Admit it – having athlete’s foot can be a source of embarrassment. It restricts you from doing certain activities, especially those that involve taking off your shoes, or having to go barefoot. And it isn’t fun – at all. So you think you are the only one who is keeping that secret? Wrong. There are a lot of people who are just like you.

All over the world, many people experience athlete’s foot, or tinea pedis.  Tinea pedis is a skin condition affecting the top layer of the skin particularly around and in between toes.  Some types of fungi, commonly the Tricophytonrubrum, invade the superficial keratin of the skin using a special type of enzyme.  Fungi thrives more in certain conditions, such as warmth and humidity or moisture.  When there is a crack or fissure around the toe area plus the suitable conditions for growth, the fungi, considered a plant, burrow itself into the superficial layer, invade and proliferates the area. If you wonder how they survive, then think about them digesting the keratin, the protein that makes up the outer layer of your skin.

They say prevention is the best cure. Here are common guidelines for athlete’s foot prevention:

1. Dry your feet, and in between your toes, after showering or swimming

   Some people after showering never even bother to dry their feet, especially the area in between their toes.  This is not essentially bothersome, but such practice is a risk factor one should try to avoid.  Though damp feet itself may not cause the disease, it opens an environment for the fungi to dwell. Fungi that cause tinea pedis can be found anywhere. A simple touching of toes with a person with the disease will cause the person without the disease to have it, especially if the conditions are appropriate.

2. Have clean, short toenails

   Toenails harbor microorganisms that cause the infection.  When your toenails are long, dirt, fungus and keratin are housed inside.  When the integrity of your skin is compromised, and adding an environment which is moist and warm which is conducive to the growth of the plant-like fungi, tinea pedis will result.

3. Wear shoes that do not make your feet hot and damp

   There are certain types of shoes that are basically occlusive. Meaning, it obstructs air from entering and exiting, not allowing your feet to breathe.  Examples of these shoes are running shoes and boots.  When you use these shoes for a long period of time, your feet inside will feel damp and warm.  These are factors necessary for the growth of the fungus that will cause athlete’s foot. So if it is not really necessary, avoid using these types of shoes. But if you have to, then try to take them off once in a while whenever possible.

4. Change shoes or socks when it is damp

   If you cannot avoid using occlusive footwear, try to change them daily.  Shoes and socks that are damp due to sweat and other environmental factors is a good habitation for keratin-loving fungi to propagate.

5. Avoid borrowing footwear, especially from those suspected with the disease

   It is easy for fungi to transfer from one foot to another.  The footwear of persons suspected of having tinea pedis are great sources of colonies of the keratin-feeding fungi.  Without us knowing it, our foot naturally sheds off skin, and these particles are usually left sticking at the inside lining of our shoes, and fungi is basically attracted to these particles. So imagine your friend’s shed-off skin particles inside her shoes – and then you borrowing it. When you use that shoe, the fungi will be transferred to your clean foot. But since your clean foot has keratin, fungi will invade it also and cause you to have athlete’s foot.

6. Wear protection while using a public bathroom, showers, pools and changing rooms.

   When using communal bathrooms or showers, pools and changing rooms, do not walk in barefoot.  Try to use slippers or shower shoes.  The floors of these areas are filled with different types of microorganisms that can easily be transferred to your barefoot.  Several fungi, including those which cause athlete’s foot, are thriving in these wet areas filled with keratin-enriched skin cells. If you have wounds or breaks on the skin of your foot, your risk percentage is higher.

7. Wear cotton socks

   It was only in the year 1989 when sock researches were made, focusing mainly on sock construction technique and fiber technologies. Its interest is more pronounced with sports medicine health care professionals who have seen large cases of sock-foot pathologies. Among the different types of fibers used to construct the socks, those which can absorb moisture are recommended for initial sports activity. These fibers are cotton, wool, acrylic and propylene.

   During the activity, when sweat flows from the upper part the body down towards the feet, cotton absorbs and retains moisture by expanding compared to other fibers.  Although cotton easily bunched up when over-used causing irritation, it is the best type of sock fiber to use.  Cotton is breathable, therefore, your feet will be cooler compared to wool which insulates heat. It is soft thus, foot cracks and fissures are prevented. With these characteristics, cotton socks are being recommended for use to prevent athlete’s foot.

8. Using talcum or anti-fungal powder

   Talcum powder acts as a moisture absorber.  Its main ingredient, talc, is from selected natural talc which is purified and refined.  It is made of tiny slippery minerals that glide over one another, creating a barrier between the skin and any materials.  The barrier prevents irritation caused by materials creating friction on the skin.

   Antifungal powder, on the other hand, is similar to plain talcum powder but with special ingredients that prevents fungus from thriving.  The ingredients are usually cornstarch, baking soda, rice flour and borax powder.  Tinactin, Lamisil and Lotrimin are common brands carrying foot care products that prevent the disease. Cover your feet with enough amounts of talcum or antifungal powder, or any recommended foot products before you wear your socks and shoes.  This will prevent the fungus from colonizing and growing on your skin.

9. Airing shoes before using again

   When you expose your shoes to air, it will become dry, therefore, it will kill the dark- and moisture-loving fungi.  The Center for Disease Control recommends changing shoes every 2-3 days.  Airing of shoes may be done every 24 hours.

10. If infected, apply appropriate treatment

    Before you buy that anti-fungal cream that you have seen on television, it is important for you to know that there are a lot of natural means for you to treat athlete’s foot.  Sometimes, you don’t even have to go that far.  One of the natural remedies may be found right inside your kitchen.

    • Apple cider vinegar and baking soda can help treat athlete’s foot.  But remember:  do not use both at the same time.  You would want to mix baking soda with warm water and then soak your feet in it.  If apple cider vinegar is available, mix 1 cup of the vinegar with another cup of warm water and proceed to soak your feet.
    • Tea tree oil can also help treat athlete’s foot because of its antifungal properties.  After you have washed and thoroughly dried your feet, apply tea tree oil on the areas of the foot that are scaly and itchy.  You may want to re-apply several times each day.
    • Garlic, with its antibiotic properties, can help prevent infection.  Cut a clove of garlic in half and then rub it on the affected areas four to five times daily.
    • The application of aloe vera can also soothe your infected feet.  Cut it to expose the fleshy and juicy inside of the plant and then apply in on specific affected areas two times a day.
    • Before going to bed, you can also rub honey on your feet and then cover it with socks. Let it stay overnight and then wash off in the morning.

Sources
webmd.com
mayoclinic.com
galttech.com
drfoot.co.uk
emedicine.medscape.com
aapsm.org
onthefly.com
ehow.com
cdc.gov
eioba.com