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When the weather turns nasty in Iowa, many exercise-minded people turn to health clubs to run, swim, lift weights, sweat. This is a good thing. A consistent exercise program is the best program.
But sometimes your good intentions can be ambushed. Athlete's foot can hide in the damp areas of the public showers and pool areas. Athlete's foot affects the soles of your feet, the areas between your toes, and may spread to your toenails. "These moist, sweaty areas are good environments for the fungal infection that causes athlete's foot," says Ned Amendola, M.D., director of UI Sports Medicine. Symptoms include itching, burning, redness, and stinging on the soles of your feet. The skin between your toes may peel, blister, or crack.
Athlete's foot is not limited to your feet. It can spread to other chronically moist or perspiring areas such as your hands, groin, and underarms if you touch your infected feet and then touch other areas of your body. "Athlete's foot is not limited to athletes. Anyone, particularly workers or farmers wearing work boots for long periods of time, can get it. Anyone whose feet are exposed to wet, damp conditions or who has sweaty feet can get this fungal skin infection," says Amendola.
How do you protect yourself? After work, exercise, or after using a public shower, be sure to use a clean, dry towel to dry your feet thoroughly. If you've got sweaty feet, rotate your shoes-don't wear the same shoes all the time. Wear socks that let the moisture wick away from your feet. Generally, over-the-counter antifungal creams and sprays solve the problem. If your case of athlete's foot hasn't cleared up in two weeks, see your physician.
For more information about athlete's foot and treatments available at UI Hospitals and Clinics, call UI Health Access, 319-384-8442, ext. 105, or 800-777-8442, ext. 105.
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