Athlete’s foot is a common fungal infection that occurs in the feet. The fungi that create this infection are Trichophyton, Microsporum, and Epidermophyton. These parasites live in dark, warm, and moist environments, between our toes and inside our toes. Athlete’s foot symptoms are usually dry and itchy skin, scaling, painful inflammation, etc. It is important to know how to get rid of an athlete’s foot before it gets severe. Although this is a common disease that can be treated with over-the-counter (OTC) medicine, people who have diabetes should seek doctors for immediate recovery.
How athlete’s foot spread?
Athlete’s foot can spread through direct and indirect contact:
- Direct contact occurs if an uninfected person touches the infected area of somebody who has an athlete’s foot.
- Indirect contact occurs through contaminated places, bed sheets, towels, socks, swimming pools, etc.
Athlete’s foot does not affect only the feet, sometimes it can spread to the groin and underarms as well. Therefore, it is a must to wash your hands if you do touch the infected area.
Common causes of athlete’ foot:
Sharing socks or shoes with others – this is the most reason behind the infection, the insides of shoes are warm, moist, and dark. This is the optimal surface for the fungus to grow rapidly. So it is good not to share the socks and shoes and using a foot powder to reduce the moisture in socks and shoes is also a better choice.
Walking in barefoot – walking barefoot on moist surfaces like locker rooms, showers, etc. can also be the reason for the spread of fungi. It is important to wash and dry the toes immediately after using such surfaces.
Tips on how to prevent athlete’s foot:
Following are some of the tips on how to get rid of an athlete’s foot:
Keep your feet dry – Foot fungus survives only in a moist environment; therefore use foot powder to reduce the moisture. Walking barefoot in the open air around the house helps keep your feet dry.
Wear sandals – wear sandals if it happens to walk on moist surfaces. This allows good air circulation in between the toes, allowing them to stay dry.
Using clean and hygienic socks – Washing socks every day in hot water is the best way to completely stop the growth of fungus. It is must to wear only after making it completely dry.
Anti-fungal creams and sprays – There are many medicines available over the counter which help treat athlete’s foot.
