With warm weather quickly approaching, spring and summer activities are likely on your mind. While participating in your favorite sports and leisure activities, it is important to keep your skin healthy. One common threat to your skin is athlete’s foot, an uncomfortable fungal infection that can spread to your family if you are not careful. While athlete’s foot is easily treated in an urgent care facility, understanding the causes and prevention of athlete’s foot will ensure happy feet for you and your family this year.
A skin rash on the foot, athlete’s foot (tinea pedis) is usually caused by a fungal infection, according to WebMD. The infection is usually spread by walking barefoot on floors where the fungus is present, such as a locker room floor. Once the fungus gets on your feet, it grows inside of your shoes. It particularly thrives inside of tight shoes that make the feet sweaty and warm.
By practicing proper foot care, you can prevent contracting and spreading this infection. Follow these tips for keeping your feet clean and dry to prevent athlete’s foot.
- Wear Flip-Flops: While walking around a public pool facility or locker room, and when using a public shower, wear sandals to avoid contact with any fungus.
- Change Your Socks: Change your socks twice per day to keep your feet dry. If you are engaging in sports or other exercise, remove or change your socks right after to allow your skin to breathe.
- Wash Your Feet: Thoroughly wash your feet to after any athletic activity. Be sure to dry them completely.
- Wear Appropriate Footwear: If it is warm outside, wear sandals to prevent any excessive sweating. Have a pair of breathable shoes in your gym bag to put on after exercising.
- Apply Powder: Apply anti-fungal or basic talcum powder to your feet to keep your feet dry and fungus-free.
If you do notice an itchy rash on your feet, be sure to visit your local urgent care facility to have it looked at by a medical professional. With about 20 thousand physicians practicing urgent care medicine, your local physician will recommend the proper treatment plan for your particular case. Once the fungus is completely gone from your feet, be sure to continue the above foot care practices in order to prevent further spread.