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The last thing you want this summer is to develop an annoying foot fungus such as athlete's foot. While you are swimming or walking around the beach it is important to take caution and protect your feet. Fungus thrives in damp areas such as swimming pools, showers, and locker rooms. Athletes are especially prone to this fungal infection due to the nature of sweaty feet and exposure to fungus from locker rooms. What is Athlete's Foot? Athlete's foot is a rash on the skin of the foot, and is the most common fungal skin infection. It is caused by a fungus that grows on or in the top layer of your skin. Fungus grows best in warm, wet places, such as the area between your toes and spreads easily. You can get athlete's foot by touching the toes or feet of a person who has it. Most often, however, people get it by walking barefoot on contaminated surfaces near swimming pools or in locker rooms. The signs and symptoms of athlete's foot can be numerous, although you probably won't experience all of them. Common signs and symptoms include: * Itching, stinging and burning between your toes or on the soles of your feet
* Itchy blisters
* Cracking and peeling skin, especially between your toes and on the soles of your feet
* Excessive dryness of the skin on the bottoms or sides of the feet
* Toenails that are thick, crumbly, ragged, discolored or pulling away from the nail bed Athlete's foot thrives in thick, tight shoes that squeeze your toes together and create warm, moist areas between them. Damp socks and shoes, in combination with warm, humid conditions also favor the growth of fungus. It can be spread by contact with an infected person or with contact with contaminated surfaces, such as towels, floors and shoes. Treatment For treatment, it is important to keep the infected area clean and dry, making it less suitable for athlete's foot fungus to grow. Also, buy shoes that are leather or another breathable material. Materials such as vinyl don't breathe and cause your feet to remain moist, providing an excellent area for the fungus to breed. In addition, absorbent socks like cotton that keep water away from your feet may help as well.
Powders, especially those that are medicated, can help to keep your feet dry as well. The use of anti-fungal creams and washes may also help eliminate your athlete's foot.
Prevention
While the summer is filled with days at the pool and playing sports, it is important to take extra steps in preventing athlete's foot. It is not easy to prevent athlete's foot because it is usually contracted in dressing rooms, showers, and swimming pool locker rooms where bare feet come in contact with the fungus. You can do more to prevent infection by practicing proper foot hygiene. Some other tips include: * Avoid walking barefoot and use shower shoes
* Reduce perspiration by using powders
* Wear light and airy shoes
* Wear socks that keep your feet dry, and change them frequently if you perspire heavily If you have a rash on your foot that doesn't improve or worsens after you have followed home and lifestyle remedies, contact your podiatrist in Memphis for further treatment and diagnosis. Your Memphis podiatrist can develop an appropriate treatment plan for your ailments.
Dr. Nathan Lucas of Advanced Foot and Ankle Care of Memphis, LLC is a leading Memphis, TN podiatrist. He is a board certified foot surgeon specializing in reconstructive, revisional and cosmetic foot and ankle surgery. Services include the treatment of heel pain, fungal toenails and CoolTouch in Memphis.
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