Once you develop a fungal infection on the foot, it can be very difficult to get rid of it completely and keep it from coming back. Read these tips to help you get rid of a foot fungal infection on the feet once and for all.
- Wear the right shoes. Damp environments encourage fungus to grow. Unfortunately, a sweaty shoe is just the kind of moist, poorly ventilated area that fungus love. Choose shoes that are breathable, and rotate which pair you wear so that they can dry out completely between wearing. If your feet tend to get very sweaty, change your socks frequently throughout the day. Choose sock fabrics that are designed to wick moisture away from the body. If the infection is affecting the area between your toes, it helps to try to keep those places dry. You can place gauze or cotton pads between the toes to help absorb any moisture. Change those dressings several times a day. You can also use foot powder to absorb moisture.
- Take care of your immune system. When your immune system is weak, it can’t fight off infections. Eat healthily, and ask your GP or pharmacist if taking a vitamin supplement would help. Avoid processed foods, and choose fresh fruits and vegetables, instead.
- Get enough exercise. Your body has a harder time responding to infections in your feet as compared to other parts of the body because the feet have poorer blood circulation. Exercise will increase your blood circulation and strengthen your immune system. You don’t have to do intense exercise that will make your feet sweaty in order for the exercise to be effective. Try walking at a comfortable pace while wearing breathable, supportive shoes & proper socks.
- Use tea tree oil. Tea tree oil has natural anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. Studies have shown that it is quite effective in relieving Athlete’s foot. Apply tea tree oil to the affected areas twice daily.
- Avoid exposure to fungus. Once you have had a foot fungus, you are at risk for re-infection. Public places like locker rooms and swimming pools are breeding grounds for foot fungus because the ground tends to be damp and people often go barefoot. Protect yourself by always wearing shoes, even if you just slip on flip-flops to wear around the locker room. If you live in a dormitory or share a shower, wear shoes in the shower and when you go back and forth to the bathroom.
- Don’t wear nail polish when you have a fungal infection on your feet. You may be tempted to cover up the infection with nail polish, but doing so will make it worse. Applying nail polish traps moisture against the toe nail, which exacerbates the infection.
- Be sure that any tools you use to care for your toe nails are clean and sterile. If you go to a salon for a pedicure, bring your own tools and ask the pedicurist to use them. The best time of day to go to a salon for a pedicure is first thing in the morning, right after the salon has opened. This is when the foot tubs and tools are cleanest. Although the equipment is wiped down between guests, it is not cleaned as thoroughly as it is at the end of each day.
If you struggle with a fungal infection of the foot, it is important to wear supportive, breathable shoes & good quality socks that are made with moisture wicking materials. Stop by Foot Solutions UK to check out our selection of footwear & socks.
