Keep Dry And Clean Feet
- As fungus inhabits damp, and dirty feet so you should always keep your feet completely clean and dry.
- If you are someone who wears socks, then change them on daily basis and keep them dry.
- In public places keep your feet protected.
- Try to wear ventilated shoes, so that your feet can get all the fresh air that they need.
Best Product To Prevent Athletes Foot
The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
Every editorial product is independently selected. If you buy something through our links, New York may earn an affiliate commission.
Baking Soda And Vinegar
Before you put them on, sprinkle baking soda into each shoe to absorb odor. It also acts to decrease the activity of fungal spores. Fill a spray bottle with diluted white or apple cider vinegar and spray it into your shoes whenever youre not going to wear them. It can help slow down the growth of fungal spores. Dont worry, the vinegar smell will disappear as it dries. Use both together to keep bacteria under control.
Don’t Miss: What Does 4e Mean In Shoe Size
Protect Your Feet In Public
You can lock down your home against fungus rather easily, but the world is another matter. Fungus thrives in warm, damp, moist environments, and there are plenty of them out there with a lot of foot traffic.
If you are going to high risk areas such as gyms, locker rooms, and public pools, you need to keep your feet protected. A pair of sandals oreven bettershower shoes will provide a good amount of cover in the worst of it.
Of course, wash your feet well after your time in a shower room or pool, and make sure they are fully dry before you put socks and shoes back on.
How To Kill Fungus In Shoes
There are a number of ways to kill fungus in shoes and get your feet smelling better. These tips can also help it from occurring in the future.
You May Like: How To Clean Hey Dude Shoes
How Long Can Toenail Fungus Live In Shoes
Fungus can live in shoes for 6 months to even yearsin spore form. Fungus needs dark, warmth and moist environments to live andgrow. Shoes provide this and due to some shoe construction, often have placesto hide within the shoes. Make sure to thoroughly disinfect shoes beforepacking them up for the following season of use or if you have receivedhand-me-downs or second hand store finds.
Spray Disinfectant On Infected Shoes
The easiest way to eliminate fungus from your shoes is to use disinfectant. Thanks to some quality fungus killer available in the markets that can help you do the job instantly. Typically, bacteria are the main reason that causes fungal infections. The disinfectants target these bacteria and kill them.
The fungal infection also causes unpleasant stink if you have sweaty feet. The moisture or sweat produced from your feet serves as a breeding ground for the bacteria. However, using disinfectant is not only effective in killing microbes infecting your shoes but also deodorize your feet. Moreover, it reduces foot perspiration significantly.
Although any disinfectant with a label of cure is excellent to remove fungus from the shoes, Any major brand is an effective and trusted disinfectant to make your shoes bacteria-free.
The best part of using a disinfectant is its portability. It comes in a small bottle you can easily keep in your bag or carry it anywhere to use it at your convenience.
However, you must read the label before using any disinfectant to prevent any shoe damage. Bleach, for example, can have a harsh reaction with disinfectant and may hurt your shoe color.
Don’t Miss: Running Shoes How Many Miles
What Kind Of Doctor Treats Athlete’s Foot
Dermatologists specialize in the treatment of skin disorders, including athlete’s foot. You may find a board-certified dermatologist through . Additionally, family medicine physicians, internal medicine physicians, pediatricians, podiatrists , and other practitioners may also treat this common infection. Most primary care physicians can treat athlete’s feet successfully.
What Happens If You Leave Athletes Foot Untreated
Athletes foot can cause mild to severe complications if you leave it untreated for too long. They include:
- An allergic reaction to the tinea fungus, which may cause blistering.
- Development of a secondary bacterial infection, accompanied by swelling and pain in your foot.
- The bacterial infection can also spread to your lymph system and cause infections in your lymph nodes and lymph vessels.
With the help of the remedies and prevention tips we have provided in this article, you will not just be able to fight an existing athletes foot infection but also steer clear of it in the future. Was this post helpful? Let us know through the comments section.
Recommended Reading: Are Allbirds Good For Walking
A Pharmacist Can Help With Athlete’s Foot
Athlete’s foot is unlikely to get better on its own, but you can buy antifungal medicines for it from a pharmacy. They usually take a few weeks to work.
Athlete’s foot treatments are available as:
- creams
- sprays
- powders
They’re not all suitable for everyone for example, some are only for adults. Always check the packet or ask a pharmacist.
You might need to try a few treatments to find one that works best for you.
What Are The Treatments For Athlete’s Foot
Treat athlete’s foot at the first sign of itchiness.
Most cases of athlete’s foot can be cured with over-the-counter antifungal products and basic good hygiene. Wash and dry your feet every morning and evening, change socks or stockings daily, and don’t wear the same shoes day after day to allow them time to dry completely before wearing them again. Sprinkle antifungal powder on feet and in your shoes daily. Antifungal creams and sprays are also effective at managing the infection. Continue treatment for one to two weeks after the infection has cleared to prevent it from recurring.
Make sure your feet get plenty of air. If you can’t go barefoot or wear sandals, wear synthetic socks which will wick away moisture. Cotton and wool tend to trap the moisture and promote fungal growth. Wear shoes made of a porous material.
If not treated properly and promptly, athlete’s foot can be very stubborn. Even when treated with antifungal drugs, the infection may take several weeks to disappear and may come back after treatment.
Most of the time it responds well to these over-the-counter interventions. However, more severe cases may need to be seen by a doctor.
Don’t Miss: How To Remove Jean Stains From White Shoes
Best Antifungal Laundry Detergent
Beforelooking at specific detergents, it is important to note the water must be ultra-hot.A study of water temperatures effectiveness in killing fungus was conducted.Individuals with the fungi on their feet wore socks and then took them off fortesting.
These socksrevealed 85% of participants transferred the fungus to the socks. When theywashed the socks, one set was washed at 104 degrees Fahrenheit and the secondset was washed at 140 degrees Fahrenheit. 104 degrees Fahrenheit is yourtypical warm-wash setting and 140 degrees is the typical hot-water setting. Note:if your hot water temperature setting is turned down, this may not be the casefor your washer.
The sockswashed in 140 degrees Fahrenheit only left 6% of the socks with a positivefungus testing. In contrast, those socks washed in the 104 degrees had 36% leftwith a positive fungus testing. Not just did the warm wash with detergent notkill the bacteria, it actually spread to previously uncontaminated areas of thesocks. Imagine if other clothing was placed in the wash with the socks. It iseasy to see how the fungus could spread.
There are also additives for the rinse cycle, such as Defense Antibacterial and Antifungal Soap or Borax Laundry Booster. These additives are designed to kill spores so they do not turn into problematic fungal infections. Many of these types of additives are added to the rinse cycle with fabric softener.
Swap Out Multiple Pairs Of Socks And Shoes
If you are an athlete or your routine requires you to wear shoes for a long time, swapping out shoes after every 6 to 7 hours is a good idea. The idea is even more effective if you work in moisture-laden environments or sweat a lot.
That means if you keep a set of two pairs of shoes, it will allow you to swap out them throughout the day. You can wear one while keep the other pair out to get dry.
The same rule applies to the socks you wear the whole day. If your feet sweat a lot, wearing the same pair of socks may create a perfect environment for fungus growth. Unwashed or dirty socks also contribute to the growth of microbes.
Moreover, dark-colored socks allow bacteria and fungus to not only breed faster but also cause multiple infections. It generally happens because dark hues accumulate and absorb heat faster. That creates excess moisture and sweat in the shoes.
Remember that if you keep using the same pair of socks and shoes, you will not be able to remove the bacteria and fungus. No matter what disinfectant you try or what spray you use, the accumulation of heat and moisture will spoil your efforts.
In short, switching out socks and shoes daily is one way to prevent the conditions that may create a playground for fungus.
Bottom Line
Recent Articles
You May Like: Can You Buy Kuru Shoes In Stores
Multiple Pairs Of Shoes And Socks
If you are wearing shoes all day, it is a wiseidea to have multiple pairs of shoes to swap out. Especially if you sweat orwork in moisture-laden environments, two sets of the same shoe allows you towear one pair while the other one airs out.
Socks worn multiple days in a row up the chances of fungus growth, not to mention building up the dirt in the shoe and foot. Dark socks allow the fungus to breed faster, as the signs of the fungus may be harder to spot. Adding to this, the darker socks allow your feet to accumulate heat faster, sweating more and creating excess moisture in the shoe.
Vinegar And Baking Soda
Spraying shoes with vinegar or baking soda aretwo other methods to help combat shoe fungus. Apple cider vinegar can besubstituted for regular vinegar if wanted. Dont worry, when vinegar dries, theunmistakable odor also dissipates.
Vinegar, as an acid, lowers the pH of bacteria.When this happens, essentially, the motor of the bacteria slows and for some,eventually stop. Baking soda, on the other hand, seems to show some reactionsof decreasing the number of viable cells. By using both, you stand a betterchance at keeping the bacteria at bay.
The baking soda also works to help soak up someof the smells that are produced with fungus. Simply sprinkle the inside and outof the shoes. If you chose to use the vinegar, fill a spray bottle and spraythe inside and outside each time you are not wearing the shoes.
You May Like: Can I Wear Steel Toe Boots On A Plane
Is Athletes Foot Contagious
Like many other fungal skin infections, athletes foot can be contagious. If you leave this infection untreated, it can spread to other areas of the body and to other people. For example, you can get athletes foot on your hands, legs, mouth, face and groin. Also, it can spread to your family members like your children and partner and to your friends.
To prevent the spread of athletes foot, you should:
- Begin your treatment immediately.
Athletes foot spreads all over the feet
What Are The Symptoms
Athlete’s foot can make your feet and the skin between your toes burn and itch. The skin may peel and crack. Your symptoms can depend on the type of athlete’s foot you have.
- Toe web infectionusually occurs between the fourth and fifth toes. The skin becomes scaly, peels, and cracks. Some people also may have an infection with bacteria. This can make the skin break down even more.
- Moccasin type infection may start with a little soreness on your foot. Then the skin on the bottom or heel of your foot can become thick and crack. In bad cases, the toenails get infected and can thicken, crumble, and even fall out. Fungal infection in toenails needs separate treatment.
- Vesicular type infection usually begins with a sudden outbreak of fluid-filled blisters under the skin. The blisters are usually on the bottom of the foot. But they can appear anywhere on your foot. You also can get a bacterial infection with this type of athlete’s foot.
Don’t Miss: Naot Shoes For Plantar Fasciitis
Keep Your Feet Dry And Clean
Its important to prevent athletes foot. Fungus can grow in dark, moist areas, making your feet an ideal place for athletes feet to develop. If you have athletes foot , keep your feet as dry and clean as possible.
Change your socks regularly. As soon as youre done working out, clean your feet and put on a fresh pair of socks. Dry the space between your toes. Dont go barefoot in public pool or gym areas.
You should also use shoes that are well ventilated and allow your feet to breathe to help athletes foot resolve more quickly.
Why Do My Feet Still Smell After Washing Them
There are naturally some bacteria on the feet. These bacteria help break down sweat on the feet as its released. If bacteria and sweat build up, a foul odor can form. Extra bacteria tend to form when a person sweats in their shoes, takes them off, and then puts them back on without allowing them to fully dry.
Also Check: What Size Is 4e
Whats Growing In Your Shoes
We dont wear the same clothes day after day without washing them. Yet, we wear our shoes day after day without cleaning the inside of them. Even if you dont wear the same shoes every day, hidden fungus spores can remain dormant for months just waiting for a little heat and moisture to germinate and start attacking your feet. In fact, the average foot can sweat up to a cup per day! These germs cause shoe odor and foot infections, both of which can be effectively eliminated thanks to our UV shoe sanitizer.
If you suffer from toenail fungus, athletes foot, foot odor or are diabetic and need to take the best possible care of your feet, the last thing you want to do is put your feet back in fungus-filled shoes.
Dr. Bryan C. Markinson
Footwear disinfection is an important but often neglected consideration in the prevention of recurrent foot infections. Shoe Care Innovations has answered the call for reliable disinfection of footwear with the invention of the SteriShoe shoe sanitizer.
Chief, Podiatric Medicine and Surgery
Dark and damp, the inside of your shows is the perfect breeding ground for harmful, odor-causingmicro-organisms like these.
Dont Wear The Same Shoes Two Days Running:
Its also smart to switch shoes frequently so you dont wear the same pair two days in a row. You dont need a closet like Imelda Marcoss to accomplish this. If you have only two pairs, you can alternate, wearing one pair and then the other.
You mention Birkenstocks. Wearing sandals is a smart way to help combat foot fungus, since the shoe is open to the air as soon as you remove your foot. The other solutions we have suggested might also help.
Other readers have suggested going barefoot when possible, such as in your own home. This exposes both the foot and the shoes to air and helps discourage the fungus that causes athletes foot.
Read Also: What Does 4e Mean In Shoe Size
Keep Switching Your Shoes
Following all the steps on how to kill fungus in shoeswill not be really helpful if you keep wearing the same shoes day in and day out. It would do better to invest in more than one pair of shoes and switch to a different pair every day. This will give enough time for the shoes to dry out completely before you wear them back again. Foot fungus mainly develops in shoes that are closed and do not allow the moisture to escape. So instead, try going for open shoes and breathable fabric instead of synthetics.
