Why are my feet itching and scaling?

The most frequent cause of itching, scaling, and sometimes blistered feet is called Athlete’s Foot or Tinea Pedis. This is a fungal infection of the skin of the feet and can be very annoying if not treated appropriately.

Fungi thrive in warm, moist environments, like our shoes and socks. Additionally, they love gyms, pools, and locker rooms because they are, again, typically hot and humid.

How is this treated?

The best way of treating this condition is to get a prescription from your foot doctor for a cream or ointment that kills the fungus. Over the counter agents that can be purchased at local drug stores only stop the fungus from multiplying, so this might not work in clearing up your condition.

How is it prevented?

1. Keep your feet dry by changing your shoes and socks regularly, especially if you tend to have sweaty feet.

2. Use over the counter antifungal sprays or powders each day.

3. Spray your shoes out with Lysol to kill germs.

4. Wear shower shoes in locker rooms or around pools.

5. Do not go barefoot.

Why do I need to treat it?

1. Fist, it is annoying, and treatment can make you more comfortable

2. The condition can progress if untreated, requiring oral antifungal medication (pills) or antibiotics (pills) if a secondary bacterial infection occurs from the open sores or blisters on the skin.

3. It can lead to fungal infection of the toenails. This causes the nails to become thick, discolored, and crumbly.

If you feel that you have this condition, contact Dr. Bender, a podiatrist in Oak Park and Chicago, for an appointment to see what treatment is best for you. 708-763-0580 Oak Park office.