What are the symptoms of athlete's foot

Many people are very troubled and distressed by the problem of athlete's foot. Athlete's foot can manifest itself in different symptoms. The most common ones are small blisters, or local itching, and some may also cause erosion and exudation.

1. Dyshidrotic blister type: Initially, there are many scattered thick small blisters, which form ring-shaped scales after rupture, or multiple ring-shaped scales, which can gradually expand into flakes, the skin gradually thickens, and it is itchy.

2. Interdigital type: It often occurs between the 3rd and 4th toes or the 4th and 5th toes, and is manifested by a small amount of scaling (Figure 1) and severe itching. Patients often scratch unconsciously, and sometimes the scales are not obvious, only itching is felt, which is called asymptomatic type, but they are often carriers. Scratching can easily lead to secondary bacterial infection, resulting in local erosion, moisture and exudation.

3. Scaly and keratotic type: It manifests as localized irregular erythematous scaly patches on the soles, heels and lateral edges of the feet, with obvious keratinization, roughness and dryness, and clear or unclear boundaries (Figure 2). Symptoms are more severe in winter and are prone to chapped skin. A few papules or blisters often appear in summer. The course of the disease is chronic, the skin may thicken over time, and the toenails are easily affected. This type is mostly caused by Trichophyton rubrum, and the condition is stubborn and difficult to cure.

4. Moist erosive type: This type is often secondary to the interdigital type or dyshidrotic blister type, mostly caused by excessive scratching, often followed by bacterial infection, obvious local inflammation, maceration and erosion, obvious exudation, and itchy and painful sensations. It is more common in summer.