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    Athlete’s Foot

    Published on July 27th, 2015

    Athlete’s foot, while common during any season, occurs particularly often during the summer. Although athlete’s foot can strike in dry areas, the humidity that permeates summer months, as well as the moisture at pools and lakes, make July and August prime candidates for contracting this infection. Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that mainly affects the arch of your foot or between your toes, and can spread to your toenails. Your feet tend to be affected by fungus more than any other body part due to the warm, moist environment your shoes create. Symptoms include dry, scaly, and red skin, doubled with blisters, inflammation, and itchiness. If you are noticing any of these symptoms, make an appointment with your podiatrist. Athlete’s foot is often treated with antifungal ointment/cream or oral medication, which you can get through a podiatrist.

    Luckily, there are some steps you can take to prevent athlete’s foot. Whenever you are in public places, such as pools, gyms, or hotels, make sure to wear shoes. This also goes for showering in public places. If you live in a dorm or shower at the gym, have a pair of sandals to wear in the shower in order to prevent fungal infections. Along these lines, when you are done showering, dry your feet off immediately-especially between your toes. Unless you are exercising, try to wear supportive, open-toed shoes to keep from creating the dark and warm environment fungus is drawn towards. If you do have to wear close-toed shoes, such as during the winter or if your work requires it, change your shoes and socks every day. It is also important to avoid sharing shoes with people, no matter how cute your roommates’ new pair of sandals are.

    If you follow these tips, you ought to be able to avoid contracting athlete’s foot. However, if any of the symptoms aforementioned apply to you, please call Alpine Foot Specialists at 847-540-9949 to schedule an appointment today!

    Courtesy of: Arbor Foot

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