If you’re a football jock, you’re probably no stranger to this dicey skin disorder. At some time or the other, most American sportspersons are plagued by the scaling, itching, blisters and cracked skin that accompany athlete’s foot. This is a fungal infection and usually appears between the toes. If left untreated, it can cause some real problems  exposed, abraded tissue, severe pain and swelling, and infection that can spread to other areas as well.

Athletes foot can appear in any area where the skin folds and is caused by parasitic fungi. They can be either dermatophytes or yeast, and thrive in any dark, warm, moist area that doesn’t see much ventilation which is why an athletes sports shoe is a major breeding ground for them. But don’t be surprised if your dermatologist says that you have a case of athletes foot in your groin, armpit or the inside of your knee or elbow. The name is deceptive, because it can happen to someone who has never been in sneezing distance of a gymnasium or football field, too. It’s a truly democratic skin disorder.

You can treat athletes foot with antifungal medication, but don’t expect instant results. Clearing a severe case of athletes foot with topical antifungal agents is a long process that can take up to a month and a half. Also, they may not prevent re-infection. Your skin doctor will be able to tell you what kind of treatment is best in your case. A yeast infection, for instance, would not respond well to some antifungal medication that would work well for a dermatophyte infection.

If you’re into natural remedies, tea tree oil and some applications containing urea are known to help yes, even raw urine! There are also oral medications for athletes foot, and these can cure the problem in totality.