references
  
      American Academy of Dermatology Association: “How To Prevent Athlete's Foot”
    
      Mayo Clinic: “Athlete's foot”

Is this an emergency? If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the National Library of Medicine’s list of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911.

If your athlete's foot is not healing, your after-shower routine may be to blame.

Image Credit: Drazen_/E+/GettyImages

Image Credit: Drazen_/E+/GettyImages

“Keeping the toenails short prevents fungus from entering under the toenail from the surrounding skin,” Dr. Lobkova says. So, what’s an ideal toenail length? Trim the nails just above the white line using nail clippers, and then use a thin nail file to file down the corners, so that the sharp edges don’t break the skin, Dr. Lobkova says.

So, what’s an ideal toenail length? Trim the nails just above the white line using nail clippers, and then use a thin nail file to file down the corners, so that the sharp edges don’t break the skin, Dr. Lobkova says.

“It’s important to keep the feet and the surfaces touching the feet clean and dry,” Dr. Lobkova says. Here are a few of her top strategies to do just that:

Alternate the shoes you wear every day to ensure they stay dry. (If you’re in the market for new shoes, see our top picks for walking shoes and running shoes.) Wash sneakers, insoles and socks regularly with color-safe bleach. If shoes are not washable (like leather loafers), open them, remove the insole if possible and place them to dry in the sun at least weekly. Use UV-light shoe sterilizers for all shoes (especially leather, because they’re not machine-washable) to dry out the inside of the shoes, which can harbor unpleasant bacteria, viruses and fungi. If your feet tend to sweat a lot during daily wear, choose sneakers or shoes made of a breathable air mesh upper and/or breathable rubber soles.

  • Alternate the shoes you wear every day to ensure they stay dry. (If you’re in the market for new shoes, see our top picks for walking shoes and running shoes.)
  • Wash sneakers, insoles and socks regularly with color-safe bleach.
  • If shoes are not washable (like leather loafers), open them, remove the insole if possible and place them to dry in the sun at least weekly.
  • Use UV-light shoe sterilizers for all shoes (especially leather, because they’re not machine-washable) to dry out the inside of the shoes, which can harbor unpleasant bacteria, viruses and fungi.
  • If your feet tend to sweat a lot during daily wear, choose sneakers or shoes made of a breathable air mesh upper and/or breathable rubber soles.

To help athlete’s foot heal, show your feet some love in the shower. “It’s important to specifically wash the feet after we wash our bodies,” Dr. Lobkova says. And make sure you scrub between the toes, too. Dr. Lobkova also advises “using soap or body wash with tea tree oil, because it is naturally antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral.”

Dr. Lobkova also advises “using soap or body wash with tea tree oil, because it is naturally antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral.”

And try these additional measures to keep your feet dry and free of fungus:

Whenever you’re in public or shared spaces, always wear shoes or flip-flops (even when showering at the gym).

Wear socks made of Merino wool, which is a natural material (unlike synthetic microfiber) that wicks away moisture from the foot, Dr. Lobkova says. Try bands like Smartwool or Darn Tough.

Lose the lotion and opt for over-the-counter fungal creams to effectively treat athlete’s foot, Dr. Lobkova says. And if you’re having difficulty distinguishing dry patches from fungal-based scaling on your feet, see a podiatrist who can properly assess and diagnose your issue.

Save the bleach to wash your socks, Dr. Lobkova says. And if you’re looking for a home-based cure, try soaking your feet in vinegar or Epsom salt instead.

      American Academy of Dermatology Association: “How To Prevent Athlete's Foot”
    
      Mayo Clinic: “Athlete's foot”