Pink Prescriptions - September 2025
Battling the Hidden Foes... On Your Skin and Between Your Toes
September 2025 Issue — Pink Prescriptions
Battling the Hidden Foes...
On Your Skin and Between Your Toes
Fungal infections are more common than many realize—and often more stubborn. While they may not always pose a serious threat to overall health, conditions like toenail fungus, ringworm, jock itch, and athlete’s foot can cause persistent discomfort, embarrassment, and frustration.
That’s why we asked members of our local medical community to explain the key differences and similarities between these fungal culprits, what causes them, why they spread so easily, and why they’re so predominant in the Lowcountry. Don’t let these common infections take control—knowledge is the first step toward clear skin and nails.
By Dr. Mark A. Bechtel | Beaufort Memorial Express Care & Occupational Health
Ringworm
What is it?
Despite its name, “ringworm” actually doesn’t have anything to do with worms. It’s a fungal skin infection that affects both animals and humans, and gets its name from the circular shape of the associated rash.
Ringworm, or Tinea, can affect different areas of your body, including your arms and legs, hands, nails, feet, scalp, groin or face. Ringworm of the feet is familiarly referred to as athlete’s foot. A ringworm infection of the groin or genitals is commonly called jock itch.
Ringworm is extremely common, contagious, and can affect individuals of all ages. Typically spread through direct contact with an infected person or animal (dogs, cats, rabbits or rodents), infected soil or infected objects (towels, clothing, combs, brushes, etc.). Your risk for infection is higher if you live in a warm, humid climate, often share combs or towels, play contact sports (such as wrestling), have a condition that disrupts your skin or have a weakened immune system.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms usually appear around four to 14 days after initial contact. The most notable symptom of ringworm is a rounded or oval rash, often appearing pink or red on lighter skin, and gray or brown on darker skin, that grows in size or spreads to other parts of the body. This itchy rash often has slightly raised, scaly edges and may contain bumps filled with clear fluid.
Athlete’s foot can result in scaly skin between the toes or on the sole of the foot, itching, foul odor and skin that has turned white or started peeling. Ringworm on the scalp or beard area can cause hair loss, redness, rawness, and large patches of thick, dried skin.
Ringworm on the fingernails and toenails causes them to grow thick and break easily, often turning white, brown or yellow.
Can I prevent it Ringworm?
To prevent contracting the infection, practice good hygiene. Wash your hands frequently, especially after touching animals or working out at a gym and avoid sharing personal items like combs or towels. At the gym, disinfect any equipment before and after using it.
How do I get rid of it?
Treatment for ringworm depends on the severity of the infection, as well as where on the body it is located. Thankfully, there are over-the-counter antifungal treatments that can easily clear up a ringworm infection. These treatments can be in the form of sprays, creams, powders or gels. Typically, a ringworm infection treated with over-the-counter medication will clear up in two to three weeks.
Do I need to see my doctor for it?
If the infection does not improve at all within seven days of using over-the-counter treatments or is worsening, see a medical provider, as you may need a prescription medication. Infections on your scalp, fingernails or beard often do not respond to over-the-counter medications.
Your primary or urgent care provider can prescribe oral medications for these infections, which should be cleared up in two to three months.
Mark A. Bechtel, D.O., is a board-certified osteopathic family medicine physician who sees patients at Beaufort Memorial Express Care & Occupational Health in Port Royal, treating acute, non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries. 843-524-3344; 1680 Ribaut Road, Port Royal, SC
By Rafael Sanchez, M.D. | Prestige Primary Care
Athlete’s Foot and Jock Itch
What is it?
Jock itch and athlete’s foot are two common and irritating fungal infections that thrive in warm, sweaty areas of the body. Jock itch usually shows up around the groin, inner thighs, or buttocks, while athlete’s foot affects the feet—especially between the toes. Despite the names, you don’t have to be an athlete to get them. These infections spread easily through contact with contaminated surfaces, clothing, towels, or even skin-to-skin contact, especially in places like locker rooms or gyms.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of jock itch include a red, itchy rash that may have a ring-shaped appearance with raised edges. It can cause burning, chafing, or general discomfort. Athlete’s foot often starts with itching, peeling, or cracking between the toes, and may include blisters, dry patches, or thickened toenails if it spreads.
Can I prevent it Athlete’s Foot and Jock Itch?
Both athlete’s foot and jock itch are easy to prevent with good hygiene. Make sure to keep your skin clean and dry—especially after sweating. Change out of wet bathing suits and sweaty clothes and socks quickly, wear breathable underwear and shoes, avoid walking barefoot in public showers or locker rooms, and never share towels, socks, or shoes with others.
Antifungal powders or sprays can help if you’re prone to getting infections. If you do get an infection, most mild cases can be treated at home. Over-the-counter antifungal creams or sprays—like Lotrimin®, Tinactin®, or Lamisil®—are usually effective. Apply as directed and continue using them for at least a week after symptoms disappear to keep the fungus from coming back. Be sure to wash the area daily, dry thoroughly, and keep your clothes, towels, and bedding clean.
You should see a doctor if the rash doesn’t improve within two weeks, gets worse, becomes painful, or if you have a condition like diabetes or a weakened immune system. In those cases, you might need a prescription-strength antifungal.
In short, jock itch and athlete’s foot are nothing to be embarrassed about. With the right care and a little prevention, you can treat them easily and keep your skin healthy and comfortable.
Board-certified adult internal medicine and aesthetics specialist Rafael D. Sanchez, M.D. is an exceptional provider for all aspects of routine health and wellness care, specializing in diabetes management and prevention. A graduate of Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, NC, Dr. Sanchez completed two residencies in internal medicine and pediatrics. Prestige Primary Care, located at 25 Hospital Center Blvd, Ste 309, HHI, offers the full scope of family medicine/primary care, with a strong focus on preventive health services. Prestige Primary Care, 25 Hospital Center Blvd, Suite 309, HHI. To schedule an appointment, call 843-227-4595.
By Erica Evans, D.P.M. | Physicians Footcare & Novant Health
Toenail Fungus
What is it?
Toenail fungus, or onychomycosis, is an infection underneath the surface of the nail caused by fungi. Toenails are ten times more commonly infected than fingernails. The occlusive nature of footgear, trauma to the toenails, and decreased circulation to the toenail bed may account for the chronicity of the condition.
What are the symptoms?
With a fungal infection, the involved toenails typically develop changes in color and/or thickness. Debris may also collect beneath the nail plate resulting in thicker toenails that are difficult to trim and can become painful when walking and wearing shoes.
Not all color changes and thickening of a toenail is due to fungal infections. These changes can also occur following trauma to the toenails. In addition, bunions, hammertoes, and arthritis can contribute to or place an individual at a higher risk for developing these changes in the toenails.
How can I prevent it?
Toenail fungus is often ignored because the infection can be present for years without any symptoms or pain. Because it is difficult to avoid contact with microscopic organisms like fungi, toenails are especially vulnerable around damp areas where you are likely to be walking barefoot. Those who suffer from chronic diseases such as diabetes, circulatory problems, or immune-deficiency conditions are especially prone to fungal nails. Regular inspection of the feet and toes is the first line of defense. Clean and dry feet is the best way to resist disease: Wash your feet with soap and water and dry thoroughly; wear shower shoes, if possible, in public areas; change shoes and socks more than once daily; and disinfect your toenail clippers and other home pedicure instruments.
How can I get rid of it?
Typically, a physician will send a nail sample for a lab test to identify the fungal organisms and guide a treatment plan, which can include prescribing topical or oral medications. In some cases, surgical treatment may be warranted, to either temporarily or permanently remove an infected nail to permit direct application of a topical antifungal and aid in healing. These procedures are typically performed in the office under local anesthetic, and most patients are able to walk out and return to activities.
When do I need to see a doctor for Toenail Fungus?
Seeking treatment is always the best practice, as trying to solve the infection without the advice of a qualified podiatrist or other medical professional can lead to additional problems. As a podiatrist who specializes in the foot and ankle, we are able to evaluate all aspects and pathology associated with the foot and ankle.
Dr. Erica Evans is an experienced foot and ankle surgeon, dedicated to providing comprehensive foot and ankle care. She is board certified in both foot surgery and reconstructive rearfoot and ankle surgery by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery (ABFAS). At Physicians Footcare, she strives to provide the highest standard of care for each of her patients. She specializes in the entirety of pathology associated with the foot and ankle, including foot surgery, sports medicine injuries, reconstructive surgery of the rearfoot and ankle, ankle arthroscopy, and trauma/fracture care. Dr. Evans is taking new patients – Call (843) 524-7246 to schedule an appointment.