Whereas work boots are a must in certain work environments such as construction sites, driving trucks, asphalt paving, etc, as they protect the feet from injuries, there are also certain side effects of wearing them for a long period of time over the day.
One such side effect is athlete’s foot which is a condition where there is a fungi growth in the toes areas, especially the areas in between the toes, and if the condition worsens, it might spread to the toe nails and the surrounding parts as well.
Some Symptoms of Athlete’s Foot would include:
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- ⇒ Redness and small bumps in the toe area
- ⇒ Itching
- ⇒ Peeling off the skin
- ⇒ Fungus like structures in the skin
- ⇒ Foul smell
- ⇒ Discoloration of nails
- ⇒ Nails become thick and brittle
- ⇒ Blood from scratching the skin
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13 Ways to Prevent Athlete’s Foot
Well, you can have a sigh of relief as we have some great prevention hacks against athlete’s foot:
1. Keep your Feet Dry
This is the ultimate thing you can do to prevent athlete’s foot that is to keep the feet dry. Whenever you get a break from work try removing your boots and socks as well and wipe your feet with a dry towel. In the mean time, sun dry your boots and socks.
2. Wear Cotton Socks
Cotton socks have breathable fabrics. Wearing cotton socks keeps the feet dry and doesn’t let heat build up inside the boots.
3. Wear Breathable Work Boots
If your work environment is hot and humid, try wearing breathable boots which are made of leather or canvas. While buying the boots, look for the feature “breathability” of the boots. This will allow the feet to breathe and prevent them from sweating.
4. Work boots with Anti-microbial Lining
The boots with anti-microbial lining can help fight the fungi caused from the sweat. So, if your work environment makes your feet sweat, choose this feature while buying the boots.
5. Puff Powder Inside the Boots
While wearing the socks first puff powder on your feet. Then puff some more inside your boots. This will absorb the seat and keep your feet dry.
6. Alternate your Boots
Keep two boots as working pairs. Alternate them day wise. This will keep both your feet and the boots dry. Don’t forget to dry the pair you are leaving home for preparing it for the next day.
7. Keep your Feet Clean
Wash your feet with dettol or anti-septic liquid regularly when you take shower. Also, don’t forget to wash them nicely with soap as you clean your body. This will help to fight germs in the feet and keep the feet healthy.
8. Clean your Work boots
In the weekends, take out some time for your boots and clean them with soap water. Don’t forget to dry them using dryer or under the sun.
9. Avoid Wearing Wet boots 
If your boots have become wet, do not wear them to work the next day without drying them. Remember that fungi grow in wet places. Dry them using a dryer and then wear them for work.
10. Use Black Tea to Get Rid of Sweaty Feet
Black tea contains tannic acid which helps to eliminate sweat production from the feet. You have to follow a simple step on a regular basis:
- Ina large bowl pour some warm water.
- Now put a few bags of black tea in it.
- Dip your feet in the bowl for 15-20 minutes.
11. Choose your Boots Carefully
Your toes need some space to breathe. Choose the boots which have some room for your toes to move and breathe. Clogged and cramped toes will sweat more because of the discomfort.
12. Use Anti-perspirants
Spray or roll on anti-perspirant in your feet and areas in between your toes. Anti-perspirant helps to prevent sweat and foul smell.
13. Use Newspaper
Put a thin sheet of newspaper inside your boots before you wear them. Newspaper will absorb the sweat as soon as it forms in your feet. You can change the newspaper everyday once you remove your shoes.
Causes of Athlete’s Foot
Athlete’s foot is caused by the growth of a fungus in certain areas of the body. Well, there are certain causes behind the fungal growth which are as follows:
1.) Fungus thrives in wet, hot, humid, clogged and dark places.
2.) The areas in between the toes are the most vulnerable parts for athlete’s foot because these are the parts where sweat settles most.
3.) The sweat occurs due to prolonged wearing of working boots in hot and humid weathers.
4.) Also the workers have to wear protective gears in foot which adds to the warm conditions inside the boots providing the way for the fungus to grow.
5.) Also if the work conditions demand working in water for prolonged period and the boots are not waterproof, athlete’s foot can be caused.
6.) Using communal showers or changing rooms.
Before we say Good Bye:
Sweat-free feet are the happy feet!
No Sweat=No Athlete’s Foot!
So, if you want to prevent athlete’s foot, you know now that you have to keep your feet dry.
Well the hacks are easy enough and worth giving a try…
After all…
Prevention is better than cure!
Right, guys?
Hope we didn’t miss out on any point to prevent athlete’s foot…
And if we did…
Do let us know in the comment section below…
Your hacks to prevent athlete’s foot.
Till then…
Take care…
Stay safe and…
Keep walking!
