Several common types of athlete's foot

With the arrival of summer, people focus on sun protection and skin care, and often neglect the care of their feet. At this time, athlete's foot takes advantage of the opportunity to invade and become rampant.

There are several common types of athlete's foot. Tinea pedis can be roughly divided into the following types

1. Interdigital tinea pedis, known as "stinky snail" in traditional Chinese medicine

Symptoms include whitening of toe gaps, erosion and severe itching. It is mostly caused by Epidermophyton kohlii, Candida albicans, etc.

2. Dyshidrotic tinea pedis, known in Chinese medicine as “snail blister”

Symptoms include excessive sweating and itching; small blisters on the soles, between toes and insteps with transparent fluid in the blisters. After a few days, the skin becomes dry and then falls off in scales, but new blisters continue to appear. There is erosion between the toes and yellow fluid oozes, which is mostly caused by Epidermophyton floccosum.

3. Keratotic and desquamative tinea pedis, known as "foot vermiform disease" in traditional Chinese medicine

The main symptoms are dry skin, keratinization and desquamation, which exposes tender skin and is prone to cracking and itching in winter. It is mostly caused by Epidermophyton rubrum.

4. Eczematous ringworm rash, known as "athlete's foot sore" in Chinese medicine

The main symptoms are papules and blisters on the dorsum of the feet and lower legs, which are very itchy. In severe cases, the disease may spread to the upper limbs and the entire body. It is mostly caused by improper treatment of tinea pedis, or changes in the tinea fungus itself that makes the body allergic to the tinea fungus.

5. Tinea pedis infection, known as "dampness" in Chinese medicine

It is mostly caused by skin infection due to the invasion of purulent bacteria after scratching of tinea pedis. It can develop into impetigo or erysipelas, and can also cause lymphangitis (commonly known as red line) and lymph node inflammation. In severe cases, it can cause sepsis.