Summer calls for beach outings, strolls in flip-flops, and time outside enjoying the warm weather. The last thing anyone wants to deal with during the summer is athlete’s foot, as it will only take away from the fun of summer.
To help you steer clear of athlete’s foot this summer, our team of expert podiatrists at Physicians Footcare has put together a list of the top five tips for preventing athlete’s foot. By following these recommendations, you can ensure that your feet remain healthy throughout the season, allowing you to fully savor every moment of summer!
Causes of Athlete’s Foot
Athlete’s foot is a fungal skin infection affecting those whose feet become sweaty in tightly fitting shoes. The infection usually begins between the toes and causes cracking, peeling, and redness. As the condition spreads you may feel itchiness and irritation after removing socks and shoes.
Athlete’s foot is contagious and can spread through personal contact or contact with contaminated surfaces. To help minimize the spread, foot doctors recommend familiarizing yourself with the infection's common risk factors:
- If you frequently wear tight-fitting footwear
- Sweating heavily during physical exercise and day-to-day activities
- Sharing linens, towels, shoes, or rugs with someone who has athlete’s foot
- Walking barefoot in areas where infections spread such as locker rooms, communal showers, and pool decks.
If left alone, athlete’s foot can spread to other parts of the body or lead to other bacterial infections. To prevent the condition from affecting your summer plans, follow our podiatrist's essential prevention tips.
Athlete’s Foot Prevention Methods
If you have had athlete’s foot in the past the inflection may reoccur. Follow these prevention methods to minimize the spread and stop the infection from developing in the first place.
Practice Good Foot Hygiene
Keeping your feet clean is essential to any foot care routine, but it is even more important when working to prevent infection. Podiatrists recommend using warm soapy water to clean the feet and toes. Once your feet are clean be sure to thoroughly dry your feet especially in between your toes, as athlete's foot develops in moist areas.
Foot doctors also recommend applying a medicated foot powder once your feet are thoroughly washed and dried. Podiatrists specifically recommend Gold Bond, Tinactin, Lotrimin AF, and Zeasorb foot powders.
Wear Summer-Friendly Footwear
To prevent this infection this summer make an effort to wear breathable footwear. Shoes made from plastic and vinyl hold onto moisture and make the feet warm and sweaty.
Podiatrists recommend wearing supportive sandals that will air your feet out and keep them dry and cool to prevent sweating. We also suggest alternating your chosen footwear throughout the week. This will allow your shoes to dry and air out after each use.
Keep Your Shoes To Yourself
Athlete’s foot can spread through physical contact or contaminated surfaces, which makes sharing shoes much more risky. So to avoid the condition it's best to keep your shoes, socks, linens, and towels to yourself.
Clean and Take Off Your Gym Shoes
After the gym or activity where you worked up a sweat, it is important to change out of your shoes especially if you are not able to shower immediately after. You should also change out of your sweat socks, and replace them with a clean dry pair or opt for a pair of breathable sandals.
It is also a good idea to clean and disinfect your gym shoes after each use if you are prone to athlete’s foot. Foot doctors recommend using soapy wash clothes or disinfectant spray to clean your shoes after a sweaty workout. Do not forget to thoroughly dry your shoes after cleaning!
Do Not Go Barefoot
In the summertime, it is tempting to go barefoot by the pool, in the locker room, at the spa, or even in a hotel bathroom. To minimize contact with contaminated surfaces this summer we suggest wearing slippers, flip-flops, or water shoes rather than going barefoot in public places. The key to preventing athlete’s foot is understanding risks, and public spaces will be the most risky this summer.
See a Podiatrist at the First Sign of Athlete’s Foot
As the weather warms up, it's important to keep an eye out for the early signs of athlete's foot, such as itching, redness, and flaking skin between the toes. If you notice any of these symptoms, it's crucial to contact your podiatrist right away to prevent the condition from disrupting your summer activities. With the increased sweat and moisture in your shoes during the summer months, the risk of developing athlete's foot is higher, so taking preventive measures is key to enjoying a healthy and fun summer.
Enjoy your summer without the hassle of athlete’s foot, by making an appointment with the team of expert podiatrists at Physicians Footcare. Whether you are looking to learn more about the risks and preventative measures for this condition or are concerned about your general foot health, our team can help. Schedule an appointment with our team today.
