Foot fungus is embarrassing and uncomfortable. To make matters worse, if you’ve had it once, you have a heightened risk of getting it again. The good news? You can take certain actions to counteract your risk for foot fungus and keep your feet infection-free.
If you’ve had foot fungus before, Sean Rosenblum, DPM, and our team at Foot and Ankle Care of Passaic, wrote this guide just for you. In addition to the targeted foot fungus care we offer at our Lodi, New Jersey, office, we also want to equip you with fungal infection prevention tactics.
Here are three things you can do to prevent another bout of foot fungus.
Like mushrooms that spring up after a big rainstorm or that live in the damp parts of the forest, foot fungus needs dampness to thrive. Without moisture, it can’t grow. That means that wet or sweaty feet heighten your risk for a fungal infection.
That’s not to say you can never get your feet wet. You should just be mindful that they don’t stay wet. If you have sweaty feet, carry an extra pair of socks or stash them in an easily accessible place, like your desk drawer or glove box. Then, if you ever notice that your feet seem wet, you can change into clean, dry socks.
In a similar vein, it’s important to allow your shoes to dry between uses. If you trek through some wet terrain, for example, leave your shoes out in the sun to get rid of any moisture before you put them away. Let your gym shoes air out overnight, too.
Making sure your shoes dry means there are no hidden, damp spaces in them where fungus could get a foothold.
Are you picking up on a theme? Moisture is your enemy when it comes to foot fungus prevention. That means spaces like poolsides and locker room floors that stay continually wet present a higher risk.
Get a pair of rubber shoes you can easily slip on and off and bring them with you to the gym or the pool. These provide a simple but effective layer of protection in case any fungi have set up shop on the damp floor.
You don’t have to fight foot fungus on your own. For more prevention tips and dedicated treatment if you do get another bout of foot fungus, call our office or book an appointment with Dr. Rosenblum online today.
