Most people are not able to tell the difference between an athlete’s foot and toenail fungus. Do you know the difference? Both conditions indeed have similarities, but they are not the same. They have some significant differences that affect their diagnosis and treatment. Learn the difference between athlete’s foot and toenail fungus in this article. Get a consultation with the best Podiatrists in Brooklyn.
Athlete’s Foot vs. Toenail Fungus
Athlete’s Foot and toenail fungus are not the same. Athlete’s foot is a common foot condition that occurs when the tinea fungus spreads on the feet. Toenail fungus is a fungal infection that affects just your toenails.
Causes
While both conditions are caused by fungus, which can thrive in warm, moist places to grow and cause an infection, the location of the infection is different. Athlete’s foot occurs on most of the bottom of the feet and between the toes. Whereas toenail fungus occurs in between the toenail and your toenail bed (the tissue underneath your toenail), which happens when you have a crack or cut on your toe. Athlete’s foot is also a common risk factor for toenail fungus, as any fungal infection can cause both diseases.
Symptoms
Symptoms of both conditions are also different.
When you have athlete’s foot, you may experience symptoms like:
- Itching, stinging, and burning sensations between your toes or soles of your feet.
- Cracking or peeling skin on your feet, usually between your toes and on your soles.
- Dry skin on the soles or sides of the feet.
- Discolored, thick, and crumbly toenails, if the infection spreads to the toenails.
- Toenails start to pull away from the nail bed.
Whereas toenail fungus symptoms only affect the toenail or the surrounding area of the toe, but not the whole foot. Your toenail may:
- Change color, looking white, yellow, or brown.
- Look chalky or cloudy in some spots.
- Become misshapen and thickened.
- Separate from the nail bed.
- Crack or break in one or more spots.
Treatment
When it comes to treatment, initial treatment is given with over the counter (OTC) topical antifungal medications, but the brand can be different sometimes. And if this fails, then prescription oral or topical antifungal medications are used. However, the main difference is that the athlete’s foot gets cured with medications, whereas, in severe toenail fungus cases, surgical intervention is used to remove the infected toenail and treat the nailbed to remove the infection and allow new nail to form.
Another difference is that mild cases of athlete’s foot can be treated at home with tea tree oil; however, its efficacy has not been well researched yet. Whereas in toenail fungus, medicated cream or polish is used to remove the infection as a home remedy.
How are Athlete’s Foot and Toenail Fungus similar?
One of the main reasons why athlete’s foot and nail fungus seem similar is that they are both caused by the same type of fungi. Dermatophytes are tiny fungi that cause these infections. However, yeast, bacteria, and mold also cause nail infections. Moreover, athlete’s foot and nail fungi share some risk factors as well. For instance, exposure to moist and warm environments like public swimming pools, locker rooms, communal showers, and saunas increases the risk of both infections.
Also, people with diabetes and weak immune systems are more at risk of both conditions. So, it is essential to note that both conditions can occur at the same time because the fungus that causes these infections can easily spread from one part of the foot to another. For example, if you have athlete’s foot between your toes, the fungus can spread and infect your toenails and cause nail fungus.
While athlete’s foot and toenail fungus are foot conditions, they have some difference that separates them from each other and influences their treatment. The location and symptoms of both conditions are different unless they occur together. But toenail infections can never spread the same way as athlete’s foot, which differentiates them. Make sure you know the difference between them to explain your symptoms to the doctor for an appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
Need help with foot fungal infections? Visit our podiatry clinic in Brooklyn to get professional medical help. Call us to book your appointment now!!!! At Doral Health & Wellness, we have Podiatrists with extensive education and expertise. If you’re ready to take the next step in managing your pain, we recommend consulting with our healthcare provider to explore the right treatments or therapies for you. Always listen to your body and adjust your daily routine to prioritize your well-being. Trauma to the tendons, muscles, and bones of the foot is quite common. It’s not a good idea to put off seeing Foot Doctor Brooklyn until you are in a lot of pain. Our address is 1797 Pitkin Avenue, New York, NY 11212. To make an appointment, please call + 1 718 367 2555 or send an email toinfo@doralhw.org.
