When feet spend the day suffocated in shoes and socks, they become sweaty, smelly, and the ideal carriers for a wide variety of different types of minuscule germs. Some of these microorganisms wait patiently on the floor tiles of dressing rooms and changing areas in swimming pools. When they invade vulnerable feet, they can end up causing a red, itchy condition known as athlete's foot. If you think an athlete's foot is solely among athletes or that it just afflicts men, continue on to discover why those and other misconceptions regarding athlete's foot are all myths.
MISCONCEPTION 1: JUST SPORTSMEN COULD GET ATHLETE'S FOOT.
One might claim that an athlete's foot is one small revenge for pro athletes' seven-figure wages and lavish lifestyles. The only thing is, you don't have to be a professional athlete, or even an athlete at all, to get this foot infection. It can happen to anyone. An athlete's foot is named because of the fungal disease that causes it to hang out in locations sportspeople common, like showers and dressing rooms. However, infection is possible for anyone who comes into contact with that fungus. The fungus that causes an athlete's foot thrives in dark, damp places. Wet shoes and socks are the perfect habitats for these little critters. Your feet are safe inside shoes or socks -- as long as you keep them dry. Otherwise, let those toes out in the air.
MISCONCEPTION 2 SHOWERING CAN PREVENT ATHLETE'S FOOT
The fungus that causes an athlete's foot thrives in dark, damp places. Wet shoes and socks are the perfect habitats for these little critters. Your feet are safe inside shoes or socks -- as long as you keep them dry. Otherwise, let those toes out in the air.
MISCONCEPTION 3: THE ATHLETE'S FOOT WILL CLEAR UP ON ITS OWN.
Without treatment, an athlete's foot will make your feet even itchier and more miserable. It can also become a more serious infection if you don't take care of it. Antifungal creams such as Achilles foot treatment are the best treatments for athlete's feet.
MISCONCEPTION4: YOU CAN STOP USING THE CREAM AS SOON AS YOUR SYMPTOMS IMPROVE.
To prevent the athlete's foot from returning, keep using the cream for the length of time your naturopath or doctor recommended.
MISCONCEPTION 5: ONCE YOU TREAT AN ATHLETE'S FOOT, IT'S GONE FOR GOOD.
If only that were true. Even after it's been treated, an athlete's foot can reappear if you don't take steps to prevent it.
MISCONCEPTION 6: THE ATHLETE'S FOOT WILL CLEAR UP ON ITS OWN.
Without treatment, an athlete's foot will make your feet even itchier and more miserable. It can also become a more serious infection if you don't take care of it. Antifungal creams and pills are the best treatments for athletes’ feet.
MISCONCEPTION 7: YOU CAN STOP USING MEDICINE AS SOON AS YOUR SYMPTOMS IMPROVE.
To prevent the athlete's foot from returning, keep using the medicine for the length of time your doctor recommended.
MISCONCEPTION 8: ONCE YOU TREAT AN ATHLETE'S FOOT, IT'S GONE FOR GOOD.
If only that were true. Even after it's been treated, an athlete's foot can reappear if you don't take steps to prevent it.
MISCONCEPTION 9: ATHLETE'S FOOT ISN'T THE SAME AS JOCK ITCH.
Basically, an athlete's foot and jock itch are caused by the same fungus (called tinea), which tends to leave scaly areas on the skin's surface. On the feet, tinea infection is termed athlete's foot. In the groin area, it's called jock itch.
MISCONCEPTION 10: TAKING REGULAR SHOWERS WILL PROTECT YOU FROM GETTING ATHLETE'S FOOT.
Taking a shower is one of the activities that can lead to an athlete's foot. Step into a changing room or pool shower with bare feet, and you can pick up the condition. Showering alone won't clear up the fungus that causes athlete's foot — no matter how carefully you wash between your toes. Yet keeping your feet clean and dry can help prevent this fungus from recurring.
MISCONCEPTION 11: ONLY PEOPLE WITH POOR HYGIENE GET ATHLETE'S FOOT.
There is no correlation between cleanliness and athlete's foot. Even if you wash your feet with soap and water multiple times a day, you can get athlete's foot — especially if you don't dry your feet thoroughly after each washing.
MISCONCEPTION 12: YOU CAN ONLY GET AN ATHLETE'S FOOT BY WALKING BAREFOOT IN AREAS WHERE THE FUNGUS LIVES.
Athlete's feet can be contracted in several different ways; however, one of them is by going barefoot in a public shower or changing room. You can also become infected if you share a towel, socks, or shoes with someone with an athlete's foot.
MISCONCEPTION 13: IF YOU DON'T HAVE PEELING SKIN BETWEEN YOUR TOES, IT'S NOT ATHLETE'S FOOT.
Athlete's feet can look different for each person. Some people do get peeling or cracking skin between their toes. Some get redness or dryness on the bottom of their feet that appear much like dry skin. If you need help with what's going on with your feet, see a podiatrist or doctor.
MISCONCEPTION 14: ATHLETE'S FOOT EXCLUSIVELY AFFECTS THE FEET.
Athlete's foot can spread if you scratch the itch and then touch other regions of your body, particularly your groin (jock itch) and the skin under your arms. It is also possible for it to spread to other regions of your body if the bedding or clothing you are wearing is contaminated.
MISCONCEPTION 15: YOU CAN'T GET ATHLETE'S FOOT IF YOUR FEET ARE COVERED IN SHOES AND SOCKS ALL DAY.
The fungus causes athlete's foot to grow in dark, moist environments. Wet shoes and socks are the perfect environments for these small animals. Your feet are safe inside shoes or socks — as long as you keep them dry. Otherwise, let those toes out in the air.