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Prevention
By Mayo Clinic staffThese tips can help you avoid athlete's foot or ease the symptoms if infection occurs:
- Keep your feet dry, especially between your toes. Go barefoot to let your feet air out as much as possible when you're home.
- Go with natural materials. Wear socks that are made of natural material, such as cotton or wool, or a synthetic fiber designed to draw moisture away from your feet.
- Change socks and stockings regularly. If your feet sweat a lot, change your socks twice a day.
- Wear light, well-ventilated shoes. Avoid shoes made of synthetic material, such as vinyl or rubber.
- Alternate pairs of shoes. Don't wear the same pair every day so that you give your shoes time to dry between wearings.
- Protect your feet in public places. Wear waterproof sandals or shower shoes in communal showers, pools, fitness centers and other public areas.
- Treat your feet. Use powder, preferably antifungal, on your feet daily.
- Don't share shoes. Sharing risks spreading a fungal infection.
References
- Goldstein A, et al. Dermatophyte (tinea) infections. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 7, 2010.
- Trevino J, et al. Tinea (dermatophyte) infections. American Academy of Dermatology. http://www.aad.org/education/students/Tineainfect.htm. Accessed Sept. 27, 2010.
- Augenbaugh W. Cutaneous fungal infections. In: Bope ET, et al. Conn's Current Therapy. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-6642-2..00013-2--sc0100&isbn=978-1-4160-6642-2&sid=1060046265&type=bookPage§ionEid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-6642-2..00013-2--s1795&uniqId=220345846-2#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-6642-2..00013-2--s1795. Accessed Sept. 27, 2010.
- Dermatophyte fungal infections. In: Habif TP. Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide to Diagnosis and Therapy. 5th ed. Edinburgh; New York, N.Y.: Mosby Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00022-5&isbn=978-0-7234-3541-9&sid=1060047096&type=bookPage§ionEid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00022-5--s0375&uniqId=220345846-3#4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00022-5--s0375. Accessed Sept. 28, 2010.
- Fungus infections: Tinea. American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. http://www.aocd.org/skin/dermatologic_diseases/fungus_infections.html. Accessed Sept. 29, 2010.
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