Athlete’s foot is a common contagious skin infection caused by a fungal infection that produces an itchy rash on the toes and feet. In this video, Dr. Johanna Youner, board-certified podiatric surgeon and a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, explains how to prevent athlete’s foot and how to treat it. The root cause of athlete’s foot is moisture, so the most important step in preventing it is keeping both feet and shoes dry. Always completely dry your feet after bathing, and be sure to get rid of moisture between toes. Powders such as corn starch, baking soda and antifungals all are effective at keeping shoes and feet dry. Vary the shoes you wear, and let them dry completely before you wear them again. To treat an athlete’s foot infection, apply Lamisil, Lotrimin or Miconazole to the affected areas twice a day for up to two weeks. Homemade remedies include soaking your feet in the astringent Domeboro to dry the feet and prevent fungal infections…and applying essential oils such as eucalyptus, lavender or tea tree oil to eliminate an active infection.

For more from Dr. Youner, visit her website https://www.parkavenuepodiatrycenter.com

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