Do you remember as a child your mother told you not to walk around swimming pools or gyms without shoes, to put on clean socks everyday... preferably cotton, and make sure that you exercise good foot hygiene and dry your feet properly? Years later this is still excellent advice. Ironically, these are just some of the tips doctors recommend to help prevent athlete’s foot.
How does someone get Athlete’s foot?
Fungi grow in moist and dark conditions. Most patients develop athlete’s foot by walking barefoot in public pools, hotels or locker rooms.
What are the symptoms of Athlete’s foot?
Symptoms include anything from itchy blisters in some cases to scaling, red, dry, cracking skin. Our doctor performs examinations for patients in our region who think they may have Athlete’s foot. Be sure to make an appointment with our doctor to determine if you have athlete’s foot or some other condition.
How do I treat Athlete’s foot?
To relieve symptoms, our doctor recommends OTC anti-fungal creams for mild cases and anti-fungal pills for more severe cases.
How do I avoid Athlete’s foot?
To avoid future symptoms, wear flip flops or sandals in public environments, use anti-fungal powder, wear porous shoes, change your socks more than once daily, and be sure you don’t borrow someone else’s shoes.