Expert tips to prevent Athlete's foot

Dr. Biplav Agrawal shares tips for preventing athlete's foot.

Written By: Bhakti Paun Sharma | Published : October 17, 2015 4:24 PM IST

Athlete s foot, though common among athletes, can happen to anyone. The most common cause of skin infections is lack of hygiene and coming in contact with a person infected with the fungus. Here are the signs and symptoms that indicate you have athlete s foot. Dr. Biplav Agrawal, Consultant Dermatologist, Immunologist and Cosmetologist at W Hospitalby Pratiksha, shares the following tips that will help prevent athlete s foot.

Do not walk barefoot, especially in public areas like pools, hotel rooms, shower areas or the locker room or changing rooms at any of these places. Wearing flip-flops or sandals will save you from coming in contact with the fungus.
The fungus breeds in wet or damp areas. Hence, keeping your feet dry at all times is necessary. Whether your feet are wet due to sweat or humidity, make it a point to dry them at the earliest.
Allow your feet to breathe during the summers. You can also sprinkle a little talcum powder between toe fingers and on your feet to keep sweat at bay. Here are 6 fixes to keep your feet clean and beautiful.
When you come back home, wash your feet with soap and water thoroughly and dry it. Do not forget the area between toe fingers as it is more prone to contracting the infection.
If you need to wear shoes all day, choose well-fitted and good quality ones along with sweat absorbing socks. Tight shoes can build up the sweat inside, making your feet susceptible to fungal infections.
If your shoes are wet, remove it immediately. You can insert a newspaper in the shoe and keep it overnight for absorbing all the moisture.
Do not share your footwear, socks or towels with an infected person. The infection is contagious and will easily spread to you.

If you have been infected with athlete s foot, wash all the clothing and socks or other garments used during that time with hot water and a good detergent. Complete the course of your medication to avoid re-occurrence of infection.

Image Source: Shutterstock

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