athelet foot

 

As you get ready to don flip-flops or go barefoot this summer, remember this: Your feet are magnets for fungal infections. Fungi love to hitch a ride on your tootsies and make themselves at home. Take athlete's foot, for instance.  The contagious and annoying fungus
found in locker rooms thrives in the warm, moist environment of your toes, causing itching, redness, and cracked skin.

And while you probably know that wearing shoes on wet, germ-filled surfaces will decrease your chances of contracting the infection, you might not be aware that a wide variety of fungi can cause athlete's foot, says Richard Braver, D.P.M., a podiatrist at Active Foot & Ankle Care, LLC in Englewood and Fair Lawn, New Jersey. And these fungi can lurk almost anywhere.

Protecting your feet from fungi doesn't have to be hard, though. You just need to know where to start. Keep reading to learn four lesser-known causes of athlete's foot, and your best defenses against them.

Your Pet

Spot and Sassy shed tiny specks of skin called dander. No biggie, right? For your toes, it is. Fungi easily travels on your pet’s dander throughout your home, Braver says. As you walk barefoot through your rooms, the dander can attach to your soles and cause an infection.

To keep your feet fungi-free at home, regularly wash your pet with an anti-dander shampoo like Dander-Out to minimize flakes, suggests Braver. Also, frequently vacuum your floors and wear slippers.

Your Shoes

Shoes too tight? “Your toes trap in more moisture when they’re squeezed together,” Braver says. “There are most likely fungi already between your toes, and the moisture gives it the environment it needs to grow.” So when you’re shopping for shoes, make sure you can comfortably wiggle your toes before you purchase a pair.

Your Socks

Your sock choice can increase your risk of infection, too. “Cotton acts like a sponge, says Braver. “It stays wet when you sweat.” Synthetic materials, however, wick away wetness. “If you’re prone to sweating, use a roll-on antiperspirant on the bottom of your feet to help keep them dry,” he adds.

Your lack of socks can leave you susceptible to athlete’s foot, too. (Ahem, beloved boat shoes.) “Without socks, your shoe rubs off dead skin cells from your feet,” says Braver. “Fungi can live on the cells and remain inside your shoes until the next time you slip them on.” After a few wears sans socks, spray the inside of your shoes with an antifungal spray like Lotrimin to kill any fungus that may be harboring there.

Your Own Skin

Open wounds make it a piece of cake for fungi to take up residence on your foot. But it’s not just cuts that make you vulnerable. Dry, cracked heels are also easy targets, says Braver. Moisturize heels, and treat blisters or cuts with an antifungal cream such as Lamisil. If you have a wound, try to limit the amount of time you’re in bare feet and avoid moist surfaces that harbor germs like locker rooms, pools decks, and shower floors.