Ever been faced with the inconvenient menace of athletes foot? If so, then you understand how frustrating and inconvenient it is. In this article, the methods of how to remove athlete’s foot in shoes are presented to help you keep your feet in good condition.

You might experience some discomfort with athlete’s foot, but there is no need to panic – we are here for you! We will discuss what leads to it, how it can be avoided, and finally, how your shoes can be cared for to avoid the fungal infection.

If you need shoes that can offer you the best protection against foot infections such as this fungal infection, then Vessi should be your choice. As for Vessi shoes, all of them are waterproof, comfortable, and elegant to help your feet stay at their best. Besides, all of them have antibacterial insoles to prevent growth of fungus and bacteria in the shoes.

But for now, let’s keep your feet happy and healthy by avoiding any fungus!

What Is Athlete's Foot?

Image Credits: intermountainhealthcare.org

Athlete's foot is a fungal infection of the skin on the feet. This is commonly known as athlete’s foot but its medical term is tinea pedis and it is brought about by fungal spores known as dermatophytes which thrive in the warm and moist conditions offered by shoes. If you noticed skin irritation, redness, and scaliness on your feet at one point or another, you might have suffered from this condition.

The infection manifests in three ways:

• Interdigital (toe web) athlete's foot: This is the most prevalent type of tinea pedis and affects the feet between the toes, especially in the area between the 4th and the 5th toes. The skin may turn into different colors ranging from redness to brown and may become rough or scaly, and may start to blister or crack. At other times, the skin becomes soft and slimy and even gives off an bad smell.

• Moccasin-type athlete's foot targets the soles of the feet and can also spread to the heels and sides. The skin develops symptoms such as roughness, itching, and scaling resembling a moccasin pattern. The skin is prone to thickening and cracking, which would cause further discomfort and pain over time. Moccasin-type tinea pedis can also affect your toenails making them become thick, brownish, and brittle.

• Vesicular (blisters) athlete's foot: This is rather rare and manifests as bubble like formations on the feet. These blisters can be quite uncomfortable and may be located on the soles, between the toes, or even the top surface of the feet. This kind of foot fungus can also occur in conjunction with a bacterial infection, leading to the development of red, swollen blisters filled with pus.

Keeping your feet clean and dry is your best approach to prevent athlete's foot and other infections like toenail fungus. As mentioned, fungal infections like these thrive in damp, dark places, so taking care of your feet and shoes is crucial.

But how can this fungus spread through shoes? Well, when your shoes are damp it creates an environment for fungi spores to thrive in hence developing a mold. What this means is that if one is not careful, the infection can easily move from the feet to the shoes and then vice versa. Here are some things you can avoid in order not to develop this skin condition:

How to Prevent Athlete's Foot Fungus

Image Credits: footandanklegroup.com

Since it is easy to catch athlete's foot, it helps to know how to prevent it from happening in the first place. Here are our best tips:

1. Prioritize clean and dry feet

Ensuring that your feet are clean and dry is very important at all times. Clean your feet daily with soap and water and make sure you dry them up properly – especially the areas between the toes. On the same note, do not wear the same socks for long, especially when they are damp or sweaty since this creates conducive environment for fungus.

2. Choose breathable footwear

Choose shoes with proper uppers for your feet to breathe in. With Vessi shoes, no need to worry about any of them! Some of the features include waterproofing, breathability of footwear, and the general ability to keep feet dry. This is achieved by the special design as it allows circulation of air to your feet hence preventing the growth of athlete’s foot.

3. Protect your feet in public areas

Do not go out without shoes on, especially in areas such as swimming pools and changing rooms. Despite this, these places are potential breeding grounds for some fungi, this means that it is advisable to wear some form of shoe such as flip-flops/ water shoes when showering.

4. Air out your shoes

Airing the shoes is very important when it comes to the hygiene aspect of the shoe. Another thing you can do is to allow your shoes some time off by removing the insoles and let it take a break, especially if it was worn throughout the day or a rigorous exercise routine.

5. Exercise caution in shared spaces

When one of the members of the household has athlete’s foot, you will have to be even more careful. For instance, never wear shoes, socks, or share towels; ensure that shower and bathroom floor bare the spores through washing on a daily basis.

6. Avoid wearing the same shoe daily

Doing so can trap moisture and create a breeding ground for fungi. Alternating between pairs gives your shoes enough time to air out and dry completely. Also, store your shoes in a dry and ventilated place. Doing so prevents moisture buildup, which can lead to fungal growth.

7. Wear moisture-wicking socks

To reduce the likelihood of fungus developing in your socks, fabrics such as synthetic fibres, wool, and bamboo should be used since they can absorb moisture away from the skin thereby decreasing chances of fungal growth. Most of the times, do not wear cotton socks since they help in absorbing moisture and creating a favorable condition for fungi.

Effective Cleaning Techniques to Disinfect Shoes

Image Credits: shoewash.ca

The primary remedy for this foot fungus is keeping your feet and shoes clean and dry. So, how can you clean your pair of shoes for the best foot health? Follow these simple cleaning steps to eliminate the fungus and mitigate athlete's foot symptoms:

Step 1: Remove insoles and laces

To begin with, take out insoles and laces that are used to fasten your shoes. This will make cleaning all the nooks and crannies where the spores of fungus could possibly be concealed easier.

Step 2: Mix a cleaning solution

Take some mild washing powder and warm water and fill a basin or sink with it. Do not clean your shoes with chemicals or bleach since they may harm the shoes.

Step 3: Gently scrub your shoes

Clean the inside and outside of your shoes using a soft brush; this should be done intently on areas that may have had contact with the fungus. This will assist in eradicating any remaining fungal spores to avoid reoccurrence of the disease.

Step 4: Rinse thoroughly

After washing your shoes, make sure to rinse them with water so that all the soap residue is washed away. Make sure that no soap residue is left as this might lead to buildup of the fungus due to the remaining detergent.

Step 5: Dry your shoes

Allow for the shoes to air-dry and do not leave them in the sun or under heat sources to avoid fading and shrinking of the material. Having a fan nearby is also important because this aids in the faster drying of the shoes.

Step 6: Clean insoles and laces

Remember to clean the laces and insoles separately. Soak them in the cleaning solution, scrub gently, rinse thoroughly, and let them air dry.

Step 7: Use antifungal spray (optional)

To further enhance the protection, the inside of the cleaned and dried shoes can be treated using an antifungal spray. This can help prevent the occurrence of future fungal infections. Some products that may be worth investing in include UV shoe sanitizers for eradication of fungus and bacteria within a few minutes.

How to Treat Athlete's Foot

Image Credits: modernfellows.com

Are you already suffering from this foot fungus? Here are the things that can be done for the remedy of this condition for athletes.

Tip 1: Explore over-the-counter remedies

There are different medications that can be bought at the counter that are helpful in fighting the infection. Anti-fungal powders, creams, or sprays that have clotrimazole, miconazole, or terbinafine should be applied to combat the fungus. Stick to instructions and use the treatment for the prescribed time to ensure good results.

Tip 2: Try home remedies

Here are some homemade treatments to help alleviate athlete's foot:

• Make a foot powder from cornstarch or baking soda to absorb moisture and reduce the growth of fungi.

• Use bitter orange oil: This oil is good for treating fungal infections and can be diluted with a carrier oil (like coconut oil) and used topically.

• Add baking soda to a foot soak to help neutralize odour and reduce fungal growth.

• Apply talcum powder to your feet to keep them dry and reduce moisture, which can inhibit fungal growth.

Tip 3: Seek prescription treatments

In some cases, even if the primary course of action is in the form of home remedies and OTC treatments, the infection persists. However, if the athlete’s foot fails to clear up as expected or worsens, it is advisable to seek the services of a healthcare provider. Depending on the severity of the fungal infection, they may recommend a more potent topical or oral antifungal medication.

When using prescription treatments, it is always advisable to abide by the doctor’s instructions. Take all your prescribed medications to completion even if the symptoms of your illness are no longer apparent. This will guarantee that the illness is no longer prevailing and minimizes the probability of re-emergence.

Tip 4: Wear the right shoes

When dealing with infected feet, here are some key shoe considerations to keep in mind:

1. Choose materials such as mesh or leather to allow free airflow and avoid having sweaty feet.

2. It is also advisable not to wear shoes that have a narrow toe box or have high heels. These designs can worsen conditions such as blisters and calluses in the affected areas.

3. Try to buy shoes with better arch support and shock absorption to help ease the pressure on your feet.

4. Check your shoes are comfortable and not too tight around the shoe as this will cause friction and blisters.

Here are some examples of shoes suitable for infected feet:

• Breathable mesh sneakers

• Leather shoes, like loafers or oxfords

• Supportive and cushioned running shoes

• Wide-width shoes to accommodate swelling or bandages

• Wear sandals with a secure fit and good arch support

Keep Your Shoes Fresh and Fungus-Free with Vessi Insoles

Image Credits: packhacker.com

At Vessi, we have the best solution for preventing sweaty feet and infected shoes: our antibacterial insoles! These insoles also help in preventing the growth of fungi and bacteria because they are an extra layer.

They are designed to prevent microbial growth so they prevent foot and shoe odour while keeping the feet fresh. When worn in shoes, these insoles will offer another barrier to prevent fungal infections from penetrating deeper in your feet.

Kicking Athlete's Foot to the Curb: Our Final Thoughts

Therefore, preventing athlete’s foot from affecting your feet requires knowledge of the disease and practices of cleaning the feet and keeping them healthy. The provided recommendations help to lower the risk of fungus with the help of such measures as wearing proper footwear and shoe sanitation.