What is athlete’s foot and how can you prevent it?

are most likely to develop it. It’s called athlete’s foot as people wearing sweaty trainers all day are at a higher risk of getting infected! Another very common way to develop athlete’s foot is by walking barefoot in places like communal showers and changing rooms.

■ How can you prevent it returning? FOLLOW these top tips: Regularly change up which shoes you wear, to give them time to dry out properly, or at least ventilate.

Always dry between your toes after bathing and avoid applying creams in between your toes. It’s easy for it to get too moist in there and for the skin to crack. However, do moisturise your feet regularly, especially the heels, as they can easily split from being too dry. Avoid walking barefoot in communal areas.

Make sure your toes aren’t squeezed together in tight shoes, and instead look for shoes which have room for your toes to move – preferably made from natural materials.

■ How do you treat athlete’s foot? THERE are many effective over-thecounter treatments.

For nail infections, consult with a podiatrist, who will be able to determine if it is a fungal infection or just a discoloured nail, and can recommend treatments appropriate for your medical history.

■ What if over-the-counter treatments don’t work or athlete’s foot keeps coming back?

AS it is a fungal infection, it’s important to treat athlete’s foot early to prevent longer-term damage, or spreading to other areas of your skin. If simple treatments don’t work within three weeks, or you spot anything you are unsure about, then you should visit a specialised healthcare professional, such as a podiatrist.

You can find a local podiatrist via the College of Podiatry website (cop.org.uk).