Written by Sindhuja Prabhu
Did you know sweating is a common symptom of pregnancy? Many pregnant women experience night sweats or excessive sweating during the day due to all the changes happening in the body. Excessive sweating can lead to fungal infections including athlete’s foot during pregnancy.
Pregnancy is a time to be extra cautious. One cannot risk catching an infection or a disease because treating it with medications can be complicated. Be it bacterial or fungal, you should never ignore an infection or wait for it to go away on its own, especially when you are pregnant. Read on to learn more about Athlete’s foot during pregnancy.
In This Article
Athlete’s foot, also known as Tinea Pedis, is a fungal infection that causes inflammation in the sole and the skin between the toes. Unlike what the name suggests, an athlete’s foot can affect both athletes and non-athletes alike.
Since it is a fungal infection, it can easily transfer from one person to another through direct contact. Walking bare feet on the surface a person with athlete’s foot walked on, can cause easy transfer of the fungi from one person to another.
Identifying an athlete’s foot can be tricky as different people have symptoms of varying degrees and in different areas. It can be easily mistaken for dry skin on the soles of the feet. An athlete’s foot can cause itching, a burning sensation, or even lead to cracks and fissures on the skin surface. All of which are similar to dry skin.
As fungi thrive in moist and damp areas, the gap between the toes or the surface of the foot is a suitable place for the fungi to breed and grow. Wearing closed shoes can increase sweat, thus increasing the chances of contracting Athlete’s foot.
Some of the common causes of Athlete’s foot during pregnancy are
Since multiple causes can lead to an athlete’s foot, the treatments are also many and differ according to the cause. Overall, keeping the feet dry and clean can help bring the infection under control. Here are some of the treatment options that your doctor may suggest based on your condition
If the athlete’s foot is due to a fungus, it can be very contagious and difficult to prevent spreading. Since the exact cause for the germination or spread of this fungus is unknown, it can be difficult to prevent athlete’s foot at all times. However, you can take the following precautions to reduce the chances of contracting the infection:
An athlete’s foot mostly affects the feet, especially between the toes where moisture often gathers. If you contract athlete’s foot, you can try the following home remedies to help it clear out quickly
Wash your feet with soap and water, twice daily. Soak feet in a tub of warm water mixed with salt crystals or vinegar. Dry your feet, especially between the toes, after washing. Wash the towel separately and do not reuse it without washing it.
Wear cotton socks at home, or with your footwear when you step out. Opt for cotton socks and stockings instead of nylon or other materials that do not absorb moisture or facilitate ventilation. The cotton socks will absorb the moisture and help keep the feet dry at all times
Dust antifungal powder in the affected areas before wearing any footwear. Ask your doctor for an anti-fungal cream and use it as per directions
Wear open slippers or footwear with good ventilation. Avoid wearing closed footwear until the infection has cleared. Do not share your socks or footwear with anyone
Always wear footwear when walking in public areas. If regular footwear is not allowed, use dedicated footwear for that specific location and inform the concerned people about the infection and your intention to not spread it to others.
If you notice any rash on one or both feet or hands, you need to check it immediately. If it is not an Athlete’s foot, it can be some other infection, which will also require medical attention. If your rashes get worse or your skin starts peeling due to the infection, you need to check with your doctor at the earliest.
These infections can become very itchy and touching the infected area can cause the infection to spread to other areas. Not attending to the infections in time can lead to complications like
All of these can be very difficult to treat during pregnancy due to the limitations of the medication. So, it is important to consult your doctor before the infection gets serious or spreads to other parts of the body.
Athlete’s foot during pregnancy is not rare but it is not something one would want to suffer with either. A fungal infection, in your feet between your toes can be very uncomfortable. During pregnancy, you should always be extra cautious and always seek medical help rather than self-medicating.
If you handle your baby after touching the infected area, you can spread the fungus to the baby. Athlete’s foot in babies is very rare but it can spread through direct contact.
Yes, Athlete’s foot is highly contagious. It is caused by a fungus and direct contact with the infected area or coming in contact with a contaminated surface can spread the infection.
Sindhuja, a mother of two, is an obsessive mom with a keen interest in psychology, especially child psychology. Her quest for knowledge and way with words led her to become a passionate content writer. She transformed her love for writing into a full-fledged career which incidentally also turned up being the perfect stress buster for the last 5 years.Read more.
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