Tinea is a condition caused by a fungi that infect the skin. Tinea infections are most common on the feet, particularly between the toes, and tends to be more prevalent in the winter months when our feet are hidden away in socks and shoes all day.
Causes
Tinea can be easily contracted through skin-to-skin contact with an infected person or animal, or through indirect contact with an object or surface that an infected person or animal has touched. Bathroom floors, bathmats, towels, showers and communal bathing, swimming and changing room areas are common sources of infection.
On contact with your skin, the dermatophyte fungi spread to the surface layers of dead cells – they generally do not invade living skin cells. Symptoms result from the body’s allergic and inflammatory response to the infection, and they usually appear within four to 10 days.
Symptoms
Tinea symptoms can differ depending on the location on the body and may include:
- redness and/or itching
- burning or stinging
- a rash that may form blisters or pustules
- raw, inflamed or scaly skin
- in more severe cases, weeping or oozing areas of skin.
Call us today if you are concerned about your feet.
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(09) 212 9612
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