Remove dead skin.
When the acute phase of the attack has settled down, says Dr. Hass, you need to remove any dead skin. “It houses living fungi that can reinfect you. At bath time, work the entire foot lightly but vigorously with a bristle scrub brush. Pay extra attention to spaces between toes - use a small bottle brush or test- tube brush there.” If you scrub your feet in the bathtub, shower afterward to wash away any bits of skin that could attach themselves to other parts of the body and start an infection there.
Pay attention to toenails.
Toenails are favorite breeding spots for the fungus, says Dr. Hass. He advises that you scrape the undersides clean at least every second or third day. Be sure to use an orange stick, toothpick, or wooden match rather than a metal nail file, which could scratch the nails and provide niches for the fungus to collect in.
Keep applying cream.
Once your infection has cleared up, says Dr. Goodman, you can help guard against its return by continuing to use (less often) the antifungal cream or lotion that cured your problem. This is especially prudent during warm weather. Use your own judgment in working up a schedule-anywhere from once a day to once a week.
Choose proper shoes.
Avoid both plastic shoes and footwear that has been treated to keep water out, says Dr. Copeland. They trap perspiration and create a warm, moist spot for the fungus to grow: Dermatologist Diana Bihova, M.D., a clinical instructor of dermatology at New York University Medical Center in New York City, recommends that you steer clear of any tight, snug, or unventilated footwear and that you never wear boots all day. “Natural materials such as cotton and leather create the best environment for feet, while rubber and even wool may induce sweating and hold moisture. Whenever possible, such as during the summer, wear airy shoes such as sandals,” she says.
Change them often.
Don’t wear the same shoes two days in a row says Dean S. Stem, D.P. M., a podiatrist at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois. It takes at least 24 hours for shoes to dry out thoroughly. If your feet perspire heavily; change shoes twice a day.
Keep them dry-and clean.
Dust the insides of your shoes frequently with antifungal powder or spray. Another good idea, says Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, podiatrist Neal Kramer, D.P.M., is to spray some disinfectant (such as Lysoll on a rag and use it to wipe out the insides of your shoes. That will kill off any fungus spores living there. Do this every time you take off your shoes, he says.
And air them out! Dr. Hass recommends giving your shoes a little time in the sun to air out. “Remove the laces and prop open the throat of each shoe. You should even leave sandals outdoors to dry between wearings. And wipe the undersides of their straps clean after every wearing to remove any fungi-carrying dead skin. The idea is to reduce even the slightest possibility of reinfection.”
Sock the infection.
If your feet perspire heavily; says Dr. Hass, change your socks three or four times a day. And wear only clean cotton socks, not those made with synthetic yarns. Be sure to rinse them thoroughly during laundering, because detergent residue can aggravate your skin problem. And to help kill fungus spores, says Dr. Kramer, wash your socks twice in extra-hot water.
Powder your toes.
To further keep your feet dry; allow them to air-dry for 5 or 10 minutes after a shower before putting on your shoes and socks, says Dr. Bihova. To speed complete drying, hold a hair dryer about 6 inches from your foot, wiggle your toes, and dry between them. Then apply powder. To avoid the mess ofloose powder, place it in a plastic or paper bag, then put your foot into the bag and shake it well.
And your footgear. Dr. Levine further recommends applying medicated powder - such as Tinactin, Halotex, or Desenex - to your shoes before you put them on.
Cover up in public places.
You can decrease your exposure to the fungus, says Dr. Goodman, by wearing slippers and shower shoes in areas where lots of other people go barefoot. That includes gyms, spas, health clubs, locker rooms, and even around swimming pools. If you’re prone to fungal infections, you can pick them up almost any place that is damp-so be prudent.