Avoiding Athlete’s Foot

Spring sports season is here, folks! And with it comes outdoor practice, the thrill of competition, and all the locker room team bonding you’ve been waiting for all winter. Unfortunately, it’s also the season for a ripe affliction known as athlete’s foot. Athlete’s foot is easily spread fungus that you can get by touching the affected area of a person who has it. More commonly, you pick up the fungi from damp, contaminated surfaces, such as the floors in public showers or locker rooms.

Although athlete’s foot is contagious, some people are more susceptible than others. Susceptibility may increase with age. Experts don’t know why some people are more likely to get it. After you have had athlete’s foot, you are more likely to get it again. If you aren’t susceptible to athlete’s foot, you may come in contact with the fungi. that cause athlete’s foot yet not get an infection. But you can still spread the fungi to others.

Risk Factors You Can’t Control
Risk factors for picking up athlete’s foot that you cannot change include:

• Being male
  Men are more susceptible than women.
• Having a medical history
  Those with a history of being susceptible to fungal infections are more likely to catch them.
• Suffering from an impaired immune system
  This can be due to conditions such as diabetes or cancer.
• Living in a warm, damp climate
  The fungus that causes athlete’s foot thrives in a more humid climate.
• Aging
  Athlete’s foot is more common in older adults. Children rarely get it.

Risk Factors You Can Control
Taking care of your feet and shoes is the primary way you can prevent the fungus from taking hold. Making some small changes to your post-practice locker room routing and post-workout shoe choice can make a big difference:

• Never allow your feet to remain damp.
• Wear loose, well-ventilated shoes.
• Do not using public or shared showers or locker rooms without wearing shower shoes.
• Avoid activities that involve being in the water for long periods of time.

If, despite all the best intentions and habits, you suspect you have caught athlete’s foot call your doctor and talk to them about your treatment options; there are a wide variety of effective over-the-counter and prescribed medications that can help you squash the fungus and get back in motion.