During the summer your footwear might consist of sandals and flip-flops. While we don’t always condone wearing flip-flops on a regular basis they are still less likely than other shoes to breed fungus since they can easily be wiped clean. It’s your sneakers, boots, and other shoes that provide the perfect atmosphere that you need to be concerned about.
Fungus thrives in places that are dark, damp, and warm. Your usual culprits include public pools (especially indoors), gym locker rooms, and nail salons. One place that you might not consider is your footwear. It’s important to practice good shoe hygiene if you want to protect yourself against a fungal infection. Every day your feet can get very sweaty, which causes moisture to build up inside your shoes. You must allow your footwear AT LEAST a full 24 hours to get completely dry before wearing them again. If you use special work shoes or boots make sure you have at least two pairs to cycle through. You can also add an antifungal powder to the insides of your shoes while they are drying. This will ensure that any fungus is destroyed.
Not only is taking care of your shoes important, but so is your own personal hygiene. It’s important to wash your feet daily and then make sure that your feet are completely dry before putting on socks or shoes. Speaking of socks, if you happen to be one of those people who sweat more profusely than others it’s not a bad idea to have an extra pair of socks on hand. This can help reduce the amount of moisture that builds up against your skin. If you are a person who spends a great deal of time at the pool or the gym it’s time to put those flip flops or shower shoes to use. Never walk around barefoot in a public locker room.
For more information regarding the prevention of foot fungus call Dr. Viedra Elison at (623) 584-5556 so that you can make your appointment with us at Fixing Feet Institute in Surprise, AZ.
