Anyone at any time can suffer from athlete’s foot. Athlete’s foot can show up as burning, itching, redness, and dry skin on the bottom of the foot and between the toes. Athlete’s foot is caused by a fungus growing on your skin. The fungus is typically picked up from walking barefoot and favors a dark, wet, warm environment. These conditions are also found inside your shoe which helps the fungus grow.

There are a few simple rules to avoid athlete’s foot. The first is not to share your shoes with anyone. If you’ve had athlete’s foot in the past try spraying your shoes with Lysol or an antifungal spray. It is also important to keep your feet dry and clean. This means making sure to dry between your toes after showering and might require changing your socks throughout the day if you have sweaty feet. The best tip is to wear sandals when in shared bathrooms, showers, locker rooms, or swimming pools. These are the most common areas to pick up the fungus.

It is important to check your feet daily. If you notice symptoms of athlete’s foot it’s appropriate to select an over-the-counter antifungal medication and follow the directions. If the symptoms persist after two weeks, or worsen, you should seek care from your podiatrist. They are trained to diagnosis this condition and provide the best treatment to cure the fungal infection.

If you or someone you know is experiencing pain in their feet, the doctors at Coastal Podiatry Associates are available to help. The doctors have received extensive training in all aspects of the foot and can help you return to normal activity. To determine the best course of treatment contact our office at 843-449-FOOT (3668) or visit our website at www.coastalpodiatry.com.

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