4 Winter Foot Worries If You Have Diabetes
If you have diabetes, caring for your feet is always important. In the winter, that means taking some extra steps. Here are four areas worth your attention.
Why Do I Keep Getting Athlete's Foot?
Athlete’s foot isn’t the worst podiatric problem. Unlike other foot issues, it’s probably not going to interfere with your ability to get around. Still, it’s often uncomfortable and embarrassing. And if you have a case of it that keeps coming back, it’s frustrating, too.
We can help. Here at Vittori Foot & Ankle Specialist in Homer Glen and New Lenox, Illinois, Christopher Vittori, DPM, and Ameet Thakrar, DPM, specialize in treating athlete’s foot. We work with you to find out why this issue is recurring and, most importantly, help you stop it from coming back. For effective, lasting athlete’s foot treatment, come see our team.
Why athlete’s foot comes back
Athlete’s foot is a kind of fungal infection. You get this itchy, scaly condition when dermatophytes live on your foot.
This type of fungus is contagious. Direct contact and sharing a towel can spread it, but dermatophytes can also survive in a damp environment. That’s why they’re often found in places that stay wet, like pool areas and locker room floors.
If your athlete’s foot keeps coming back, one of two things is happening. Either the treatment you’ve applied isn’t working well enough to fully eradicate the infection, or your feet are getting re-exposed to the fungus.
We can help with both. Dr. Thakrar and Dr. Vittori offer a variety of treatments and tips to help you finally get rid of athlete’s foot.
Tips to prevent recurring athlete’s foot
If you have athlete’s foot you just can’t seem to kick, the first order of business is to fully clear the infection. We help you find the right treatment plan to achieve that goal, which might include:
- Creams
- Oral medications
- Powders
- Sprays
- Topical medications
Once we’ve cleared the dermatophytes from your foot, you need to take certain steps to prevent them from getting infected again. Make it a habit to:
- Wear shoes in wet areas, including around the pool and in locker rooms
- Keep your feet dry
- Choose breathable shoes
- Don’t put on yesterday’s shoes if they’re still damp
- Don’t share towels
- Wash and thoroughly dry your feet daily
If you know you’re prone to sweaty feet, start keeping a spare pair of socks somewhere handy. You might stash them in your desk drawer, bag, or your glove box, for example. This way, if your feet feel wet, you can change into a dry pair.
With habits like these, even if your feet come into contact with dermatophytes, the microbes shouldn’t have the damp environment they need to survive.
For help finally getting rid of that athlete’s foot, call our team here at Vittori Foot & Ankle Specialist, or schedule an appointment online today.
You Might Also Enjoy...
Custom Orthotics Can Remedy More Foot and Gait Issues Than You May Realize
If you’re having foot or ankle problems, there’s a decent chance that getting relief could be as simple as inserting something into your shoe. Learn what custom orthotics can do here.
4 Common Causes of Heel Pain
If you have heel pain that you can’t seem to kick, it’s probably caused by an issue that needs treatment. Here are four common root issues of heel pain that warrant a trip to the doctor.
What to Do About that Bothersome Heel Pain
If you feel a stabbing pain in your heel that’s at its worst when you first get up, it’s probably plantar fasciitis. Here, we look at how to treat this common but bothersome cause of heel pain.
Can a Hammertoe Be Dangerous?
Hammertoe usually starts as an uncomfortable inconvenience more than anything else. But as it progresses, it can pose a larger and larger problem — particularly if you have diabetes.
Why Do My Heels Hurt When I Get Out of Bed in the Morning?
If the first few steps you take each day are often characterized by pain in your heel, you probably have plantar fasciitis. Learn how to treat this inflammation-based condition here.