What is the fungus that causes athlete’s foot?
Athlete's foot (tinea pedis) is a common fungal infection of the skin, primarily caused by fungi. In recent years, with the popularization of health knowledge, people's attention to athlete's foot has gradually increased. This article will introduce in detail the fungal types, symptoms, transmission routes and prevention methods of athlete's foot, and combine it with hot topics in the past 10 days to provide you with comprehensive popular science knowledge.
1. Fungal types of athlete’s foot

The pathogens of athlete's foot are mainly dermatophytes, which belong to the fungal kingdom. The following are some common pathogenic fungi:
| fungus name | Latin name | Infection site |
|---|---|---|
| Trichophyton rubrum | Trichophyton rubrum | feet, nails |
| Trichophyton mentagrophytes | Trichophyton mentagrophytes | feet, groin |
| Epidermophyton floccosum | Epidermophyton floccosum | feet, hands |
2. Symptoms of athlete’s foot
Symptoms of athlete's foot vary depending on the type of fungus and the extent of the infection. Common signs include:
| Symptom type | Specific performance |
|---|---|
| scaly type | Peeling, dryness, and itching on the soles and edges of the feet |
| vesicular type | Small blisters appear on the arch of the foot and between the toes, accompanied by a burning sensation |
| erosion type | The skin between the toes is white, eroded, and smells bad |
3. Paths of transmission of athlete’s foot
Athlete's foot fungus is mainly spread through:
1.direct contact: Share towels, slippers and other items with infected people.
2.indirect contact: Exposure to the fungus in moist environments such as public bathrooms and swimming pools.
3.autotransmission: The infected person scratches the affected area and then touches other parts, causing the infection to spread.
4. Hot topics in the past 10 days and discussions related to athlete’s foot
According to the recent Internet popularity, the following topics are related to the prevention and treatment of athlete's foot:
| hot topics | focus of discussion |
|---|---|
| Athlete's foot is more common in summer | How to prevent athlete's foot in hot and humid environments |
| Natural antifungal methods | The effectiveness of home remedies such as vinegar foot soaks and tea tree oil |
| Athlete's foot reoccurs | How to completely cure athlete’s foot and avoid recurrence |
5. Prevention and treatment methods of athlete’s foot
1.Keep feet dry: Wear breathable shoes and socks to avoid wearing wet shoes for a long time.
2.Avoid sharing items: Do not share towels, slippers and other personal items with others.
3.drug treatment: Use antifungal ointments (such as clotrimazole, terbinafine) or oral medications (such as itraconazole).
4.Home disinfection: Clean shoes and socks regularly and disinfect them with sunlight exposure or high temperature.
6. Summary
Athlete's foot is a common skin disease caused by fungal infection. Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes are the main pathogenic bacteria. By understanding the symptoms, transmission routes, and prevention and treatment methods, athlete's foot can be effectively prevented and treated. Recent hot topics also reflect the public's concern about the prevention and treatment of athlete's foot, especially the response measures during the peak season in summer. I hope this article can provide you with practical health knowledge.
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