You Don't Have to be an Athlete to Get Athlete's Foot

You Don't Have to be an Athlete to Get Athlete's Foot

Athlete's foot is a common condition caused by fungus.  You don't have to be a professional athlete or even a weekend warrior to have Athlete's foot.  It can find you in public pools, showers, spas, or locker rooms at the gym.  Fungus thrives in damp conditions like these.

It's much easier to prevent Athlete's foot than to eradicate it.  The best thing you can do to prevent it is to always wear sandals or flip flops in the locker room, pool, or shower.

SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT

Symptoms of Athlete's foot range from mild scaling and itching to irritating and painful blisters and redness.  You can often treat these symptoms with over-the-counter medicine.  Contact Joseph Stuto, DPM at 2 convenient locations in Brooklyn NY for advice in choosing a medication or if your medication is not helping.  Our board-certified foot surgeon, Dr. Stuto can examine your feet and prescribe a stronger medication to help treat this infection.  

One thing to keep in mind.  If you have diabetes, be sure to contact us to make an appointment immediately.  You can reach us at (718) 624 - 7537 to schedule an appointment.  We take your foot infection seriously and want to make sure you are treated properly.

The success of any treatment depends on your regimen of applying medication and avoiding public areas where the fungus thrives.  Because you're fighting an infection, be sure to use the entire treatment … if you stop too soon, it may return.

PREVENTION

Here are some good commonsense tips to follow to prevent Athlete's foot:

  • Keep your feet clean and dry.
  • Be sure to dry between your toes after swimming or bathing.
  • When outdoors, wear sandals or shoes that allow your feet to breathe.
  • If you are indoors, get in the habit of wearing socks or sandals instead of closed shoes.
  • Wear socks to absorb sweat and be sure to change your socks twice a day.
  • Use talcum or antifungal powder on your feet.
  • Rotate your shoes.  Allow your shoes to air for at least 24 hours before you wear them again.  The fungus can grow in your shoes.
  • Wear shower sandals in public places like pools, showers and spas.

Athlete's foot is an irritation and an annoyance, but it's also a fungal infection that needs to be treated.  It won't go away by itself.  Call your Dr. Stuto to take the first step to rid yourself of this common foot condition.

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