Anyone who discovers blisters under their feet usually does not think of athlete’s foot. In some cases, however, a fungal infection is actually the cause.
The most important things at a glance
Athlete’s foot (tinea pedis) is usually relatively easy to recognize: the affected areas are reddened, have fine cracks and scales, and itching can also occur. Areas of skin between the toes are almost always affected.
However, athlete’s foot can also manifest itself in other ways. Among other things, there is a type of athlete’s foot that is associated with blisters and forms mainly under the foot.
Learn more
Experts also speak of the vesicular-dyshidrotic type of athlete’s foot with blisters. “Vesicular” means something like “bubble-shaped”. Dyshidrosis is eczema with blisters that can appear on the hands and feet.
What does athlete’s foot with blisters look like?
Athlete’s foot with blisters usually does not develop between the toes, but mainly in the area of the arch of the foot (foot arch), i.e. under the foot and the edges of the foot.
The disease becomes noticeable when the fungi trigger an acute inflammation of the skin. The affected places
- become red and
- cloudy bubbles form
- which can be very itchy.
The skin may feel tight in the affected area. As the blisters heal, they harden and form a scaly crust.
Already knew?
Athlete’s foot on the sole of the foot can also appear without blisters. You can read more about this type of athlete’s foot, also known as “moccasin mycosis”, here.
Athlete’s foot with blisters: to pierce or not?
Those who have athlete’s foot with blisters in the early stages may be tempted to puncture the small blisters. However, this is not a good idea – there is a risk that pathogens could penetrate the skin and cause further infection.
The blisters will heal on their own after a while. However, they can recur or spread. Therefore, it is important to treat athlete’s foot properly.
Treat athlete’s foot with blisters
Anyone who discovers blisters on their feet should first seek medical advice. Athlete’s foot is just one of many possible causes of skin changes. It is therefore important that a doctor thoroughly examines the affected skin areas.
If it is certain that athlete’s foot with blisters is actually present, treatment is recommended. The infection is not dangerous. Without treatment, however, the pathogens continue to spread. In addition, the nails can also be affected by the fungus.
In most cases, it is sufficient to treat athlete’s foot with creams, sprays, gels or solutions that are available in pharmacies without a prescription. For example, they contain active ingredients such as ciclopirox, terbinafine, naftifine, bifonazole, clotrimazole, miconazole or oxiconazole. If the skin is more inflamed, a prescription cortisone preparation can also be useful.
Only in severe or stubborn cases is athlete’s foot treated with tablets, such as the active ingredients itraconazole or terbinafine. Read more about treating athlete’s foot and possible side effects here.
In addition to drug treatment, those affected can do a number of things to curb athlete’s foot. For example, it is helpful
- to wear sandals or airy shoes,
- take off your shoes more often
- Wear cotton socks and
- dry your feet well after showering and bathing.
