Athlete’s Foot is the most common of all fungal infections in Western urban society; different publications have reported that up to 15% of people in the UK¹ and up to 25% of the European population² at any given time may be infected. Certain groups or occupations are more at risk of infection than others (e.g. frequent swimmers, members of the armed forces and those who work in heavy industry, such as mine workers)³.

 

Other vulnerable groups include the immuno-suppressed (whether from organ transplant, AIDS/HIV, diabetes, auto-immune disorders or drug-induced immuno-suppression). Diabetics in particular are at far greater risk of developing complications from an Athlete’s Foot infection⁴.

 

Athlete’s Foot normally requires a regimen of up to four weeks with a topical anti-fungal agent to cure not only the physical symptoms, but also the underlying infection itself. Invariably, physical symptoms tend to improve after only a few days of treatment before the fungus is fully eradicated. This can result in the sufferer stopping the treatment and thus risking a relapse of the fungal infection.

The patient's attitude to footcare is a highly influential factor in recurrence.  Regardless of the treatment applied, Athlete's Foot is likely to recur if the patient is lax about foot hygiene, especially after taking part in sporting activities.