“I suffer from athlete's foot and that's why I don't dare to wear open shoes anymore. What can I do about this?”
Druggist Linda's Expert Advice
Athlete's foot affects countless people, causing itching, cracking, unpleasant odors, and an unsightly appearance. The good news? Your local drugstore stocks effective over-the-counter remedies, and with the right guidance, you can treat it yourself. As a certified druggist, I'll explain how athlete's foot—also known as swimmer's eczema—develops and how to tackle it.
How Do You Get Athlete's Foot?
The fungus thrives on feet (often between the toes) when they're kept moist for too long. It's commonly picked up during sports, swimming, or in communal barefoot areas like pools or gyms. Highly contagious in damp environments, it begins with flaking, redness, and itching where skin softens. Scratching or tearing allows bacteria to enter, leading to odor. Those with skin conditions, diabetes, or weakened immunity are especially vulnerable. Visit a drugstore with the Certified Specialist in Self-Care quality mark for personalized product recommendations and usage instructions—so you can enjoy summer slippers worry-free.
How Do You Treat Athlete's Foot?
Most OTC treatments feature clotrimazole or miconazole, which halt fungal growth (but don't kill the fungus outright). Terbinafine-based products do eliminate it, though they're not suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding and should only be used for up to a week until healing. Apply clotrimazole or miconazole for 3-4 weeks, continuing even after symptoms fade to eradicate all fungi. These same agents work on fungal nails, another fungal issue.
Tips to Prevent Athlete's Foot
Wear flip-flops in pools or gyms, wash feet daily with minimal soap to preserve skin's natural acidity, and dry thoroughly—especially between toes. Rotate shoes daily for complete drying, opting for leather, linen, or open styles.
Prevent Re-Contamination
Change into fresh cotton socks daily for breathability. Wash them inside out to remove skin flakes thoroughly. Lingering dander in shoes and socks is the main reinfection source, so a miconazole-based sprinkle powder is ideal for stubborn cases—dust it into shoes and socks daily. For early fungal nails, miconazole nail polish penetrates cuticles effectively. Also, discard old nail polishes used on infected nails, avoid sharing, and stock up on new shades for those summery sandals.
Meet Linda
Linda is a certified druggist at a Certified Specialist in Self-Care drugstore—the quality mark ensuring reliable OTC advice. Find nearby locations and what to expect at www.erkendspecialistinzelfzorg.nl.
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