For those with athlete’s foot— an infection characterized by a scaly rash— the itching, stinging, or burning can be unbearable. Whether your feet are in enclosed shoes or not, the irritation around your toes lasts. Even when treated with over-the-counter medication, the rash often comes back.
Known as a highly contagious fungal infection, athlete’s foot can be spread through contaminated floors or exposed materials such as towels and clothing. Luckily, there are certain things you can do, or even not do, to avoid contraction.
We’re here to help you discover how to prevent athlete’s foot.
How Can You Prevent Athlete’s Foot?
Since athlete’s foot is a fungal infection, it’s important to remember that it is contagious. If you believe you already have athlete’s foot, see your podiatrist for treatment to prevent spreading it to others.
Without further ado, here are the steps to preventing athlete’s foot:
1. Avoid Tight Shoes
Do you remember “growing” bacteria and fungus in petri dishes in your high school science class? Those enclosed dishes were highly moisturized, warm chambers— the perfect environments for breeding fungal infections.
Tight and unbreathable shoes are similar to petri dishes in many ways. Once you contract the infection, the hot, damp environment in your sneakers or boots traps the fungus and can cause it to grow.
Picking Good Shoes for Athlete’s Foot
Wearing shoes made with more porous fabrics like canvas, or, believe it or not, leather, could increase circulation in your shoes. Be mindful to avoid wearing tight, enclosed shoes for long hours. When you are home, take off your socks while lounging to allow them to breathe.
2. Keep Your Feet Dry
Those prone to sweaty feet should be more mindful, as that extra moisture trapped in your socks and shoes helps athlete’s foot spread. Check your feet during your daily foot care routine for signs of infection, such as irritation and dry, flaky skin.
Protect your feet with dry agents like baking soda, baby powder, or cornstarch. Smooth them over your feet before putting on your socks and lightly line the inside of your shoes. Try wearing fresh socks daily and alternate your shoes regularly so your recently worn pairs have time to dry.
3. Don’t Share Towels & Use Sprays for Athlete’s Foot
Athlete’s foot is associated with weeping and oozing rashes, which make the fungal infection highly contagious.
If someone in your family or whom you live with has this condition, be on guard. Those with itchy rashes are often tempted to pick at them and can spread the rash to their hands and other parts of their body. That means, not only should you never share shoes and bathroom towels, but communal blankets, carpets, and other porous areas are fair game for the fungus to live.
When walking around your home, be sure to wear protective footwear, wash your hands often, and don’t be shy with the antifungal spray. If using shared showers or baths, make sure to clean them before each use, and when washing your own feet, make sure you use warm water and soap between your toes.
4. Wear Good Shoes for Athlete’s Foot Prevention (Especially in Public Spaces)
This fungal infection often spreads like wildfire in public, moist areas, such as community swimming pools, saunas, locker rooms, and showers.
If you’re rinsing off at the gym, make sure you bring enclosed rubber shoes, as sometimes even flip-flops won’t protect you. Crocs are a great choice for athlete’s foot prevention, as they have holes to allow for your feet to breathe, but are still relatively enclosed. Or, opt to wear mesh water shoes.
5. Know Your Rash: Athlete’s Foot vs. Chilblains
It’s easy to mistake athlete’s foot for other conditions, as it’s closely related to other fungal infections such as ringworm. There are conditions such as COVID toes and chilblains that can look and feel like you have a fungal infection.
For example, chilblains can present as a rash on your feet, and it may take up to three weeks before it clears up. Without a professional opinion, you may not be treating the right condition.
Get the Strongest Treatment for Athlete’s Foot
Our team at Foot & Ankle Group is here to help properly diagnose and treat athlete’s foot and any other foot and ankle issues you may be facing. For those with severe flare-ups, we strive to get you in on the same day! Schedule an appointment with Foot & Ankle Group today.
Categorized in: Blog
Comments are closed