Water fleas or tinea pedis is a fungal infection of the skin of the feet. This fungal infection usually starts between the toes and then spreads to all areas of the foot. This condition can occur in all age groups.
Water fleas are also known as athlete's foot or ringworm of the feet. Water fleas are prone to occur on feet that are often wet or damp from sweating or wearing tight shoes. Complaints that are usually felt when someone has water fleas are leg skin that feels itchy, scaly, and red.
Water fleas can be treated with antifungal drugs. However, this condition can reappear if the precipitating factor, such as feet that are often damp and wet, is not addressed.
Causes of Water Fleas
Water fleas are most often caused by fungal infections of the group dermatophytes. Infections of this group of fungi can also cause tinea cruris and ringworm. Several types of mushrooms from the group dermatophytes which can cause tinea pedis is Tricophyton rubrum, Tricophyton interdigitale, and Epidermophyton floccosum.
Water fleas can be contagious, and transmission can occur through direct contact with people with water fleas or contact with environments and objects contaminated with fungi, such as towels, floors, shoes, or clothing.
There are several factors that can increase a person's risk of getting water fleas, namely:
- Living in an urban area that is densely populated and has hot weather
- Doing activities in public places barefoot, such as public swimming pools or public bathrooms
- Have sweaty feet
- Have sores on the skin or toenails
- Have or frequently share personal items, such as socks, shoes, or towels, with people with water fleas
- Using shoes that are too tight
- Using wet socks
- Have a habit of rarely changing socks
Water fleas can attack all age groups and genders. However, this skin disease on the feet is more easily experienced by people with conditions of a weak immune system, such as people with diabetes or HIV/AIDS.
Symptoms of Water Flea
Water fleas are ringworm or fungal infections that occur on the skin of the feet. Water fleas generally develop from between the toes and spread to other areas of the skin of the feet, such as the nails, soles, back, and sides of the feet. This fungal infection can also spread to areas around the feet, such as the skin in the groin.
Water fleas will be characterized by the appearance of a red, scaly, and itchy rash on the skin of the feet. The itching will get worse when the sufferer takes off socks or shoes. In some cases, water fleas can also cause foot odor, sores on the feet, and skin that looks blistered.
In addition, water fleas can also cause complaints in the form of:
- Leg skin is burning
- Dry foot skin
- Cracked foot skin
- Exfoliated foot skin
- Reddish skin between the toes and soles
Fungal infections in tinea pedis can also spread to the nails and cause nail fungus or onychomycosis. Fungal infections of the nails will be characterized by nails that look pale or discolored, thickened with an uneven surface, and brittle.
When to go to the doctor
Do an examination to the doctor if you experience the complaints and symptoms mentioned above, especially if the complaints do not improve.
If you have diabetes or have a weakened immune system, see your doctor if you develop a rash on your feet. Examination and treatment need to be done immediately, because in these conditions it is susceptible to secondary infections that can endanger the sufferer.
You also need to immediately consult a doctor if you see a secondary infection of the skin on your feet. This condition can be characterized by widespread redness of the skin accompanied by the appearance of swelling, pain, and discharge.
Water fleas diagnosis
To diagnose water fleas, the doctor will ask questions about the symptoms and complaints experienced, medical history, and the patient's daily habits. Next, an examination will be carried out by looking at the condition of the feet.
Usually, tinea pedis can be diagnosed after a question and answer session and a direct examination of the feet. However, to determine the type of fungus, the doctor may perform several types of supporting examinations, such as:
- KOH Pemeriksaan checkThis examination is done by taking a skin sample through the scraping method. This sample is then examined under a microscope with the help of potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution to see the type of fungus.
- Mushroom culture testIn some conditions, a fungal culture is needed to identify more specifically the type of fungus that grows and infects the skin. This test is done by taking a skin sample, then placing it in a certain medium to see if there is fungus growing on that medium.
Water Flea Treatment
Treatment aims to relieve infection and prevent the spread and recurrence of infection. Keep in mind, however, that treatment for yeast infections generally takes up to several weeks.
Water fleas can be treated using topical antifungal drugs (which are applied directly to the infected skin) or orally (by mouth). Some types of antifungals that can be used to treat water fleas are:
- Miconazole
- Econazole
- Clotrimazole
- Terbinafine
- Ketoconazole
- Ciclopirox
- Itraconazole
- Fluconazole
- Naftifine
- Tolnaftate
The type of drug, dosage, and method of use will be adjusted to the condition and severity of the water fleas experienced by the patient. Generally, the doctor will start treatment with a topical medication. If there is no improvement with this method, treatment can be continued with oral antifungal drugs.
In addition, several types of medicine to reduce itching, dry skin, or scaly, may be given by a doctor. If a secondary infection occurs, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics.
Keep in mind, treatment needs to be continued until it is complete or has been declared cured by a doctor. Do not stop treatment carelessly even though the symptoms have improved.
In addition to carrying out treatment regularly and thoroughly, people with water fleas also need to adopt new habits that can reduce the risk of water fleas, such as keeping the feet moist, changing socks regularly, choosing shoes or footwear that are comfortable and in accordance with the size of the foot. .
Water fleas are a disease that can be cured. However, in people with water fleas who also have other diseases, such as diabetes or other conditions that cause a weakened immune system, more monitoring is sometimes needed to prevent complications.
Complications of water fleas
Although rare, in some serious cases, water fleas can cause complications such as:
- The fungal infection spreads to the skin in other areas of the body, such as the hands, stomach, and groin
- Secondary infections of the skin, and one of them is a bacterial infection, such as cellulitis
Water Flea Prevention
To prevent the occurrence of water fleas on the feet, you can take the following preventive steps:
- Keep feet clean, dry and not damp
- Change socks regularly, especially if they feel wet
- Use comfortable footwear, according to the size of the foot (not too tight), and have good air circulation
- Always use footwear when doing activities in a room or public facility
- Don't share shoes, socks or towels with other people