A : Athlete's foot is a common, contagious fungus infection of the skin, which usually occurs on the feet, especially the soles and skin between the toes. It is not only confined to the athletes but may affects anyone in any age group.

Perspiration in a dark moist environment is the perfect place for fungal producing athletes' foot. Athletes' foot can spread around locker rooms, spas, pools and other public areas. It is important that you protect your feet in these areas and wear flips flops, crocs etc..

Tight-fitting trainers are a common cause of athlete's foot. Athlete's foot is a fungal infection of the foot caused by parasites on the skin called dermatophytes. Dermatophytes can be divided into three groups according to their favourite hosts: Athlete's foot is usually caused by anthropophile fungi. The most common species are Microsporum, Epidermophyton and Trichophyton. These account for 90 per cent of all skin fungal infections, commonly referred to as ringworm.

You can help prevent athlete's foot by keeping your feet - and your bath or shower area - clean and dry. Avoid walking barefoot in community areas. Always wear clean socks and don't wear the same shoes two days in a row, they need time to dry out.

Athlete's foot is caused by a fungus that is very common on shower and lockerroom floors. The best way to avoid it is by drying your feet completely before putting on socks and shoes. Be especially careful to dry between the toes. Several over-the-counter treatments are available, including powders to keep the feet dry. Choose footwear that "breathes" and allow shoes to air out a day between wearings if possible. Choose socks that wick moisture away from the feet.

Athlete's foot is a term that refers to a fungal infection of the skin. This is another condition acquired by the skin contacting a surface where fungus or yeast is present. A contagious condition -- it can appear as irritated, red, peeling patches of skin that are itchy or burning, often with a foul odor. Good foot hygiene plus protecting feet from contact surfaces that is the best way to prevent Athlete's foot. Treatment is by prescribed medication.

We all have one or more of the fungi that can cause athlete's foot on our bodies. They feed on dead skin cells and are usually harmless. Athlete's foot is a common condition in young people and adults. The fungi love warm, moist places with the result they are primarily a problem for people who wear tight-fitting trainers or don't dry their feet properly. The condition is contagious. It can be spread by direct skin-to-skin contact and indirectly through towels, shoes, floors, etc.

A red itchy rash in the spaces between the toes (often between the 4th and 5th toes initially) and possibly small pustules.

Wash the feet every day and allow them to dry properly before putting on shoes and socks. You should use a separate towel to dry your feet. To avoid passing the infection on you should not share these towels with anyone else. Wear socks made of cotton or wool, and change them at least twice a day or when they have become damp.

The condition can sometimes disappear simply through being exposed to fresh air, but medical treatment is usually required.

MY Chan, B. Pharm., is a practising community pharmacist at Constant Pharmacy. She can be reached at munyee@constant.com.my A : You should discuss whether it is right for you with your doctor and your pharmacist can provide important information. Family planning pills or Oral Contraceptives are not for every women. It you have any of the following conditions, the pill might not be right for you:

The fungus is very contagious. We shed skin all the time which usually ends up on the floor. If someone walks on the dead skin, they could be infected with the fungus.

Athlete's foot can be treated locally with antifungal creams, sprays, liquids and powders that are available from pharmacists without a prescription. Imidazole antifungals are most effective and include clotrimazole (eg Canesten AF) and miconazole (eg Daktarin). Other antifungals include zinc undecenoate (Mycota), terbinafine (Lamisil AT) and tolnaftate (Mycil).

Athlete's Foot is a fungal infection that usually affects the foot between toes or on the sole. It can cause cracking, burning, itching, redness or scaling (dry peeling skin).

Athlete's foot is a common condition in young people and adults. The fungi love warm, moist places and the condition is primarily a problem for people who wear tight-fitting trainers or don't dry their feet properly. Treatment is straight forward and most pharmacists should be able give advice on appropriate treatment.

A : The initial treatment for a simple case of athlete's foot is usually a tropical antifungal cream, which may come in as fungistatic or fungicidal alone or combined with steroids for symptoms like itch, rashes and inflammation. Consult your pharmacist to get the right regimen for your case. There are also antifungal medication to be taken orally, which you need the doctor's advice before using them.

Heal Athlete's Foot will completely eliminate the condition. However, the fungus reproduces itself by spores which are kept in ideal conditions. Dead skin is constantly being shed and some of that dead skin will be present in the socks you have worn and washing does not get rid of them. It is advisable to get rid of your socks. We also suggest that you wrap your shoes in a plastic bag and place them in the refrigerator for 12 hours.

Athlete's foot (tinea pedis) is a condition caused by a contagious foot fungus that most often affects skin between the toes or on the bottoms of the feet. Symptoms such as itching, burning, red, dry, cracked, blistered and oozing skin are signs of athlete's foot. If you're prone to athlete's foot, wash and dry feet thoroughly on a daily basis and apply a foot spray such as Dr. Scholl's? Foot Spray Powder to absorb perspiration.