Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection and is contagious as it affects the skin and spreads to the hands and toenails. It is actually called as athlete’s foot as it is commonly observed in most athletes. Although it may not be serious, it can sometimes be really difficult to cure. If ever you have a poor immune system or diabetes and you have noticed you have an athlete’s foot, you need to talk to your doctor immediately.

Especially if the infection still not goes away, the attending physician may still prescribe for stronger and better anti-fungal medications in tablet forms. With an effective treatment procedure, athlete’s foot will last only for weeks or days. Through an anti-fungal medication, the fungi will be killed that bring the infection. The anti-fungal medication will kill the fungi causing the infection and will usually be available in different forms like:

tablets
powders
liquids
sprays
creams

In addition to that, you need to see a doctor to treat athlete’s foot if you have the following:

Blisters on the Feet
Feet with Severe Scaling, Cracking and Peeling
Signs of Bacterial Infection like Pus Discharge, Red streaks that extend from the affected area, increased pain, heat, tenderness, swelling and redness
Fever that reaches 100.4 degree Fahrenheit or higher than that
Infections starts to appear and to spread
Diseases linked with poor circulation or diabetes and you have an athlete’s foot. Those who have diabetes will be at a higher risk of severe bacterial infection of the leg and foot.
Symptoms still do not improve after treatment of two weeks.

In this regard, watchful waiting will be a time wherein you and your doctor will observe the condition or the symptoms. There will be no medical treatment to be used. The athlete’s foot may as well be treated at home.

But remember that a severe, recurrent and persistent infection will need to be evaluated by a physician or a doctor. If ever the symptoms still appear, you need to make use of a non-prescription product. If ever the symptoms have still not improved after two weeks of the treatment, the more that you need to contact your doctor.

Health professionals or health experts that will be there ready to treat or diagnose your condition include the following:

podiatrists
dermatologists
family medicine doctors
nurse practitioners
physician assistants

Never leave this condition not treated as the infection may spread to other areas of the body like the toenails. This may as well cause infection on the palms of the hands. Actually, the fungus which causes athlete’s foot grows on the surface of the skin. If there will also be cracks on the skin, these will usually enter the body and will spread to those exposed tissues.

Prevent the infection from spreading to other parts of your body and call the athlete’s foot doctor immediately!