Athletes Foot???

Updated on June 05, 2008
K.C. asks from Blue Springs, MO
14 answers

To start off, my sons feet sweat horribly when he wears tennis shoes for very long. They've always done that (my husband and I have the same problem). This morning when I was getting ready to put socks on him I noticed that between both of his big toes the skin was bright red. It was obviously very sore because he started whaling right away. I left his socks off all day since it was warm, only putting them on when he needed to put shoes on.
We went and bought him lighter weight socks since its getting warm and sandles to wear when we need to make a quick run.
Is it possible that he has athletes foot?? We washed his feet in luke-warm soapy water(since they were stinky) and I happened to have some Lotrimin so I put some of that between his toes. He goes to the doc next week for his 15 month check up, so I guess we'll find out for sure then. Just wondering if anyone has had a similar problem with a child this young?

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

It is confirmed that my little guy has, just as I suspected Athlete's foot. YUCK! His doctor said we've been doing exactly what we should be. Using lotrimin cream once a day and suggested using spray deoderant(which turns off sweat glands) when he'll be wearing sock/shoes for long periods of time! Thanks for all your advice!

Featured Answers

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.G.

answers from Oklahoma City on

My son also had that problem. The doctor told me to soak his feet with antibacterial soap and dry them off compeletely, and then we could use either athlete's foot cream or any yeast infection cream. Hope this helps!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.W.

answers from Oklahoma City on

My 3.5 yr old son and I have the same problem. Make sure you change socks often (preferably cotton, not nylon blend - they're more absorbent). The other advice you've received works well too. Just thought I'd throw in my little tidbit.

Good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.T.

answers from Tulsa on

My 5 year old had a problem like this last year in September. It turned out to be an allergy to the bleach in his socks and underwear. The medication I used on him was the same that we could use on yeast infections.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.D.

answers from Springfield on

It could be athlete's foot, but it could also be a skin allergy to the rubber/plastic in his shoes. My brother and I had this problem when we were little, and could only wear all leather shoes.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

I do not know if it works, but I saw on a day time show they were speaking with a nurse and she said that you can soak your feet like 15 minutes per day for 3 - 4xs per week for a couple of weeks and that will do the trick to get rid of it.

I just did not know if any of the medicine would be for his age that is for athletes foot.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.H.

answers from Oklahoma City on

Hi K., I know this is quite a way from the initial question, but wanted to let you know that tea tree oil is a natural antifungal, and you could use it as preventative maintenance, just apply with cottonball or q-tip (I think it actually suffocates the fungis with its odor) :} but you get use to it. And its a lot cheaper than the chemical-based alternatives. Hope this helps.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.N.

answers from Kansas City on

K.,

My daughter gets red flaky patches between her toes that itch as well. I have discovered that neosporin and baby powder clean the problem up. I have also put baby powder or Gold Bond powder in her shoes before and let them air out. She has the problem with closed toe sandles in the summer as well. Hope this helps.

J.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.B.

answers from Peoria on

Another option is to switch your cleaning products to non toxic. They seem to be a culprit for all sorts of stuff like asthma and exema. And it's more than just topically. The toxins are absorbed into the bloodstream. Anyway, We have used GET CLEAN, the products that Dr. Oz talked about on Oprah and what a difference in so many areas ( including my pocketbook) www.shaklee.net/peoria

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.B.

answers from St. Louis on

My father, myself, 2 of my boys and my grandson all have this problem. We wear light-weight ALL Cotton socks and Leather shoes. This stops the drying and chafing for the most part. We also go without shoes as much as possible. Also using powder(baby or Gold Bond) when we have extended periods we have to wear shoes helps absorb the moisture from sweat and keeps the chafing down.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

N.C.

answers from Oklahoma City on

Hi K.~
When I was younger I had the same problem!! I tried the athlete's foot cream but it never worked so they decided that it was an allergy to the glue in tennis shoes. So for years I limited the time I wore tennis shoes. Well when I got pregnant, my OB/GYN looked into it and found out that I have strep everywhere which was causing sores on my feet which is easily treated with bacterial cream. So it could be numerous things. I would definately ask your doctor and be sure to try different things!! Hope this helps!!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.H.

answers from Tulsa on

I would make sure that you dry in between his toes very well after they get wet and let them air out as much a possible throughout the day. At night I would put sox on him with some medication or A&D ointment. This worked for my son.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.B.

answers from Kansas City on

I would like to know that too. My son has been having stuff in between his toes...not dirt because he's always in socks and slippers or shoes, but it's stinky, no redness though. I have been trying to let him go barefoot occasionally, but it's been so cold and we have hardwood floors, so his feet get too cold. He doesn't go back to the doctor for 3 months. It hasn't seemed to bother him much, but he won't let me do much with his feet because he's so ticklish anyway. I'm anxious to see if anyone else has had anything like this and/or what you find out at the doctor next week.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.H.

answers from Kansas City on

try putting diaper rash ointment, like desitin or A&D, between his toes. if it helps to keep little diapered bottoms dry... it will help with damp sweaty feet. i wouldn't use powder it may get clumpy and wet and cause more irritation.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions