Athlete’s foot is an infection that is caused by fungi. This condition can cause itching, swelling, toenail discoloration, and other unpleasant symptoms. Fungi that cause an athlete’s foot, live in a warm and humid environment. You can easily catch them if you walk barefoot in public places or even at home. 

You can easily get rid of the fungal infection if you consult a foot doctor in time. However, many people tend to believe in various misconceptions that can do more harm than good. Here is a list of six debunked myths about an athlete’s foot you should stop believing in. 

1. There is no need to treat fungal infection

Many people think that an athlete’s foot is not dangerous and it can disappear on its own. But the reality is that untreated fungal infection can advance and cause severe complications. Fungi can spread to other body parts like your hands and groin. Additionally, they can affect your toenails and cause onychomycosis.

2. Athlete’s foot can’t be cured

This myth is opposite to the aforementioned misconception. You should know that an athlete’s foot can be easily treated by a foot doctor. There are many types of fungi and only a doctor can define what type exactly causes your condition.

Due to the type of fungi and the severity of your condition, a doctor will choose a medication. It is important to follow the doctor’s recommendation and don’t interrupt treatment when the symptoms start to disappear. Otherwise, the infection can reoccur and you will have to treat it again. 

3. Fungal infection always causes toenail discoloration

An athlete’s foot usually damages the skin between the toes and spreads to toenails and other body parts when it becomes advanced. Additionally, there are a lot of conditions that can cause toenail discoloration. That’s why it is not recommended to perform self-treatment especially if you don’t know the underlying cause of your condition. 

4. Home remedies can easily cure athlete’s foot

Indeed, some home remedies can ease the symptoms of fungal infection and even reduce fungal overgrowth. But herbs and other remedies can’t cope with serious cases of athlete’s foot. You can use various foot baths and compresses to reduce itching and swelling caused by this condition. But if you want to get rid of the athlete’s foot as soon as possible and avoid complications, you need to seek professional medical care. 

5. If your feet are not wet, it is impossible to get a fungal infection

Even though people who have sweaty feet are more prone to get athlete’s foot, it is not the only risk factor for this condition. Fungi can penetrate your skin through cuts, cracks, and little wounds. 

For example, people with ingrown toenails can easily get infected since an ingrown toenail can open the way to the bloodstream. You should also be extremely careful during pedicure because unsterile tools can also carry fungi. 

6. Only older people are prone to fungal infection

An athlete’s foot doesn’t affect people in correlation to their age. Up to 15 percent of people have this fungal infection and up to 70 percent of people will get it during their lifetime. This means that any child or an adult can get infected with this issue. However, older people tend to pay less attention to their feet. That’s why fungal infection becomes more severe and obvious in older people. 

The bottom line

If you have got an athlete’s foot, it is important to visit a foot doctor and perform a timely and proper treatment. Additionally, you shouldn’t trust groundless myths that can make your condition worse. If you are not sure what exactly the disease you have, you can always make an appointment with your foot doctor who will evaluate your condition and advise correct treatment options.