6 ways to prevent athlete's foot

Athlete's foot isn't just for gym enthusiasts. Regular folks can pick up this fungus before or after exercising, or even at home. These are some ways to protect yourself from getting infected.

• Athlete's foot fungus thrives wherever there's moisture and its favourite food: keratin, a substance found in human skin.
• The insides of your sweaty shoes and socks are ideal breeding grounds.
• Change your footwear after exercise or when you come home from work. Change your socks when they're damp.
• Don't wear the same shoes two days in a row.
• When you're at home, walk around barefoot or in clean socks.
• In summer, wear sandals.

• Foot protection is the best way to avoid the fungi in virtually all locker rooms and public showers.
• The fungus thrives in damp environments, and they love bare feet.
• In one study, Japanese researchers swabbed the soles of 140 people taking swimming classes at the University of Tsukuba. They found that 64 percent carried the fungus.

• It's nearly impossible to keep flip-flops on your feet while changing into your clothes, and socks may not offer enough protection.
• Researchers have found that foot fungus can easily travel between the fibres of cotton and nylon socks and attach itself to your skin.
• Wool socks and extremely thick cotton socks do keep fungus off your feet, but you'll wind up "infecting" your shoes.
• A better idea: take an extra towel and use it only as a floor mat. Then, throw it in the laundry and wash it in hot water.

• Dogs and cats can harbour hard-to-see fungal infections on their skin, which could be transmitted to you.
• In one study of 211 dogs, researchers found 89 fungal strains that can also infect humans.
• In the same study, 11 dog owners who had athlete's foot or jock itch were infected with the same strain carried by their pets.
• Look for areas of skin where fur is missing or ask your veterinarian to check your pet.

• If you get frequent infections, it's time to use antifungal sprays, powders and creams.
• In one study, 90 percent of those who used an antifungal cream containing butenafine saw infections clear up within a week. The infections stayed away for the next 11 months.
• Effective products contain terbinafin, tolnaftate and miconazole.

• If anyone in your house has signs of athlete's foot, they could be spreading the fungus around.
• Take family members who seem to have athlete's foot to the doctor to rule out other causes.
• If it's really athlete's foot, insist that the person use antifungal sprays or foot powders until the problem is gone.
• Disinfect the bathtub and bathroom floor regularly.
• Avoid sharing towels.
• Wash towels and sheets in hot water to kill the fungus.

Working out at the gym or pool is great for your whole body, from head to toe. But if you aren't taking steps to protect those toes, you may get more than you bargained for. Staying diligent and clean is the best way to keep your feet fungus-free.