Athlete's foot is a common fungal infection that can lead to irritations such as cracked skin, itching, redness and scaling. It can occur on moist, waterlogged skin, usually between the fourth and fifth toes, or on dry, flaky skin around the heels or elsewhere on the foot.
It is caused by a number of fungal species that you can pick up from someone else shedding infected skin. This can typically happen in areas you walk around barefoot such as communal swimming pools, showers or changing rooms.
The fungal infection can thrive in moist, warm environments such as sweaty trainers or shoes however, it is also common during the summer months where the sun can dry your feet out and cause the natural protective oils of the foot to reduce.
You can help to reduce your chances of catching athlete's foot by:
- Changing your footwear daily to allow shoes to dry out. Taking out the insoles and opening up the laces help to circulate air within the shoe.
- Changing socks daily.
- Choosing a shoe with a wider, deeper toe box to allow air to circulate.
- Wear flip flops in a public bathroom or shower.
- Do not wear other people's footwear.
- Take your shoes off when you're at home.
