Water fleas (tinea pedis): symptoms, causes, to medicine • hello healthy

Definition

What are water fleas (tinea pedis)?

Water fleas, aka tinea pedis, are a type of ringworm or tinea that appears on the feet, especially between the fingers. This condition usually occurs if you have sweaty feet.

Water fleas can cause the skin of the feet to feel itchy, peel off, and sometimes even get injured. Apart from growing on the feet, the fungus that causes water fleas can also spread to the toenails and even the hands.

Because athletes are more susceptible to this condition, the disease is also commonly referred to by name athlete's foot.

How common athlete's foot ?

Water fleas can happen to anyone regardless of gender and age. Both men and women at any age are equally likely to experience this tinea pedis.

It's just that, when compared to children, adults tend to experience water fleas more often. Generally, this disease affects more men than women.

However, there is no need to worry because you can avoid the possibility of developing tinea pedis by reducing the risk factors. Consult a dermatologist for more information.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of water fleas?

Signs and symptoms of water fleas or tinea pedis can vary from person to person. However, the most common symptoms of water fleas include the following.

• Irritations such as itching, a burning sensation, burning, and stinging between the toes.
• The sides and soles of the feet also feel very itchy.
• Skin blisters and blisters due to itching on the feet.
• The affected area of ​​the skin of the foot appears reddish in color.
• The skin between the toes looks cracked and peeling.
  
• The skin appears drier on the sole or side of the foot.
• Toenails change color, become thicker and brittle.
• The injured toenail looks even out of place.

Sometimes, fluid also appears from the skin on the feet where the fungus is growing. This fluid usually causes itching, a burning sensation, and even causes swelling. Not infrequently, open wounds on the feet due to water fleas will make them more susceptible to exposure to bacteria.

If not treated immediately, of course this fungal infection can easily spread from the skin of the feet to the toes. In some fairly rare cases, this tinea infection can spread to the hands.

Tinea that appears on the hands will cause symptoms that are not much different from those on the feet.

Forgetting to wash your hands after touching an area where you have water fleas on your feet, or then scratching at other parts of your body, can increase the spread of fungus. As a result, other parts of your body are also at risk for ringworm.

Therefore, it is important to treat your feet properly and properly after symptoms appear. After touching the area of ​​the skin that has ringworm, don't forget to wash your hands immediately with soap and water.

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

Immediately get checked out if you experience a rash on the skin, itching, and sores on the legs that do not get better after being given pharmacy drugs. Especially when you notice an infection on the skin, which is characterized by redness, itching, burning, and even blisters.

If you have diabetes and are worried about the possibility of experiencing tinea pedis, do not delay to check with your doctor.

The health condition of each person's body is different. Always consult a doctor in order to get the best treatment regarding your health condition.

Cause

What causes water fleas?

The name is indeed a water flea, but the cause of tinea pedis is not due to a real flea, but the result of a fungal infection that lives in the outer layer of the skin.

At least there are several types of fungi that are known to cause water fleas, namely as follows.

• Trichophyton T. rubrum
• T. interdigitale
• Epidermophyton floccosum

All three are included in the dermatophyte fungi group that can damage the skin and toenails. Because, they have the ability to live in keratin tissue. Keratin is a protein in nails and hair that keeps nails and hair healthy.

Athlete's foot can be transmitted in various ways, including:

• Direct contact. Water fleas can be spread through skin contact with an infected person, for example when your hands or feet accidentally come into direct contact with someone else's ringworm wound.
• Indirect contact. This transmission occurs when you touch or use personal items that have been contaminated with mold such as clothes, socks, shoes, towels, and so on.

After transferring to another body, the fungus does not usually just grow. The new fungus will thrive when your feet are wet and damp. That is why water fleas are often experienced by people who are diligent in exercising, swimming, or using public bathrooms.

Especially when you don't keep your feet clean, people with weak immune systems are usually more susceptible to it athlete's foot .

Risk factors

What increases your risk of getting water fleas?

Anyone actually has the same risk for experiencing tinea pedis. However, you will be more susceptible to this disease if you often do habits that make your feet moist, such as the following.

• Walk barefoot in high-risk public areas, such as locker rooms, saunas, swimming pools and public showers.
• Exchanging socks, shoes or towels with an infected person.
• Often wear shoes and socks that are tight or that cover the nails.
• Have feet that sweat easily.
• Leaving your feet wet or sweaty, then wearing shoes or socks for extended periods of time.
• Have a minor injury to your skin or toenails.

Medicine and medication

How to diagnose this condition?

It is important to note, that not all itchy feet, sores, and peeling always indicate the presence of tinea pedis. Usually, doctors can immediately diagnose this yeast infection just by looking at the condition and symptoms.

Alternatively, the doctor will take a sample of the infected skin, then take it to the laboratory to see if the bacteria is present.

How to treat water fleas?

Treatment of water fleas is generally determined based on the severity of the condition. If classified as mild, over-the-counter (OTC) topical drugs can help relieve symptoms. However, when the condition is severe, the doctor will usually prescribe another, stronger type of drug.

The medication for water fleas that doctors usually prescribe is an oral (drinking) antifungal drug. The goal is of course to kill the fungus while stopping its growth. It is important to take the medicine until it's finished to prevent the infection from coming back.

Here are some OTC drug options and prescriptions for tinea pedis that doctors often recommend.

Over-the-counter (OTC) water flea medication

There are various types of topical OTC antifungal drugs, namely:

• Miconazole (Desenex)
• Terbinafine (Lamisil AT)
• Clotrimazole (Lotrimin AF)
• Butenafine (Lotrimin Ultra)
• Tolnaftate (Tinactin)
• Ketoconazole
• Econazole
• Sulconazole

Prescription drugs

If over-the-counter medications don't work or if you have a severe infection, you may need to take an antifungal that was prescribed by your doctor. Several options for prescription drugs athlete's foot , includes:

• the topical medication clotrimazole by prescription,
• topical prescription miconazole medication,
• oral antifungal medications, such as itraconazole (Sporanox), fluconazole (Diflucan), and terbinafine (Lamisil) by prescription,
• topical steroid drugs, as well
• oral antibiotics for the development of bacterial infections due to injured skin.

Sometimes, if the symptoms of tinea pedis are very severe, your doctor may recommend that you use hydrocortisone. Low doses of hydrocortisone are available over the counter. Meanwhile, a stronger dose must be through a doctor's prescription.

However, not everyone can be given antifungal drugs as previously described. The dose of administration can even be different, for example for children and the elderly who suffer from water fleas.

Some types of antifungal drugs are also not recommended to be taken during pregnancy because they can cause birth defects. We recommend that you consult further to your doctor for the best treatment for this condition.

Home remedies

What are some home remedies to treat water fleas?

Here are lifestyle and home remedies that can help you deal with water or fleas athlete's foot .

• Wash your feet regularly with soap and water.
• Use natural water flea remedies, such as garlic, salt water, and tea tree oil solution.
• Routinely change shoes and socks as often as possible, so that your feet are always clean and dry.
• After washing your feet, dry them with a towel, especially between the fingers that are often missed.
• Always use clean towels, wash them regularly. Avoid borrowing other people's towels, or sharing your towels with other people.

Prevention

What can be done to prevent water fleas?

Before water fleas actually occur, here are some efforts that can be done to prevent tinea pedis.

• Keep your feet dry, especially after showering, swimming, or washing your feet.
• Wear comfortable shoes or sandals, try not to cover them while your feet are still wet.
• Change your socks regularly, especially if you sweat easily.
• Use powder to keep feet dry.
• Use socks with natural fabrics that can absorb sweat.
• Let your shoes air out for some time, before putting them back on.
• Always use flip-flops when in swimming pools and public bathrooms.
• Avoid exchanging thoughts with other people, as this can increase your risk of getting a yeast infection.
• Try to wear shoes that are light and not too tight. Avoid shoes with synthetic materials such as vinyl or rubber, as they tend to be damp and don't absorb sweat.
• Have spare shoes, so they can be used interchangeably with other shoes.
  

If you have questions, consult your doctor for the best solution for your disease.