A distinct change of subject to talk about one of the most unpleasant things that is very common – not just for runners – but for everyone. Apparently 1 in 4 people will suffer from Athlete’s Foot in their lifetime. That’s a lot of smelly tootsies!
Tinea pedis is a pesky fungal infection that typically starts between the toes, especially if they have got warm, sweaty or damp and airless. The fungal spores are just there anyway, everyone has them, that’s just a wonderful part of life. But sometimes they multiply in number, invade the skin and become a problem. If left untreated it can become very painful and deeply unpleasant.
If you are a runner and you have never suffered from this, not even once, then I salute you 🫡
Otherwise, I wanted to share the best method for preventing and, I dare say curing, athlete’s foot I have ever found and believe me I have tried everything, creams, sprays, salts, you name it, I have probably tried it.
Important Note: Before we continue, I am not a medical practitioner, this is not medical advice, it’s just what worked for me, okay? By all means try it, but understand you do so at your own risk. Also, if you get any swelling and redness that seems to be spreading, or you are at all unsure, please seek medical attention immediately.
Don’t worry. I am going to save you looking at grotesque photographs of toes falling apart and skip right to the solution:
Step 1 – wash your feet every day
I mean really wash your feet. Show them some serious love!
In the modern world of quick, effective and convenient showers it can be a little awkward to bend down, sit down, pull up a foot or whatever.
I get it. I’ve been lazy like this too and I can’t help but notice other people at the swimming pool or gym having a good shower but failing to go as far as to wash their feet properly. Tsk tsk! It’s just not good enough.
Do whatever it takes. Get a chair in your shower if you have to. Just do it.
As runners our feet are super important to us, they work so hard all day every day so why not show them the true love they deserve and wash them, really well, every day!
Step 2 – dry your feet
I used to just use a towel to dry my feet, but there are problems with this, first towels often don’t get your feet dry enough, and second, if you have a tinea pedis flare up you would have to wash the towel after every single use to be sure to avoid reinfection.
I went through a period of using paper towels, but this is kinda wasteful and even they don’t get your little tootsies completely dry!
In a moment of pure inspiration (and probably frustration too) I picked up a hairdryer and started blow-drying my feet. Hey, why not, we use warm air to dry our hands and the hygiene benefits of doing so are pretty much unquestionable.
Oh joy! Oh rapture… the glorious feeling of completely dry toes, every little nook and cranny, dry as a bone! It feels delicious! Oh yes!!!
If my feet ever feel damp for any reason, at the next opportunity I dry them off with the hairdryer. It’s not necessary to wash them multiple times a day, but multiple drying sessions can really help.
The only thing to watch for is not to set the dryer too hot, don’t burn your toes please!
Step 3 – there is no step 3
That’s it! It may be hard to believe, but since I started doing this I have not had even the faintest hint of reinfection. Just stick with the program and all will be good!
I am tempted to end this with my usual call to discuss anything I have said, but I have grave reservations about how that discussion may pan out 😃
Okay, okay, we can chat about anything, we’re all adults right? But please would you keep anything graphic behind a content warning, okay?