5 Tips for Preventing Athlete's Foot This Summer

It’s officially summer in New York, which means it’s time for sandals, pool days, and workouts outdoors, but it’s also prime time for athlete’s foot (tinea pedis). In fact, athlete’s foot infections peak in summer! 

Warm weather, sweaty shoes, damp locker rooms, and increased barefoot time create the perfect environment for fungus to grow.

And unfortunately, once athlete’s foot starts, it can be stubborn. The itching, peeling, burning, and cracked skin can quickly go from annoying to difficult to manage.

At Gaston Mike Liu LLC here in Commack, New York, we treat and prevent common foot infections before they become bigger problems. 

Board-certified podiatrist Gaston Mike Liu, DPM, shares five tips for preventing athlete’s foot infections this summer.

1. Keep your feet dry

This tip may seem too easy, but dry feet are your best defense against fungus. That’s because fungus thrives in warm, moist environments. 

After swimming, showering, or exercising, make sure you dry your feet thoroughly, especially between your toes.

2. Wear breathable shoes

Closed shoes can trap heat and make you sweat more. Sweaty feet can increase your risk of fungal infections.

Wear shoes made with breathable fabric and avoid wearing the same pair every day if possible. Give your shoes time to air out; this helps reduce moisture and fungal growth. 

3. Don’t walk barefoot in public areas

Locker rooms, public pools, hotel showers, and gym floors are common places where athlete’s foot spreads. This is why athlete’s foot isn’t limited to athletes. It’s easy to pick up even on vacation! 

The solution? Wear sandals or shower shoes in shared spaces to create a barrier between your feet and contaminated surfaces.

4. Change your socks regularly

Sweaty socks hold moisture against your skin and create the perfect environment for fungus.

During the summer, especially, consider wearing moisture-wicking socks. Even if you wear moisture-wicking socks, change them promptly after workouts or outdoor activities.

Pro tip: If your feet sweat heavily, change your socks during the day to help reduce moisture buildup. Toss an extra pair of socks into your gym bag (or your kids’ sports bag), so you always have a dry pair ready.

5. Don’t ignore early symptoms

Athlete’s foot often starts small. At first, you might notice mild itching, peeling skin, or redness between the toes. 

Treating athlete’s foot early is much easier than dealing with a more advanced infection. Left untreated, the fungus can spread to your toenails, hands, thighs, or groin. These infections are all caused by fungi, but they’re named based on where they appear; for example, when the infection spreads to the groin area, it’s called tinea cruris, or jock itch. 

In other words, the sooner you address symptoms, the more likely you are to prevent them from spreading to other parts of your body. So, if symptoms persist or keep returning, it’s time to talk to Dr. Liu.

What if athlete’s foot keeps coming back?

These five strategies can help prevent athlete's foot from spreading, but fungal infections can be difficult to manage on your own. Recurring fungal infections may mean a few things. It could mean:

• The fungus is lingering in your shoes
• It’s spreading from another infected area
• You’re reinfected yourself from your shower mats, socks, linens, etc.
• The infections are becoming more difficult to treat with over-the-counter products alone 

Dr. Liu can evaluate your symptoms and recommend more targeted treatment options if needed.

How the Gaston Mike Liu LLC team can help

Surprisingly, athlete’s foot symptoms can overlap with other conditions. For example, hand, foot, and mouth disease, yeast infections, and pompholyx eczema can cause similar symptoms. Dr. Liu can confirm the source of your symptoms and recommend the right treatment for you.

If your symptoms are related to a fungal infection, he may recommend anti-fungal sprays, creams, or powders. He can also help identify any lifestyle habits and laundry tips that can help stop the spread. 

To get help with athlete’s foot, call 631-634-5448 or click here to schedule your appointment.