Little red bumps around the toe cuticle are commonly caused by athlete's foot. Symptoms include red bumps, itching, burning and cracked skin around the toes. The infection can spread to the toenails, causing crumbling and irritation. Athlete's foot is easily treatable with over-the-counter or prescription medications.
Causes
Fungi called dermatophythes cause athlete's foot. This micro-organism is normally present on the skin. However, when the skin gets moist and wet, the fungi grow out of control, resulting in athlete's foot. Athlete's foot is also highly contagious. It spreads through contact with infected surfaces and personal items, such as towels or socks.
Over-the-Counter Treatment
Use over-the-counter medications to treat athlete's foot. Butenafine, miconazole and tolnaftate are used to treat this condition. Wash and dry the area thoroughly before applying the medication. Use medicated powders as well to keep feet dry, recommends MayoClinic.com. Apply products as directed and contact your doctor if bumps around the big toe cuticle don't get better within two weeks.
Prescription Treatments
Use prescription treatments for bumps that don't respond to nonprescription antifungal medications. Use topical medications, such as clotrimazole and miconazole. Another option is oral prescription medications, such as itraconazole and fluconazole. Oral medications are used for infections that don't respond to topical treatments.
Wet dressings and compresses are recommended by some doctors to treat athlete's foot. Consult your doctor if the infection doesn't resolve within four weeks of prescription treatment, recommends MayoClinic.com.
Prevention
Avoid future athlete's foot infections by keeping the feet dry, especially between the toes. Change your socks regularly to prevent moisture buildup. Resist the urge to wear the same pair of shoes daily. It doesn't allow shoes to dry out, creating a favorable environment for fungi. Also, avoid sharing shoes, which spreads athlete's foot. When visiting public places, wear shoes to avoid coming in contact with infected surfaces.
Warnings
Watch for secondary infections, which may occur with athlete's foot. Infections that get out of control cause tissue breakdown. As a result, skin gets eroded and irritated between the toes. Contact your doctor right away if you suspect a secondary infection. Also, discuss current medications taken with your doctor. Prescription antifungal medications interact with some drugs, such as Warfarin, according to MayoClinic.com.
