treating the whole area until the fungi have been eliminated. There are a wide range of over the counter and prescription topical medications in the form of liquids, sprays, powders, ointments, and creams for eliminating fungi that have infected the feet or the body in general. For persistent conditions, oral medications are available through prescription.

PREVENTION

Infection can be prevented by providing a physical barrier between the fungus and the skin.

Excilor 3-in-1 Protector Spray prevents the pathogens from reaching the skin and multiplying. Furthermore, the feet are protected from cross-contamination through infected socks & shoes.