You love to watch your kid out on the soccer field, but right now, a case of Athlete’s Foot is slowing him down. Poor little guy!
Thankfully, athlete’s foot is both common and treatable. Canyon Oaks Foot & Ankle team in Fresno, Ca is here with a treatment guide for parents on how to tackle a case of children’s athlete’s foot.
First off, let’s look at how to know if your kid has athlete’s foot.
Symptoms of Athlete’s Foot
Identifying athlete’s foot isn’t too tricky. At home, you’ll likely be able to determine if your child has athlete’s foot.
Signs and symptoms of athelete’s foot in kids:
- Look out for scaling, cracking, peeling, or dryness of the feet.
- Ask if your child’s foot is itchy or experiencing any burning.
- Check for any blisters or bumps on his feet.
- See if there appears to be a rash on the inner part of his foot.
- Notice if there’s any whiteness, difference in texture, or odor between his toes.
Mild cases are irritating, but more advanced cases can be quite painful. Once you have identified athlete’s foot, it’s important to visit a podiatrist and start treatment.
If you’re having trouble determining whether or not your kid has athlete’s foot, a trip to the podiatrist is prudent.
How to Treat Athlete’s Foot in Children
Once you know, or at least suspect your child has athlete’s foot, it’s key to begin treatment as soon as possible to prevent the condition from worsening or spreading.
Ways to treat athlete’s foot in kids:
- Use over the counter medication, powder, or creams to kill the fungus.
- Spend as much time as possible without shoes or socks on to air out the feet.
- Wash the feet multiple times a day, finishing with a thorough dry.
- Visit your podiatrist, who may prescribe a stronger medication to get on top of the infection.
Tips for Preventing Athlete’s Foot in Kids
Athlete’s foot is closely related to ringworm and jock itch because it is caused by the same kind of fungus.
Since athlete’s foot is contagious, you and your child can take practical steps to prevent it.
How to prevent athlete’s foot in children:
- Keep the feet dry. Ask your kid to change his socks daily, or sooner if he is prone to sweaty feet. Invest in well-ventilated shoes. Make sure he towel-dries his feet after showering.
- Wear flip-flops or sandals in public areas. The fungus that causes athlete’s foot thrives on surfaces in locker rooms, public pools, showers, and gyms.
- Go barefoot at home. Wearing socks all of the time is not recommended.
- Clean your bathroom. Regularly disinfect surfaces, especially in the tub or shower.
- Don’t’ share! This is one time to encourage your kid not to share. Ask him to always use his own towel and not swap footwear with his buddies.
Podiatrist in Fresno
While some treatment measures can be taken right at home, seeing a podiatrist about the condition is recommended.
“It’s important to see a doctor about your athlete’s foot because if it goes untreated, it will continue to spread, making your feet feel really itchy and uncomfortable and will become harder to get rid of,” says KidsHealth from Nemours
Here at Fresno’s Canyon Oaks Foot and Ankle our team of podiatrists is well-equipped to asses the severity of your child’s athlete’s foot and prescribe proper treatment and medication.
We’ll help you get your kiddo back on his feet and out on the field in no time!
Contact us to schedule an appointment.
