6 Tips for Avoiding Athlete’s Foot and Toenail Fungus This Summer

Though not exactly medically serious, fungal infections like toenail fungus and athlete's foot can be frustrating to deal with, not to mention incredibly uncomfortable. In other words, these are conditions that are best avoided altogether.

Unfortunately, the prevalence of both toenail fungus and athlete's foot is quite high — 70% of the general population will develop athlete’s foot at some point, and toenail fungus affects one in 10 people. 

Given the similarities between toenail fungus and athlete’s foot — they’re both fungal infections — preventive practices are largely the same. To give you an idea, the experienced team of foot health experts at Arizona Foot and Ankle Medical Center pulled together a few great strategies to keep your feet infection-free this summer.

1. Wear shoes in public spaces

As school lets out and families head to public pools to beat the Arizona heat, athlete’s foot and toenail fungus can spread like wildfire. Fungal infections are contagious, and the fungi in question love warm, moist environments, such as locker rooms and pools.

So, if you and your family use these types of public spaces, your first line of defense is to wear shoes at all times, including when you shower.

2. Swap out sweaty socks

As we just mentioned, fungi flourish in damp spaces, which includes sweaty socks and shoes. So, after you’re done with your activity, don’t delay getting out of sweaty socks and into clean, dry ones (after washing your feet first).

3. Use an antifungal spray on your socks and shoes

Get proactive to avoid getting athlete's foot and toenail fungus. For example, you can use an antifungal spray on your socks and shoes before you use them to repel fungi before they can invade.

4. Clean and dry your feet thoroughly

Whether you spent the day at the pool or running errands, your feet can benefit from a nightly regimen of washing and drying them to keep them free and clear of fungal infections. As well, always rinse and wash your feet after any activity that causes you to sweat.

5. Don’t share clippers, towels, etc.

Both toenail fungus and athlete's foot are contagious, so please don't share anything that touches your feet, such as toenail clippers, sporting gear, and towels.

6. Intervene early 

Fungal infections, especially in your toenails, can really dig in and become challenging to treat, especially if they’re left unchecked. Moreover, unchecked athlete’s foot can also spread to your toenails and lead to more fungal infections.

So, the moment you see signs of toenail fungus or athlete’s foot, it's a good idea to see us so that we can swiftly get rid of the infection before it wreaks more havoc.

For expert care of toenail fungus and athlete's foot, we invite you to contact us at one of our conveniently located offices in Chandler and Laveen, Arizona, to schedule a visit. You can also request an appointment via the online booking tool.