With warm summer weather now just around the corner, it’s a good time for a refresher on athlete’s foot. This extremely common fungal infection thrives in dark, warm, moist places.
“There’s really no place better than the feet to foster a fungal infection,” said Dr. Matthew Enzweiler, a podiatrist with St. Elizabeth Physicians.
Think about it: Our feet generally are in warm, dark environments, such as inside socks and shoes, and always putting off moisture. That’s why we need to alter that environment to ward off fungal infections.
Taking your socks and shoes off, especially during the evenings or while you’re sleeping, can help. So can drying your feet well, particularly between your toes, after showering. Also, change your socks right after a workout or even in the middle of the day if necessary because, Enzweiler said, “the biggest factor we’re able to control is moisture.
If your feet tend to sweat a lot, you can use an over-the-counter drying powder, too, to cut down on moisture.
Unfortunately, athlete’s foot is so common that it’s “something probably everyone in their life has had at least once,” Enzweiler said, although it’s most common among high school athletes.
And it’s fairly easy to spot.
If you notice small fissures or cracks in the skin of your feet, especially between the toes, or small red bumps or blisters between your toes or in the arch of your foot that burn or itch, you’ve probably come down with a case of athlete’s foot. Most often, the burning and itching occur at night, when you’re just getting in bed or lying in bed.
Suspect you have athlete’s foot? The first thing you need to do is make sure your feet are dry. Use drying powders and over-the-counter anti-fungal creams to help clear up the infection. Two to three times a week, soak your feet in vinegar or acetic acid, which are cheap, easy-to-do remedies that can help. If those don’t work, you should see your family practitioner or podiatrist, who can prescribe a topical medication or, in severe cases, an oral one.
