Treating and preventing athlete’s foot for runners – is it red or white and itchy between the toes?
- It is common to develop athlete’s foot if you are frequently exercising, especially in a hot country, but it is easily prevented or treated
- Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that can develop between your toes because of the hot, moist environment
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.
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).