Athlete’s foot is not pleasant. Often caused by the foot sweating excessively in tight fitting shoes, athlete’s foot manifests as a scaly rash that stings and burns.

Because athlete’s foot is so unpleasant, you will want to do all you can to keep it from occurring. This article will talk about what athlete’s foot is while recommending ways to alleviate symptoms.

What is Athlete’s Foot?

Athlete’s foot occurs when the foot sweats in a confining shoe. It is related to fungal infections like ringworm and jock itch and it can be treated with over-the-counter antifungal medications and prescription medications, but the infection can recur over time.

The condition manifests as a scaly rash that usually appears between the toes. It is itchy and uncomfortable and, in some cases, it can be accompanied by blisters and ulcers.

The moccasin variety of athlete’s foot can cause dryness and scaling that extends up the side of the foot.

Athlete’s foot is very contagious and it can be spread through sharing towels, walking on contaminated floors and sharing clothing. It can even spread to your hand.

How Do You Alleviate Athlete’s Foot?

If you have athlete’s foot, here are some tips that will help soothe your symptoms and minimize the risk of a recurrence:

·         Keep Your Feet Dry: Dry your feet thoroughly after a bath or shower, especially between your toes. You should also go barefoot as often as possible to keep your feet from sweating.

·         Change Socks Often: If socks get sweaty, changing them often will help keep your feet dry.

·         Wear Well Ventilated Shoes: Shoes that are well ventilated will allow for plenty of air flow keeping feet from getting sweaty. Stay away from shoes made of heavy, nonporous materials such as vinyl and rubber.

·         Wear Different Shoes Each Day: Alternate the shoes you wear from day to day to give them a chance to dry out.

·         Protect Your Feet from Moisture Near Pools: If you plan to be around pools, showers or locker rooms, make sure to wear a pair of water shoes.

·         Use Antifungal Products: OTC antifungal products will work to alleviate symptoms. In most cases, these will need to be used twice a day for a week to help the rash go away.

·         Soak Feet in Cool Water: Soaking feet in cool water will help relieve the itch. Scratching your feet, on the other hand, can make the rash worse.

·         Don’t Share Shoes: Sharing shoes can spread the infection and is not advisable under any circumstances.

·         Be Wary of Antibiotics: Certain antibiotics can kill the bacteria that controls athlete’s feet. If you think the condition might be related to your medication, talk to your doctor to find out about your options.

Athlete’s foot can be annoying and painful. Fortunately, there are products on the market as well as actions you can take to relieve symptoms and make the rash go away.  What treatments do you recommend when athlete’s foot starts to flare up?

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Photo by Imani Bahati on Unsplash