Athlete’s foot is a common fungal infection that typically appears between the toes. The skin can be white or red, and often it peels away. The sensation can be hot or itchiness. It can be very unpleasant. It is common among runners. If the conditions allow, the fungus can flourish, causing the uncomfortable symptoms. Those conditions are if it’s moist and warm, much like a foot gets in a shoe and sock, during and after running. If you are experiencing athlete’s food, you can get over-the-counter treatments. These include creams, powders and sometimes pills too. If the infection looks serious, or the area is very hot and red (which is often harder to detect on black or brown skin), go to your GP. When you do have it, do not walk around barefoot. Wear flip flops to stop passing it on to others. Resist the urge to itch, or you could spread it to other parts of your body. Prevention is better than cure. Or, if you want to prevent yourself getting it again, there are a few simple things to do. Firstly, simple hygiene will go a long way. Make sure you wash your feet with soap when you have your shower or bath. Afterwards, dry your feet properly, even between the toes. But do not rub between your toes too vigorously. A crack in the skin may cause athlete’s foot. Make sure your feet are completely dry before putting your shoes and socks on. Do your feet turn white, soft with little holes in the skin when you run? You can also put your shoes in the washing machine on a low temperature (though double check the instructions on the label or via Google for your specific model of shoe). As soon as you finish training, change into a clean pair of socks and a different pair of shoes if possible. If you are on a long trail run, finishing far from home, consider packing a pair of flip flops for the journey home, so your feet have a chance to dry and cool down. Filipino’s HK4TUC spot caps journey from ‘fatty belly’ to ultra running addict There are plenty of brands of running socks that help your feet breathe, such as “smart wool” socks or bamboo socks. Compared to a pair that gets soaked and stays soaked, they will mitigate against getting athlete’s foot. If you are in a particularly hot country, or have a bad case of athlete’s foot, consider taking an extra pair of socks to work so you can change your socks in the middle of the day.