7 Tips for Avoiding Athlete’s Foot
At NY Foot Health, we find that many patients are surprised to learn that there are just as many cases of athlete’s foot in the fall as during the summer months. The reason? Although days at the community pool and public changing areas for beaches and lakes are over, the cooler weather causes many patients to move their fitness routines inside. Gyms and health clubs have the same ideal conditions for breeding bacterial and fungal infections: warm, moist areas with lots of bare foot traffic.
The good news, however, is that the vast majority of cases of athlete’s foot and other fungal infections can be prevented with a few simple precautions.
Pack shower shoes in your gym bag. Athlete’s foot and other similar types of infections are transmitted by direct contact. Bacteria and fungi are lurking on the floor of the locker room and in the showers. If you keep your feet covered, you won’t come in contact with them.
Don’t use another person’s towel. Ditto for soap, nail clippers, emery boards and any other item that is used on another person’s feet or toenails.
Wash your feet every day with soap and water.
Dry your feet completely after every shower. Moisture left between your toes makes the perfect starting point for athlete’s foot.
Never wear the same pair of socks two days in a row. It’s also a good idea to alternate your footwear to give shoes a chance to air and dry out completely between uses.
If your feet sweat profusely, keep an extra pair of socks in your drawer at work or in your backpack. Change as soon as you notice your feet feel damp. Look for socks made of material that wicks moisture away from your skin.
Use a talcum or anti-fungal powder each morning to help keep feet dry.
Athlete’s foot is not only annoying. If not treated promptly it can spread to toenails and other parts of your body and also lead to an infection. Make an appointment with your podiatrist if you have abnormally red, itching or scaly skin. Need to find a podiatrist in your area? Consult our online directory. Contact us for more information on keep your feet healthy.