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Skin conditions
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Athlete's foot prevention — Do sandals do anything?
Originally Published: June 09, 2000
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Dear Alice, I read your posting on athlete's foot, but have a prevention question: should I be wearing sandals in the shower at the gym? I've always thought of people who do as uptight, American-style germaphobes, folks who shower three times a day, put toilet paper over the toilet seat, and only hold onto subway railings when they're wearing gloves, but I also don't want to have itchy feet. What's the risk, and how good are sandals at reducing it?
Dear Reader, Since the fungi that cause athlete's foot can thrive in moist environments, including gym showers, it's not a bad idea to slip on the sandals rather than go barefoot. Besides public showers, flip-flop your feet when walking around locker rooms, areas surrounding swimming pools, and spas, too. The sandals can provide a protective barrier between your feet and potentially infectious surfaces, decreasing the likelihood for getting athlete's foot and other skin diseases. Regular disinfection of the floors of these public places is an added measure that can be useful in limiting athlete's foot transmission as well. And of course, making sure your feet and the areas between your toes are dry and/or well ventilated always helps. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, contrary to popular belief, athlete's foot is not highly contagious. Why else would one household member have it and others remain athlete's foot free? However, the reason why some people are more prone to infection than others is unclear. Yes, for more information, read the related Q&As listed below.
Related Q&As |
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