A skin infection of the foot caused by the ringworm fungus known as trichophyton, athlete’s foot is a condition affecting almost 70 % of today’s population at some point during their lifetime.
So why is athlete’s foot seemingly worse during the summer months?
Well, athlete’s foot is worse during the summer months simply because the opportunities to catch it are higher.
Athlete’s foot is easily passed along when you go barefoot, which clearly we all do more during the summer months. So the weather is warmer, it’s nicer outside, you shed your shoes and enjoy the barefoot grass so the odds of catching athlete’s foot or even another type of fungal skin or nail infection are much higher. So it seems that not everything about the summer is great!
Remember athlete’s foot must have the perfect environment for fungal growth, so if you think about the combination of sweaty bare feet, combined with the hot and sticky climate created during the muggy summer months and even the steamy moist environment created inside summer shoes, then the setup is perfect for an outbreak of athlete’s foot.
Symptoms of athlete’s foot include itchy and dry skin in between the toes and on the soles of the feet and even thickened and yellow toenails. Sounds a bit gross!
So you figured out that you have athlete’s foot?
With the help of this simple athlete’s foot treatment from FootSmart .
Keeping feet cool, dry and comfortable is the best way to guard your feet against athlete’s foot, a contagious fungus that thrives in moist environments like wet, sweaty shoes and socks.
Take away the growing conditions for the athlete’s foot fungus and you take away the itching and burning conditions brought on by this fungus.
Exactly what are you to do now? Well to start with begin to clean your feet every single day with soap and water to wash away as much of the fungus as you can, plus it is an overall healthy thing to do.
Then take the time to dry your feet thoroughly after every single shower and bath. Use the time to dry thoroughly between each and every toe. This is not time for skimping! It’s the moist damp environments that promote fungal growth. So if you take away the moist area in which the athlete’s foot fungus breed then you’ve eliminated the possibility of growth.
Another great idea to help avoid athlete’s foot during the summer is when you do wear closed toe shoes make sure that you change socks frequently. Don’t go around with damp socks. Particularly after you have enjoyed a daily run, or a great workout, then take the time to get out of the damp socks.
Also look for sandals made of natural materials such as cork or even leather which are known to keep your feet cooler and drier than the trendy rubber and plastic summer shoes.
Also absolutely listen to what your mother said! Always wear flip flops around public pools or in community shower to avoid any possibility of catching athlete’s foot from the fungus undoubtedly located there.
If you do get athlete’s foot, an over-the-counter treatment such as Tinactin, should easily clear it up with in two to three weeks. However, if this does not work for you make sure to see your health care provider as you may need your physician’s assistance to completely rid your body of the athlete’s foot fungus that has invaded.
Athlete’s foot in the summer is definitely on the rise. So pay attention to what’s going on around you and do what you can to eliminate your risk of catching athlete’s foot in the summer!