Lionel (not his real name) has had athlete’s foot for three years. Soaking his feet in Epsom salts made it go away for a while, but also dried out his feet so badly that the skin cracked around the flex points between his toes and the middle of his arch.

He stopped the soaking treatment and started rehydrating his feet, but the condition came back. Frustrated, he sought information from his family doctor and online, and found out that many people get athlete’s foot at some point in their lives.

Thankfully, it can be treated effectively with non-prescription creams or gels from the pharmacy.

Also known as tinea pedis, it is a fungal infection that happens most frequently between the toes where it can be damp from sweat. So, to prevent athlete’s foot from developing, it’s important to keep one’s feet dry.

Athlete’s foot is usually caused by fungi that penetrate the skin through small cracks or wounds and infect the top layer. The microorganisms are passed on through skin-to-skin contact, or through contact with skin flakes.

Walking around barefoot in communal changing rooms increases the chances of contracting it. The most common locations that might be contaminated by tinea pedis are public showers, locker rooms, and swimming pools.

Fungal skin infections need moisture and warmth to spread. The feet are a perfect environment as shoes are often worn all day, while skin contains keratin, a protein the fungi feed on.

Athlete’s foot initially occurs as a rash between the toes and can cause the skin to redden and crack, while the affected area can be flaky and sometimes itchy. The skin could turn white and thicken, and is often slightly swollen.

Left untreated, it could spread to the sides and bottom of the feet and toenails – and, if touched, the hands, too. It could also spread to the nails and cause a fungal nail infection.

Factors that increase the risk of athlete’s foot include:

• allergies and eczema;
• poor immune system;
• poor blood circulation in the legs;
• certain sports like running and swimming;
• wearing shoes such as safety or rubber boots that cause your feet to sweat excessively.

It’s important to keep the feet dry by practising the following:

• thoroughly dry your feet with a towel after a shower, bath, or swim;
• wear shoes that aren’t too tight;
• do not wear the same pair of shoes two days in a row if they are wet;
• take your shoes off as often as possible and let your feet breathe.

While athlete’s foot does not cause any serious problems in those who are otherwise healthy, it usually doesn’t go away on its own. Once confirmed, see a doctor to get the correct treatment so it can be cured quickly.

TELEME Healing Life Stories is a collection of inspirational stories of how ordinary people triumph over their health conditions and recover to lead a healthier life. Email [email protected] to share your story.

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