The difference between athlete's foot and dry feet is that athlete's foot is generally characterized by red, itchy scales on your feet while with dry feet the most common symptom is skin that cracks and flakes.
Athlete's foot is caused by fungus while dry feet is caused by the feet drying out due to dry air and not enough moisture.
The main difference between Athletes Foot and dry skin is the affected area.
Athletes' foot looks more like a rash, often identified as a ring of dry skin that is commonly located on either side of the foot, around the heel, and between the toes.
You should go to the doctor for athlete's foot if the athlete's foot does not clear up within a month or two with treatment or if the athlete's foot gets worse or if you develop a rash on your feet.
Although athlete's foot doesn't cause any serious problems in people who are otherwise healthy, it normally doesn't go away on its own.
If athlete's foot is left untreated, it can spread to a nail and cause a fungal nail infection.
The infection can spread to other areas of skin, such as the hands, but that rarely happens.
You can catch athletes foot through contact with an infected person or from contact with contaminated surfaces, such as towels, floors and shoes and by skin to skin contact.
When athlete's foot is untreated it will usually not go away on it's own if the fungus continues to grow on your foot.
With treatment athlete's foot should go away within 2 to 4 weeks although in some cases it may take a few months for the athlete's foot to go away depending on how severe the athlete's foot is.
If you touch athlete's foot the fungus can spread to your hands and then when you touch other parts of your body the fungus can then spread to those parts of the body.
Then if you touch someone else with your hand without washing your hands then the fungus for athlete's foot can spread to that person.
Vinegar is good for athlete's foot and foot fungus as vinegar has anti fungal properties which can kill the fungus causing athlete's foot or foot fungus.
You can add some vinegar to some water and then soak your feet in the vinegar and water soak for 30 minutes or so.
If you scratch athlete's foot then it can spread to your hands and when you touch other things such as your face then it can spread that way.
Or if you shake someone's hand hug them etc then the athlete's foot can spread to the other person because athletes foot is contagious.
Athlete's Foot and other foot fungus can live in carpet as well as your shoes and bedding for years if they are not cleaned and washed.
Athlete's foot does sometimes smell especially when it gets worse and you may notice a fungus smell along with a sweaty smell and foul foot odor when it mixes with sweat.
You can cure your athlete's foot naturally by pouring some hydrogen peroxide on rubbing alcohol on the athlete's foot.
Once you begin treatment with creams or other home remedies for athlete's foot then the athlete's foot should begin healing within a few weeks although it may take a month or two to see the athlete's foot go away.
The strongest treatment for athlete's foot at home is to use either some hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol to kill the fungus that causes athlete's foot.
Lamisil is also a good product to apply to your foot for athlete's foot.
Epsom salt is good for athletes foot as it helps draw out moisture which helps to get rid of athlete's foot and helps prevent the fungus from growing again.
The best home remedy for athletes foot is to soak your feet in some baking soda and water and apply some hydrogen peroxide to the foot to help cure the athletes foot.
Soaking your feet in some Epsom salt can also help with athletes foot.
To get rid athlete's foot fast you can pour some hydrogen peroxide on the athlete's foot.
Pour hydrogen peroxide directly onto the affected area.
Note that it may sting, and it should bubble, especially if you have open wounds.
The best cure for athlete's foot is to apply some athletes foot cream, anti fungal cream and anti fungal powder to the foot and also by washing your feet often.
In some cases you might need some prescription strength anti fungal cream although most over the counter anti fungal cream or athlete's foot cream should cure the athlete's foot.
Athlete's foot can be cured through use of anti fungal creams and anti fungal powders although it can take a few weeks for these things to work on the athlete's foot but with treatment is should begin going away within a few weeks.
Athlete's Foot does not go away on it's own and without treatment Athlete's foot can continue to get worse.
You may have to deal with Athlete's foot for a long time and it may go away and not return with treatment but it also may come back.
After applying athlete's foot cream you should leave your socks off for awhile unless you need to wear shoes and if so then put your socks on to protect your shoes from the Athlete's foot.
Athlete's foot is worse at night because of the complex function of our nerve fibers.
We only feel, notice and are completely irritated with the itching at night.
Athlete's Foot can live on sheets as well as clothing and the Athlete's Foot will live on the clothing and socks until they are washed in 140 F water.
You should wear socks to bed with athlete's foot as athlete's foot is very contagious and can spread from person to person so if you sleep in the same bed with a partner then you should always wear socks to prevent the spread of athlete's foot.
Also you should sprinkle some anti fungal powder in your socks before putting them on which can help get rid of the athlete's foot.
When you have athlete's foot your foot will have inflamed skin that might appear reddish, purplish or grayish, depending on your skin color.
Burning or stinging.
Blisters. Dry, scaly skin on the bottom of the foot that extends up the side.
Certain conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis, among other things, can also look very much like Athlete's foot.
Sometimes, if the skin barrier is compromised, a secondary bacterial infection can occur.
Athlete's foot is caused by fungi that normally live on the skin, hair, and nails called dermatophytes.
When the environment they live in gets warm and moist, they grow out of control and start to cause symptoms.
Athlete's foot is a fungal infection that causes scaly rash that may itch, sting or burn.
Athlete's foot can affect one or both feet.
Common signs and symptoms of athlete's foot are: Scaly, peeling or cracked skin between the toes.
Itchiness, especially right after taking off shoes and socks.
The most common causes of itchy feet are contact dermatitis, fungal infections like athlete's foot, or bug bites from scabies, mosquitos, or bed bugs.
These conditions may also cause a rash, blisters, or scaly skin.
Some ways to stop your feet from itching are by applying a lubricating, alcohol-free moisturizer to your skin during the day and before bed.
Apply cool, wet compresses to soothe the itch.
Take a bath in lukewarm water and colloidal oatmeal or baking soda.
Turn on a humidifier.
While fungal infections are the most common cause of itchy feet at night there are other skin conditions that can also cause the feet to itch and sometimes quite severely.
“Dermatitis” is a term commonly used to describe inflammatory reactions in the skin.
Some other ways to stop itchy feet include.
Apply a lubricating, alcohol-free moisturizer.
Apply a cool, wet compress.
Take a colloidal oatmeal bath.
Soak your feet in apple cider vinegar.
Anxiety and stress may also cause itchy feet.
When anxiety kicks in, your body's stress response can go into overdrive.
This can then affect your nervous system and cause sensory symptoms like burning or itching of the skin, with or without visible signs.
You can experience this sensation anywhere on your skin, including your arms, legs, face, and scalp.