Did you know that every time you work out and your feet get sweaty, you’re increasing your chances of getting athletes foot? Athletes foot is a fungal infection that thrives in moist, warm environments, which is why it’s so common among athletes.
In this article, we’ll discuss what athletes foot is, how you can treat it, and how chiropody can help.
What Is Athletes Foot?
Athletes foot is a fungus that lives in warm, wet environments. When your feet get sweaty after a workout (or just being in hot weather), the fungus can grow and spread, the symptoms include dry, itchy skin on the feet, redness and swelling, blisters, and cracked skin.
Common causes and symptoms
Athletes foot can be transmitted by direct contact with infected people or objects. It’s not contagious like the common cold or the flu, however, you can contract it by walking barefoot on the ground.
The fungus thrives in moist, warm environments, so athletes foot is very common among people that participate in a lot of athletics and sports, especially in locker rooms and showers.
There are a few different factors that can cause athletes foot, including:
– Poor hygiene.
– Frequent changes in footwear.
– Warm, damp environments.
– Infection from using wet socks.
How to treat athletes foot (aka tinea unguium)
The fungus needs warmth and moisture to thrive, so the best way to treat athletes’ feet is by keeping your feet dry.
I’m going to use the term “tinea unguiium” for a moment to help you understand what’s going on in your feet when you have athletes foot.
The word “tinea” means “little fungus” in Latin, while the word “unguiium” means “little toe”. So the word “tinea unguiium” means “little toe fungus”.
You likely won’t need any treatment if you have a small amount of tinea unguiium. But if you’re wearing wet, sweaty socks, it can start to grow. This is when you need to start treating it.
Athletes foot treatment depends on the type of athlete. It makes sense to treat your feet before and after a workout for those who workout regularly. The goal is to dry out the fungus and prevent it from spreading. You can clean your feet with water and a washcloth and dry them with a towel. In the shower, you can use a clean towel to wipe your feet off, or if you’re in the shower, you can use a clean sponge to wipe off your feet.
The best way to treat athletes’ feet is by using a product specifically designed to treat this infection.
There are many over-the-counter and prescription treatments for athletes foot. We’ll discuss two of the most common ways to treat your athletes foot, and the most effective ones:
Topical Treatments
Topical treatments are the most common treatment. They work by directly applying antifungal medicated creams to affected areas.
Over-the-counter
There are many over-the-counter antifungal creams and ointments available. They are easy to apply and only need to be applied once a day.
Preventing Athletes Foot
Use athletic socks
Wear athletic socks or moisture wicking socks in place of regular socks. This will keep your feet dry and help prevent your feet from getting sweaty during a workout.
Keep your feet clean
It’s important to keep your feet clean after a workout or in the heat. This will help prevent your feet from staying sweaty and damp which will make it harder for the fungus to form.
*This blog contains general information about medical conditions and is not advice. You must not rely upon the information in this blog as medical advice. Medical advice should always be sought from an appropriately qualified podiatrist such as ourselves.