About Itchy Skin Between The Toes
Itchy skin between the toes can be an extremely annoying and discomforting feeling. The skin between the toes is extremely soft and tender and thus is prone to infections if that particular area of the feet is not taken care of. Fungal infections are the primary cause of itchy skin between the toes. It is a common problem for many working individuals as they spend most of their time in shoes and the constant rubbing of the socks between the toes and the sweat makes a perfect atmosphere for a fungal infection.
If a fungal infection is left untreated, the infection may spread to the toenails and even other areas of the feet which may complicate the picture. A fungal infection will cause the skin between the toes to become red and dry. A condition called as scabies which causes a rash or a bump in the skin between the toes can also cause itchy skin between the toes
What Can Cause Itchy Skin Between The Toes?
As stated, the most common cause of an itchy skin between the toes is a fungal infection. The area between the toes is often damp as a result of sweat and provides a breeding ground for fungi to thrive in.
The fungi feed themselves on the dead skin which contains keratin. Ringworm or Athletes Foot is the most common fungi which causes itchy skin between the toes. Scabies is yet another dermatological condition which may lead to itchy skin between the toes.
How Is Itchy Skin Between The Toes Treated?
Over the counter antifungal agents is the frontline treatment to get rid of itchy skin between the toes. These agents may come in the form of topical creams or lotions. The fungal infection may cause cracks in the skin between the toes which predisposes the individual to bacterial infections as the cracks in the skin may allow bacteria to infiltrate the body.
In case of secondary bacterial infections, antibiotics may be prescribed to treat the infection. In case if the infection spreads to the toenails or other area of the body then the patient might require oral antifungal agents to treat the infection.
For infections like scabies, prescription creams and lotions are good enough to treat the infection although it may take several weeks for the itchy skin between the toes to completely fade away.
How To Prevent Itchy Skin Between The Toes?
The best way to prevent itchy skin between the toes is to keep the feet dry. This can be done by thoroughly drying the feet after bathing and before dressing up to go to work. It is essential to wear socks that have pores in them to keep the feet dry even while wearing shoes. Cotton socks are the best to prevent itchy skin between the toes.
For preventing scabies, it is essential to avoid any direct contact with the patient and avoid using any clothing or towels used by the infected individual to prevent getting the infection which may cause itchy skin between the toes.
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