How To Get Rid Of Athlete's Foot

Athlete's foot is a sneaky foe. It lives in the moist environments that you frequent to get clean like a shower, spa, or bathtub. Of course you don't expect to get attacked while at your most vulnerable but the reality is this fungus is easily transferable and not going to stop messing with human beings anytime soon thus preparation is your best defense. Luckily I got your back bro. Here are some tips on how to prevent and get rid of athlete's foot that work most of the time. How do I know about this? What makes me an expert? Read on...

As an athlete's foot survivor and knuckle headed slow learner I am experience with battling this itchy enemy since the 1990s. My first encounter was in college. Our fraternity house bathroom was a disaster going on roaped off, guys in chemical suits hazmat zone. 15 guys and only 3 shower stalls created a perfect incubator for many unidentified bacterial strains that amazingly did not deter return customers, shower hookups, or the occasional party that put this lavatory nightmare on display. One of the most common results of showering in this contaminated environment was contracting athletes foot which causes itchy, flaky, and scaly skin. Though you could be a 250 lb. couch potato with fitness habits that rival Al Roker's circa 1999, you could still catch the fungal infection commonly associated with athletes that work up a good sweat. Even after medicated help from over the counter topical creams you might be susceptible to catching the itchy nuisance again because of its continual reintroduction as was the case of young Barcos who knew no better.

This is a guide for the newbies out there perhaps contemplating gym memberships or entrance into a halfway home who will eventually be exposed to conditions favoring fungus-es like because of communal showering conditions. The following few steps are the best known preventive measures to protect you precious feet but may not be the most effective and certainly do not grant immunity. Use at your own risk!

1. Wear Shower Shoes: Shower shoes or flip flops add a layer of protection between your feet and shower floors. Normally bathrooms are moist and warm creating the perfect environment for funguses to thrive on surfaces not kept completely dry. Shower shoes are the first step to avoiding direct contact with areas potentially harboring this enemy of your tosies.

2. Dry Your Feet: If you're like me you're constantly on the run because life is simply just too busy. So many beers, not enough time! Sometimes bathing becomes a NASCAR-like pit stop that is performed with a stopwatch in mind. It is crucial to take your time drying off especially when it comes to your feet. Putting a pair of socks and then shoes on without careful drying is like adding tequila to a biker party. Something crazy is going to happen and if it's not a breakout of fungus foot then it's leather vest brawl that ends with an episode of Cops.

3. Use Medicated Powders or Sprays: The good folks at Dr. Scholls have created a vast array of products aimed at helping us fight the fungus battle. Using a medicated spray or powder after drying your feet can add yet another layer of protection while killing any fungus that may have already climbed aboard.

4. Rotate Your Shoes: I have 2 pairs of tennis shoes I regularly workout in. If you sweat like me then you'll probably also need at least two pairs because your shoes absorb a ton of sweat and quite a while to dry because of the materials used to pad your foot. Rotating shoes can give them an opportunity to air out decreasing fungus's ability to reproduce.

5. Avoid Filthy Bathing Environments: Stuck in the fraternity house because the dorms were just too expensive I was unfortunately forced to hose off in a cess pit. If you are able to avoid filthy bathing environments you'll give yourself a better chance at avoiding this whole problem altogether. I mean imagine the very worst showering places you can think of... prison, homeless shelter, garbage man locker room. Enough said!

If you failed to prevent the beast from possessing your precious footsies you have to perform an exorcism on these fungal demons. Part 2 of this hub focuses on the cure for what aisles you.

6: Buy Over The Counter Medications: Go to your local Walgreens, CVS, or Rite Aid and pick up the athlete's foot medications that make sense to you. Ingredients like miconazole or tolnaftate are badass fungi killers that you want to look for in creams and powders. Washes and liquid treatments are also available. Whatever remedy you choose stick with the dosage directions so as not to end treatment too early or be too liberal or too conservative with dosages so as to ensure success.

7. Refrain From Over Exposure To Moisture Producing Activities: This is similar to the prevention tips but in all honesty if your feet are raging itch mongers you'll probably not want to run marathons or wrestle hobos for awhile. Keeping your feet dry until you are confident that the athlete's foot scorge has subsided. Focus on gaining back your health before trying to get super sweaty.

8. See The Doctor: If you try the above and think your symptoms are getting worse don't be afraid to see the doctor. Perhaps you need an oral medication or just need lasers to burn off your epidermis.Just Kidding about the latter.

No matter what you do, stay diligent and carry these lessons forward. Athlete's foot is here to stay but you now have some tools to help fight this fungal terror.