Advice for your patients
Educating patients of the importance of making simple changes to their usual routine can help prevent future infections:
- Keep feet and toes dry – fungi need a damp, moist environment to thrive
- After washing feet daily, dry thoroughly paying particular attention to the area between the toes
- Wear cotton socks and shoes from natural materials (e.g. leather) as these help the feet breathe and stop them getting sweaty and damp
- Change socks and tights daily
- Don’t wear the same shoes every day
- Don’t share bath towels
- Don’t walk around barefoot in communal changing areas, wear shoes or flip-flops to protect feet
- Wash hands after applying treatment to prevent the spread of infection
- Put an athlete’s foot powder in shoes or socks as a preventative measure.
