4 Reasons Why You Keep Getting Athlete's Foot

Athlete’s foot is something nobody wants. Fortunately, it’s easy to treat and will resolve with proper care.

However, if you’re getting athlete’s foot over and over, it’s time to consider your behaviors to see if they could be contributing to the problem.

Foot + Ankle Specialty Centers, with five locations in Arizona, offers treatments for athlete's foot) as well as advice for avoiding the problem. Our providers — Payam Sarraf, DPM, Kate Kennedy, DPM, Katy Statler, DPM, Andrew Goodeill, DPM, Christopher Van Damme, DPM, Amelia Harris, DPM, and Sina Safar, DPM — are here to help you when it comes to foot hygiene and health.

Little-known truths about athlete’s foot

Most people know that athlete’s foot comes from a fungal infection. It’s also well known that the fungus is easily contracted when visiting a public pool, a communal shower or locker room, or another place where infections are quickly passed.

But what you may not realize is athlete’s foot is very common. In fact, it’s the most common type of foot infection. This means it’s not just an issue that affects athletes or people who use public pools, gyms, or showers.

That’s why it’s essential to understand what causes athlete’s foot and that anyone can get it. The following are some of the best ways to avoid the condition.

4 reasons you keep contracting athlete’s foot

Here are some reasons why you might have recurrent athlete’s foot.

1. Footwear woes

If you aren’t considering how your footwear could be causing continued athlete’s foot infections, you should be. For example, wearing shoes that cause you to sweat, donning very thick socks, or wearing your footwear for too long could easily create a moist and warm environment in which fungi can thrive.

If you’ve already had athlete’s foot, it may be recurring because you aren’t giving your feet the chance to heal. Switching out your shoes and cleaning them periodically is a great way to avoid this problem.

2. Not finishing your treatments

Don’t cut your treatment for athlete’s foot short. That can allow the infection to recur. If you’ve been using an over-the-counter antifungal cream, follow the instructions on the package.

3. Sharing personal items

Athlete’s foot spreads easily. Sure, you might know not to wear someone else’s shower shoes, but have you ever borrowed someone else’s sneakers, socks, or towel? These items can spread the infection as well. In short, keep your personal items to yourself.

4. Chronic athlete’s foot

Some individuals experience chronic athlete’s foot as a chronic problem. In that case, talk to our team about more aggressive treatments, such as prescription antifungal medication.

Also, there is a possibility that you might not have athlete’s foot at all. Other chronic conditions, such as eczema, can look very similar to athlete’s foot. That may be why the treatments aren’t working.