Preventing Skin and Nail Infections

What do athlete’s foot, warts and fungal toenails all have in common? They are all spread by coming in direct contact with the fungus or virus that causes the infection. At Southern Maryland Foot & Ankle, we believe in being proactive about foot health. Although none of these conditions present a serious medical threat (unless you are a patient with diabetes or other disease where wounds or ulcers are dangerous), they can be painful and irritating. Left untreated, they can also spread to other areas of your foot or body.

Fortunately, there are some simple ways that you can help prevent fungal infections:

• Practice good hygiene. Wash your feet every day with soap and water and then dry your feet before putting on socks and shoes.

• Don’t share. Avoid slipping on your friend’s flip flops or even using the same towel that someone else has used to dry off. Anything that touches someone’s foot has the potential of passing an infection on to you.

• Avoid going barefoot. Public pools, gyms, changing areas and showers, nail salons are all places where you should keep something between your feet and the floor. Fungi love damp locations and can live on floors and other surfaces for quite a while.

• Stay dry. Use an anti-fungal foot powder to keep feet dry and help fend off infections. If you tend to sweat profusely, change your socks in the middle of the day. Always wash socks inside out to get rid of dead skin flakes that can still harbor fungi.

• Rotate your footwear. Try not to wear the same shoes two days in a row and never re-use socks. Choose open shoes when possible and ones made of breathable materials for maximum air circulation.

Symptoms of fungal infections include discolorations of the nails or skin, itching, flaking, redness and sometimes blisters or sores. Most fungal infections can be diagnosed by sight by our board certified foot doctor, Larry Hotchkiss, DPM. Don’t risk giving the infection to someone else. Make an appointment at our Clinton or Waldorf office if you notice any changes to the skin on your feet or your toenails.