7 Tips to Help You Avoid Athlete’s Foot This Summer

The warm days of summer give us the urge to grab some sunscreen and go outside, head out on vacation, and take part in outdoor activities. But the increase in humidity and warm weather can elevate your risk of getting athlete’s foot, which is a fungal infection that most commonly causes a flaky rash. In this blog, Dr. Mark Thompson and Dr. Brandon Holloway of Amarillo Foot Specialists located in the Amarillo, TX panhandle explain how you can avoid getting the condition this summer.

Understanding Athlete’s Foot

This is a fungal infection that is referred to as athlete’s foot because it’s common among athletes since they often must deal with sweaty feet. And this confined, clammy environment is exactly the kind of environment that athlete’s foot blossoms in. 

You can contract athlete’s foot by encountering contaminated surfaces or another person who has it. It typically develops between the toes, and it can spread to other parts of the feet and even the hands in some cases. Symptoms include a rash, stinging, burning, and itching in the affected areas. It isn’t really a serious condition, but it can be stubborn. 

Tips to Prevent Athlete’s Foot

1. Wash and dry your feet regularly. While you can’t avoid your feet sweating in the summer heat, washing and drying them regularly will help diminish your risk of getting a fungal infection.

2. Apply foot powder. Using foot powder before you put on your shoes can help keep your feet dry and decrease your risk of getting a fungal infection.

3. Don’t walk barefoot. Because the fungus that causes athlete’s foot thrives in places like showers, saunas, and locker rooms, try wearing sandals, flip-flops, or some other form of protection when in these areas.

4. Change out your shoes. It’s important to avoid wearing the same shoes day in and day out to let them dry out properly and help keep a fungal infection at bay.

5. Change your socks frequently. If you’re involved in a lot of activity or the weather is particularly humid, try to change your socks twice a day.

6. Don’t share. Sharing socks, shoes, or towels can elevate your risk of getting (or spreading) a fungal infection.

7. Wash your bedding and socks frequently. Bedding, towels, and socks are common sources of fungal infections, so wash these items frequently in hot water to help decrease your risk.

If you think you may have athlete’s foot, contact the office of Dr. Mark Thompson and Dr. Brandon Holloway of Amarillo Foot Specialists located in the Amarillo, TX panhandle today at (806) 322-3338 to schedule a consultation.