Athlete's foot prevention: Difference between revisions
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__NOTOC__ | __NOTOC__ | ||
{{Athlete's foot}} | {{Athlete's foot}} | ||
{{CMG}} | {{CMG}} {{AE}} {{NS}} | ||
==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
* The fungi that cause athlete's foot can live on shower floors, wet towels, and footwear. | * The [[fungi]] that cause athlete's foot can live on shower floors, wet towels, and footwear. | ||
* Athlete's foot is caused by a fungus and can spread from person to person from shared contact with showers, towels, etc. | * Athlete's foot is caused by a fungus and can spread from person to person from shared contact with showers, towels, etc. | ||
* Hygiene therefore plays an important role in managing an athlete's foot infection. | *[[Hygiene]] therefore plays an important role in managing an athlete's foot infection. | ||
* Since fungi thrive in moist environments, it is very important to keep feet and footwear as dry as possible. | * Since fungi thrive in moist environments, it is very important to keep feet and footwear as dry as possible. | ||
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* The fungi that cause athlete's foot live on moist surfaces and can be transmitted from an infected person to members of the same household through secondary contact.<ref name="household1">{{cite news |author=Robert Preidt | * The fungi that cause athlete's foot live on moist surfaces and can be transmitted from an infected person to members of the same household through secondary contact.<ref name="household1">{{cite news |author=Robert Preidt | ||
|title=Athlete's Foot, Toe Fungus a Family Affair |url=http://www.healthscout.com/news/68/535172/main.html |format=Reprint at ''USA Today'' |publisher=''HealthDay News'' |date=September 29, 2006 |accessdate=2007-10-10 |quote="Researchers used advanced molecular biology techniques to test the members of 57 families and concluded that toenail fungus and athlete's foot can infect people living in the same household."}}</ref> | |title=Athlete's Foot, Toe Fungus a Family Affair |url=http://www.healthscout.com/news/68/535172/main.html |format=Reprint at ''USA Today'' |publisher=''HealthDay News'' |date=September 29, 2006 |accessdate=2007-10-10 |quote="Researchers used advanced molecular biology techniques to test the members of 57 families and concluded that toenail fungus and athlete's foot can infect people living in the same household."}}</ref> | ||
* By controlling the fungus growth in the household, transmission of the infection can be prevented. | * By controlling the fungus growth in the household, transmission of the infection can be prevented. | ||
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*Dry feet well after showering, paying particular attention to the web space between the toes. | *Dry feet well after showering, paying particular attention to the web space between the toes. | ||
*Try to limit the amount that your feet sweat by wearing open-toed shoes or well-ventilated shoes, such as lightweight mesh running shoes. | *Try to limit the amount that your feet sweat by wearing open-toed shoes or well-ventilated shoes, such as lightweight mesh running shoes. | ||
*Wear lightweight cotton socks to help reduce [[sweat]]. These must be washed in hot water and/or bleached to avoid reinfection. New light weight, moisture wicking polyester socks, especially those with anti-microbial properties, may be a better choice. | *Wear lightweight cotton socks to help reduce [[sweat]]. These must be washed in hot water and/or bleached to avoid reinfection. | ||
*Use foot powder to help reduce moisture and friction. Some foot powders also include an anti-fungal ingredient. | *New light weight, moisture wicking polyester socks, especially those with [[Antimicrobial|anti-microbial]] properties, may be a better choice. | ||
*Use foot powder to help reduce moisture and [[friction]]. Some foot powders also include an anti-fungal ingredient. | |||
*Wear open-toed shoes or simply light-weight socks without shoes when at home. | *Wear open-toed shoes or simply light-weight socks without shoes when at home. | ||
*Keep shoes dry by wearing a different pair each day. | *Keep shoes dry by wearing a different pair each day. | ||
| Line 43: | Line 44: | ||
*Replace sole inserts in shoes/sneakers on a frequent basis. | *Replace sole inserts in shoes/sneakers on a frequent basis. | ||
*Replace old sneakers and exercise shoes. | *Replace old sneakers and exercise shoes. | ||
*To prevent jock itch: When getting dressed, put on socks before underwear. | *To prevent [[jock itch]]: When getting dressed, put on socks before underwear. | ||
*After any physical activity shower with a soap that has both an antibacterial and anti-fungal agent in it. | *After any physical activity shower with a soap that has both an [[antibacterial]] and anti-fungal agent in it. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Latest revision as of 18:51, 27 July 2020
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Athlete's foot Microchapters |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Case Studies |
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Athlete's foot prevention On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Athlete's foot prevention |
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Risk calculators and risk factors for Athlete's foot prevention |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Sanjana Nethagani, M.B.B.S.[2]
Overview
- The fungi that cause athlete's foot can live on shower floors, wet towels, and footwear.
- Athlete's foot is caused by a fungus and can spread from person to person from shared contact with showers, towels, etc.
- Hygiene therefore plays an important role in managing an athlete's foot infection.
- Since fungi thrive in moist environments, it is very important to keep feet and footwear as dry as possible.
Prevention
Prevention Measures in the Home
- The fungi that cause athlete's foot live on moist surfaces and can be transmitted from an infected person to members of the same household through secondary contact.[1]
- By controlling the fungus growth in the household, transmission of the infection can be prevented.
Bathroom Hygiene
- Spray tub and bathroom floor with disinfectant after each use to help prevent reinfection and infection of other household members.
Frequent Laundering
- Wash sheets, towels, socks, underwear, and bedclothes in hot water (at 60 °C / 140 °F) to kill the fungus.
- Change towels and bed sheets at least once per week.
Avoid Sharing
- Avoid sharing of towels, shoes and socks between household members.
- Use a separate towel for drying infected skin areas.
Prevention Measures in Public Places
- Wear shower shoes or sandals in locker rooms, public showers, and public baths.
- Wash feet, particularly between the toes, with soap and dry thoroughly after bathing or showering.
- If you have experienced an infection previously, you may want to treat your feet and shoes with over-the-counter drugs.
Personal Prevention Measures
- Dry feet well after showering, paying particular attention to the web space between the toes.
- Try to limit the amount that your feet sweat by wearing open-toed shoes or well-ventilated shoes, such as lightweight mesh running shoes.
- Wear lightweight cotton socks to help reduce sweat. These must be washed in hot water and/or bleached to avoid reinfection.
- New light weight, moisture wicking polyester socks, especially those with anti-microbial properties, may be a better choice.
- Use foot powder to help reduce moisture and friction. Some foot powders also include an anti-fungal ingredient.
- Wear open-toed shoes or simply light-weight socks without shoes when at home.
- Keep shoes dry by wearing a different pair each day.
- Change socks and shoes after exercise.
- Replace sole inserts in shoes/sneakers on a frequent basis.
- Replace old sneakers and exercise shoes.
- To prevent jock itch: When getting dressed, put on socks before underwear.
- After any physical activity shower with a soap that has both an antibacterial and anti-fungal agent in it.
References
- ↑ Robert Preidt (September 29, 2006). "Athlete's Foot, Toe Fungus a Family Affair" (Reprint at USA Today). HealthDay News. Retrieved 2007-10-10.
Researchers used advanced molecular biology techniques to test the members of 57 families and concluded that toenail fungus and athlete's foot can infect people living in the same household.