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Athlete's Foot: What It Is, How Treat It and How to Avoid It!

athletes foot what is it how to treat it fungus tips

Do your new and old shoes have a persistent smelly odor?

Do you find that your feet are itchy, dry, and scaly?

This may indicate you struggle with an athlete's foot fungal infection. Among the many foot care concerns during the winter, one foot issue occurs year round: athlete's foot. This condition is not limited to athlete's and is fairly common. Additionally, athlete's foot is highly contagious: contract/transmit by sharing shoes or showers with another person who has athlete's foot/you have athlete's foot. Dr. Bailey discusses her Athlete's Foot Fungus tips to prevent and treat this condition in her original post: "Dermatologist's Simple Tips for Athlete's Foot Fungus Treatment."

What is Athlete's Foot?

Athlete's foot is caused by a fungus that lives on the outer skin. This fungus may lead to dry and thick skin on your soles, skin cracks between toes, scaly rashes on the feet, and small foot blisters. Dr. Bailey also points out:
It is the same fungal germ that causes jock itch, most nail fungus infections and ‘ring worm’ infection (not a real worm) of the scalp or body. 

How Do You Know if You Are at Risk for Athlete's Foot?

  • Excessively sweaty feet
  • Wear shoes that induce hot and sweaty feet conditions
  • Use shoes worn by other people that may contain athlete's foot fungus: bowling or ic skating rentals
  • Share a shower with people that may have athlete's foot: gym, home shower, etc.

Dr. Bailey's Athlete's Foot Fungus Tips: Treatment

  1. For twice a day over 2 months, use over the counter terbinafine or clotrimazole antifungal creams on an active infection (Rationale: It takes 2 months for you to grow new skin, fungus-free!)
  2. Apply Zeasorb Athlete Foot Powder to your shoes everytime before you wear them.This should also be done 6 months after the 2 month treatment period or when your feet are "cured"
  3. Discard old and smelly shoes that likely harbor Athlete's Foot fungus
  4. Disinfect your home shower with a dilute bleach solution (1:9, bleach:water) during the "treatment" period

Dr. Bailey's Athlete's Foot Fungus Tips: Prevention

  • SHOULD YOU EXFOLIATE ATHLETE'S FOOT
    Always wear sandals/thongs in communal showers
  • Every day, wash your feet and between your toes. Use an exfoliating cloth such as Dr. Bailey's favorite: Salux Wash Cloth to assist in removing excess dead skin cells that may harbor athlete's foot fungus.
  • Thoroughly dry between your toes to eliminate moist environment for fungal growth. Consider use a blow dryer if highly susceptible.
  • Trim your toenails to a short length
  • Wear cotton socks in closed-toe shoes 
  • Wear breathable shoes that allow sweat to evaporate. Avoid plastic/synthetic closed-toe shoes
  • Apply Zeasorb Athlete Foot Powder to your shoes every time before you wear them. This is not only an important treatment but also prevention method.
  • glycolic acid athlete's foot exfoliation
    Keep your feet soft and avoid dead skin buildup with Dr. Bailey's Soft and Smooth Feet Rough Skin Remover Kit. She uses a medical-grade Glycolic Acid Lotion and physical exfoliation to control callouses and thick foot skin. That thick skin creates a happy home for the foot fungus. Use this kit after you have treated and healed your athlete's foot to help keep your feet soft, smooth and healthy. 

Bottom Line of Athlete's Foot Fungus Tips

Following Dr. Bailey's Athlete's Foot Fungus Tips provides comprehensive methods to treat and prevent this frustrating condition. There is no need to suffer from itchy and scaly feet, one can start this treatment at any time. If you would like a more thorough discussion on Dr. Bailey's Athlete's Foot Fungus Tips, click here

Author: Written by Angela, a member of the Dr. Bailey Skin Care Team for many years and now a Nurse Practitioner extraordinaire! Angela has gotten great acne relief with Dr. Baily and her products