Responding to symptoms: Foot conditions What can be foot conditions be subdivided into? Can be subdivided into those that result from: 1. Opportunistic infection - Athlete's foot - Verrucae 2. Incorrect distribution of pressure - Corns Athlete's foot: What is athlete's foot? A form of Tinea (Ringworm) - What is ringworm? - Although its name suggests otherwise, it is a skin infection caused by a fungus, not a worm - Body (tinea corporis) - Scalp (tinea capitis) - Groin area (tinea cruris , or jock itch) - Feet (tinea pedis, or athlete's foot) Ringworm - Epidemiology: - Common skin disorder - Affects people of all ages - Adolescents and young adults especially Ringworm - Aetiology: What causes ringworm? - Dermatophytes => a pathogenic fungus that grows on skin, mucous membranes, hair, nails, feathers, and other body surfaces, causing ringworm and related diseases. - Feed on keratin, found on outermost layer of dead skin - Very unlikely to infiltrate living tissue - Colonisation by-products such as keratinase (particular class of extracellular proteolytic inducible enzyme with the capability of degrading insoluble keratin substrates) elicit mild to severe host response »> inflammation and erythema >> itching How is ringworm transferred/spread? - Contagious Passed from one person to the next via: - direct skin-to-skin contact - contact with contaminated items such as combs, unwashed clothing, and shower or pool surface - Pets, especially cats - Warm, moist areas of the body - Frequent wetness (such as from sweating) and minor injuries to skin, scalp, or nails How are ringworm symptoms presented? - Itchy, red, raised, scaly patches that may blister and ooze - Sharply-defined edges - Redder around the outside with normal skin tone in the center - appearance of a ring - Multiple rings may be present - When scalp or beard is infected, may result in bald patches - If nails are infected (onychomycosis), they become discolored, thick, and even crumble Tina capitis - a cutaneous fungal infection (dermatophytosis) of the scalp.
Tine Corporis - superficial fungal infection (dermatophytosis) of the arms and legs/ or any part of the body C CrutchfieldDermatology.com Tinea Cruris (Jock itch) - fungal infection which usually develops in the skin around the groin, inner thighs, and buttocks Tinea Pedis - Athlete's Foot - Most common What is athlete's foot caused by? - A fungus called Tinea pedis - often picked up from damp changing rooms and swimming pool floors How are athlete's foot symptoms presented? - Wet macerated (softening or breaking) areas between toes - Skin looks white and 'soggy'-2° infection risk- or dry and scaly initially - Red and Itchy - May occasionally involve sole and instep of foot - Very resistant to heat/washing - high risk of re-infection
WWHAM W- who? - Someone taking part in athletics - Wearing same trainers - School children What are some hygiene points/ practical advice for people with Athelete's foot? - Change socks daily/ frequently - Wash feet daily + dry - Cotton socks and leather shoes - Keep