3 Ways to Avoid Athlete’s Foot

Problems with feet, for some odd reason, are one of the most embarrassing things that people would rather not have other people find out about. Maybe it’s because our feet are so often bare around others, especially in the summer or during certain sports activities, but the fact of the matter is that these types of issues shouldn’t be so embarrassing that they go uncared for. One of the more “embarrassing” issues that go without treatment is a little thing called athlete’s foot. While this isn’t a condition that we wish upon anyone, it is one that needs to be treated fairly quickly.

At Allcare Foot & Ankle Center in Arlington, we do our best to provide patients with the tools and information that they need to avoid any serious foot conditions or injuries. That being said, we wanted to provide you with a few ways to make sure that athlete’s foot is something that you don’t have to worry about.

What is Athlete’s Foot

Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that usually starts between the toes, and makes it’s way across the foot. It can usually be identified because of the scaly rash that results in an awful burn and uncontrollable itch. This uncomfortable diagnosis spreads pretty quickly, so it’s best to get it treated as soon as possible if you do have it. Luckily, it should only take a few days up to a couple of weeks to clear up.

How to Avoid Athlete’s Foot

The best way to ensure this fungal infection doesn’t spread is by ensuring that you don’t contract it in the first place. Here are a few quick and easy ways to avoid it altogether.

Keep Your Feet Dry

If you participate in water sports or you don’t take the time to dry your feet off, then have a more likely chance of developing this awful fungal infection. You can avoid this by keeping your feet clean, and dry, after participating in any sort of water activity. This can be as simple as wearing shoes that breathe easy and socks when wearing shoes.

Wear Shoes When You Can

Swimming pool and public showers are one of the most common spaces for athlete’s foot to be picked up. If you frequent these types of areas, then the best way to avoid getting athlete’s foot is going to be by wearing shoes while walking through them. That can be something as simple as a flip-flop or a water shoe, but rinsing them off in between uses is another way to make sure that you’re not carrying any fungus from location to location.

The fact of the matter is that you need to be keeping your feet and shoes dry so that no bacteria or fungal infections are carried around. In the case that you do develop an irritating rash from athlete’s foot, it’s best to have a professional provide you with the treatment that you need to relieve yourself of this discomfort. Call and schedule an appointment with one of the podiatrists in our Arlington office and we can get quickly schedule a time to get you the treatment that you need.