Athlete's Foot: Dos and Don'ts

An athlete's foot is characterized by dry skin, redness, stinging, and burning, and is one of the most common foot conditions. (Despite what the name suggests, it is not just a problem for athletes.)

Luckily, an athlete's foot can be prevented and treated with a few simple steps. Read on to find out how to avoid an athlete's foot and how to treat it if you already have it.

Athlete's Foot: What is it?

Infections caused by fungal infections on the soles of the feet and/or between the toes are known as athlete's feet. This condition is known scientifically as Tinea pedis. Although its name implies an athlete's condition, it comes from a common source: locker rooms and change rooms.

The following symptoms are present:

Translucent white moist skin between the toes on one or both feet.
A scaly and raw-looking rash
Itching
Stinging
Burning
Dry skin on the soles of the feet
Peeling skin on the soles of the feet
Cracked skin on the heels
Foot odor

It occurs when your feet become moist and fester from a public place or poor hygiene. Wet fall weather certainly contributes to this foot condition.

The Do's and Don'ts of Athlete's Foot

The followings are a few common do's and don'ts for Tinea pedis foot. Follow the do's and avoid the don'ts to keep Tinea pedis foot at bay.

Do: Wear flip-flops or shoes when you are in the public

As fungi are attracted to warm, moist environments, we recommend wearing flip-flops or shoes around public swimming pools and communal showers.

Do: After taking a bath or shower, make sure your toes are thoroughly dried

You can prevent athlete's foot by drying your feet and toes thoroughly after bathing.

Do: If you sweat a lot, change your socks regularly

In addition to 250,000 sweat glands on your feet, sock changes are crucial to keeping your feet dry. Swap your socks regularly, even if it takes multiple times a day. Moisture-wicking socks are a bonus point since they draw sweat away from your feet.

Do: Treat athlete's foot with over-the-counter antifungals

An athlete's foot can be prevented with topical antifungal products. Our Toronto foot clinic and online shop carry a variety of antifungal products, including:

Medicated creams
Ointments
Sprays
Powders

There are ingredients in these products that kill or stop the growth of the fungus.

Don’t: Wear wet shoes or dry footwear between uses

Remember that fungi prefer warm, dark, and moist environments. If your shoes are wet, you have one of the best places for them. Especially in wet autumn and winter weather, that can be a frequent issue (think about all the times you trudged through slush puddles on your way to work, and your socks and shoes got soaked to the skin). If you wear your footwear on a daily basis, it is important to avoid wearing wet shoes as a first step and to dry your footwear between uses. It doesn't take long for this foot condition to develop, so a few consecutive days of poor foot hygiene can quickly lead to complications.

Don’t: Use mats, rugs, bed linen, clothing, or footwear if you have athlete’s foot or a related dermatophyte infection, such as jock itch or ringworm

One in ten people suffer from athlete's foot, so it's always better to be safe than sorry when sharing items that come into contact with our feet, as well as washing socks, bedding, and towels at 60 degrees.

Don’t: Walk barefoot in public

In areas where you suspect others are going barefoot, such as the hotel pool or shared deck, the locker room, or even the dorm, avoid going barefoot.

Don’t: Wear shoes made of vinyl or rubber that are non-breathable

In order to facilitate dryness (in a good sense), wear breathable shoes as often as possible. Rubber and vinyl shoes have their place in your wardrobe, but they are not as breathable and can trap moisture. If you choose to use one of these non-breathable, make sure to wash and dry your feet between uses.

Do: Schedule an appointment with an All-In-One Foot Care Center

Last but not least, call us anytime to discuss your specific concern and we'll come up with actionable steps to keep your feet happy and healthy!

You can contact our office at 949-588-8833, or visit our website at https://www.ocfootdoctor.com. Our offices are in Laguna Hills, Irvine, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Lake Forest, Foothill Ranch, and Costa Mesa.

📲 949-588-8833

🏢 24331 El Toro Rd, Suite 370 Laguna Woods CA 92637

🏢Irvine Medical Arts Building 113 Waterworks Way, Suite 250 Irvine, CA 92618

🌐 https://www.ocfootdoctor.com/

The information contained above is intended for general reference purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice or a medical exam. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health professionals before starting any new treatment. Health information on this website MUST NOT be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease without the supervision of your doctor.