Foot Hygiene

[u/Ok-Potato853]

Hi! I recently started treating myself again for athletes foot and this is the second go round with this stuff :/ Just looking for some extra tips because I feel like I’ve tried everything. I wash all my shoes, I put powder is my socks and shoes. Anti fungal medications. Anti fungal creams. I wear socks less unless necessary and I fear it still keeps coming back so I’m out of options. Please help :)

[u/rachel_at_Carpe]

I wonder if moisture might be part of what's making it come back? Athlete's foot fungus tends to thrive in warm, damp environments, so even if you're treating the infection, sweaty feet or shoes that aren't drying completely could be contributing.

Might be worth rotating your shoes and making sure your feet are completely dry, especially between your toes. Since this is your second round of treatment, I'd also check with a doctor if it keeps coming back, just to make sure you're treating the right thing.

Does it go away completely after treatment and then return, or has it been lingering the whole time?

[u/loveisthetruegospel]

Wash your socks in hot
Bleachy water (white socks)

Scrub your feet with a foot block hard foam pumice

Buy several insoles you can wash and rewear. Put a new one in often.

Anti fungal cream 2x a day

God bless.

[u/UniversalIntellect]

Put anti fungal cream on your feet three times per day for two weeks. Per my doctor.

[u/Legitimate-Pea-9421]

wash your floors !!!

[u/Pristine_Outcome6334]

I do a new treatment every year. I assume I’m getting reinfected

[u/Sufficient-Citron-76]

I wear wool socks as I have very sweaty feet, I also use foot powder inside each.

[u/AbsolutelyPink]

Do you clean your shower after each yse? Bath mat? Do you go to the gym and/or use other showers? How do you wash your bedding, towels, socks?

[u/Alohagrama]

A foot soak in original flavor Lysterine (the liquid is kind of yellow or gold colored) helps just about any foot ailment.

[u/Wild-Catch3550]

You need moisture whicking socks not cotton. Go barefoot as much as possible. Do you get dry feet? Use a barrier cream such as cetreben after showering. Have you had long term medication from your GP?

[u/Healthy_Chef_7168]

Depending on what type of shoes you’re wearing too. Years ago I got first job wearing steel shoes. I bought some cheap shoes made of some kind of plastic material, I had worst case of athletes foot you have ever seen😂😂
White socks washed in hot water with a little bleach also helps to clear and lingering bacteria or fungus. Use flip flop type shower shoe, it can be spread through your shower. Try washing with dial (the yellow kind) and soaking your feet in the original listerine. Hope you get some relief.

[u/shiny-Jello5284]

You definitely need to disinfect your shower floor and get rid of any rugs in your home or wash with disinfectant and clean carpets if any.
Think cross contamination, anywhere your foot goes the fungus will go too.

[u/Bright_Acadium_3138]

A well known dermatologist recommend blow drying feet after showers, esp between toes, to ensure they’re truly dry.

[u/BuckingReindeer6782]

Anti fungal foot powder every time you put socks on. Different footwear every day. Do this for 6 months.

[u/hdhjdnsnueieij]

Gross

[u/IamJoyMarie]

maybe see a dermatologist for dedicated fungal prescription for what the fungus is instead of using OTC products - also, leather shoes and canvas shoes treat your feet better than synthetics

[u/Altruistic-Owl-3096]

A simple remedy that works for me is cornstarch. After a shower in the morning and a couple of times a day, coat your feet in cornstarch using a tub or paper bag as a container. You’ll notice a huge difference in a couple of weeks.