Athlete's Foot is a fungal infection that causes itching, burning and cracking skin, most commonly between your toes.

Highly contagious. To avoid passing on the condition to others, don’t share shoes, socks or towels, or walk barefoot in public places.

Most commonly, by walking barefoot around public swimming pools, changing rooms and saunas. And by sharing towels with infected people. Warm and moist environments such as trainers help the fungi to grow.

No, Athlete’s foot cannot be serious but complications could happen. The cracks in your skin will get wider, opening the door to bacterial infections which could be serious. You could also develop the moccasin type of infection or nail fungus, which take much longer to treat.

No. Anyone can get it. It’s just that sporty people are particularly vulnerable because they spend lots of time in hot, sweaty trainers – the perfect breeding-ground for Athlete’s Foot.

Try to keep your feet clean, and wash them regularly in warm, soapy water. Take particular care to dry them carefully − especially between the toes. Wash your trainers regularly too, and try not to wear the same shoes for days on end. And wear a clean pair of socks (cotton, not synthetic) every day.

 

Also, give your feet some breathing space every now and then during the day. They weren’t designed to be cooped up all day!

Certainly, but don’t give it to other people! Take extra care to clean and dry your feet after each session, wash and dry out your trainers, and wash your towels and socks. And don’t share your towels with anyone else, or walk around barefoot. Treat the condition as a matter of urgency!

With a ‘fungistatic’ cream or spray, which will inhibit and isolate the growth of the fungus, eventually resulting in its death as long as treatment continues to be used for the length of the time indicated on the pack.  Or with a fungicide like Lamisil® AT Cream, Gel or Spray or Lamisil Once®, which will attack and destroy the fungus.