How Do You Prevent and Treat Athlete's Foot in Summer
In a recent interview with Katie Hannon and Colm Ó Mongáin on RTÉ Radio 1's Drivetime, Professor Caitriona Ryan, Consultant Dermatologist and Co-founder of the Institute of Dermatologists, addressed one of summer's less discussed skin complaints: fungal infections of the feet.
Athlete's foot is treatable with an over the counter topical antifungal, but needs to be treated promptly. Left alone, it commonly spreads to the other foot and, in men, to the groin.
Athlete's foot is more common in summer because fungi thrive in warm, moist environments - exactly what sweaty feet in trainers create. It's treatable with an over the counter topical antifungal, but needs to be treated promptly, since left alone it commonly spreads to the other foot and, in men, to the groin. A popular home remedy - dipping feet in seawater - has no scientific basis as a treatment.
Why Is Athlete's Foot More Common in Summer?
Fungi thrive in warm, moist environments, and summer creates ideal conditions: more sweating, more time in trainers, more time barefoot around pools and changing rooms where fungal spores are easily picked up.
Does Going Sockless Help or Hurt?
It's a common instinct in hot weather, but it can work against you. Socks aren't just for comfort - their main function is absorbing sweat. Wearing trainers without socks means moisture has nowhere to go, which creates exactly the environment fungi prefer. A foot powder can also help keep feet dry throughout the day.
Why Does Athlete's Foot Spread if Left Untreated?
Left untreated, athlete's foot commonly spreads from one foot to the other. It can also spread further than people expect: in men, pulling trousers on over an infected foot can drag the fungus up to the groin, causing what looks like a friction based rash but is actually the same fungal infection. Recognising it as fungal, rather than assuming it's simple friction, is the first step to treating it properly.
How Do You Treat Athlete's Foot?
A topical antifungal treatment, such as terbinafine, is available over the counter in Ireland and is an effective, accessible first line treatment. The key is treating it promptly rather than waiting for it to resolve on its own, since delay is what allows it to spread.
Does Seawater Help Treat Athlete's Foot?
No. This is a common belief - some people swear that a dip in the sea eases athlete's foot symptoms - but there's no scientific evidence that seawater treats a fungal infection. A fungal infection needs an antifungal treatment, not saltwater.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is athlete's foot more common in summer?
Fungi thrive in warm, moist environments, and summer conditions - sweat, trainers, communal pool and gym areas - create ideal conditions for it to develop and spread.
Should you wear socks in summer to prevent athlete's foot?
Yes. Socks absorb sweat, which helps keep feet dry. Going sockless in trainers can actually increase the risk of fungal infection.
Can athlete's foot spread to other parts of the body?
Yes. It commonly spreads to the other foot, and in men, can spread to the groin when trousers are pulled on over an infected foot.
Does dipping your feet in seawater treat athlete's foot?
No. There is no scientific evidence supporting this as a treatment. A topical antifungal is needed to actually treat the infection.
What treats athlete's foot?
An over the counter topical antifungal treatment, such as terbinafine (sold under the brand name Lamisil), is an effective first line option, provided it's used promptly.
