Athlete’s Foot: Why Infection Control Matters Even After Symptoms Disappear

Athlete’s foot, also known as tinea pedis, is a common fungal infection affecting the skin of the feet. It can cause itching, redness, peeling, scaling, soreness and sometimes cracking between the toes.

Although athlete’s foot is usually straightforward to treat, early recognition, appropriate antifungal treatment and good infection-control measures are important — particularly for people who are active, exercise regularly or spend time in communal changing rooms, swimming pools and showers.

Early diagnosis and treatment are important

If you notice persistent itching, peeling or scaling, particularly between the toes, it is important not to ignore it.

Athlete’s foot can sometimes be mistaken for dry skin, eczema or other skin conditions. Getting the correct diagnosis means that appropriate treatment can be started promptly.

Antifungal treatment is the key to clearing a fungal infection. Depending on the presentation, this may involve an antifungal cream, spray or other treatment recommended by a pharmacist or healthcare professional.

It is important to follow the treatment instructions and complete the recommended course, even if the skin begins to look better.

Why athletes can be particularly susceptible

Athlete’s foot thrives in warm, damp environments — exactly the conditions that can occur inside sweaty sports shoes and socks.

Athletes and active individuals may also be exposed to fungal spores through:

• Communal changing rooms and showers

• Swimming pools

• Gym floors

• Shared sports facilities

• Damp towels

• Shared footwear

• Wearing sweaty socks or footwear for prolonged periods

Regular exercise doesn't cause athlete’s foot, but these environments can increase the opportunity for fungal infection to spread.

When the symptoms disappear, don't stop thinking about prevention

One of the most important parts of managing athlete’s foot is what happens after the symptoms have resolved.

Clear-looking skin doesn't mean that good foot hygiene should stop. Continuing sensible hygiene and moisture-control measures can help reduce the opportunity for reinfection.

Keep feet clean and dry

Wash your feet regularly and take particular care to dry between the toes.

Avoid leaving feet damp after showering, swimming or exercising. Use a clean towel for your feet and avoid sharing towels.

Change socks regularly

If your feet become sweaty during exercise, change into clean, dry socks as soon as practical.

Allow footwear to dry thoroughly between uses where possible. Rotating sports shoes can give each pair more time to dry.

Take care in communal areas

Wear suitable footwear such as flip-flops or pool shoes in communal changing rooms, showers and pool areas.

Avoid walking barefoot in areas where fungal infections can spread easily.

FHG.FORMULA Cool Blend Salts

At Forbes Health Group, we believe that good foot health doesn't stop when an infection has cleared. Maintaining clean, fresh and healthy feet should be part of your everyday foot-care routine.

FHG.FORMULA Cool Blend Salts have been developed to provide a refreshing foot soak as part of your regular foot-care routine.

The formulation includes cleansing salts and charcoal, creating a refreshing soak designed to help leave feet feeling clean, revitalised and refreshed.

The benefits of charcoal in foot care

Charcoal is widely used in skincare and personal-care products because of its adsorbent properties. It can help attract and hold onto impurities and excess oils on the skin's surface, making it a useful ingredient in a cleansing-focused foot-care product.

For feet that become warm, sweaty or tired after exercise, a charcoal-containing foot soak can provide a particularly refreshing addition to your routine.

It is important to remember that charcoal does not replace antifungal treatment and should not be relied upon to treat athlete’s foot. Its role in FHG.FORMULA Cool Blend Salts is to support a cleansing and refreshing foot-care experience.

Follow your foot soak with FHG.FORMULA Cool Blend Foot Spray

After washing or soaking your feet, dry them thoroughly — paying particular attention to the spaces between the toes.

FHG.FORMULA Cool Blend Foot Spray provides a convenient finishing step for everyday foot care. Its astringent effect makes it particularly suited to feet that become warm or sweaty, helping maintain a fresh-feeling foot-care routine.

A simple routine of cleanse, dry, refresh and protect can become an important part of looking after active feet.

Remember: prevention is part of foot care

Treating athlete’s foot is not simply about getting rid of the visible symptoms. Reducing moisture, maintaining good foot hygiene and taking sensible precautions in communal environments can help reduce the risk of it returning.

If symptoms persist, keep coming back, become painful, develop cracks or sores, or you are unsure whether you have athlete’s foot, seek advice from a pharmacist or healthcare professional rather than continuing to self-treat.

Healthy feet. Active life. Every day.

At Forbes Health Group, we are passionate about helping you keep your feet healthy — whether you're an occasional walker, a dedicated runner, a gym enthusiast or simply want your feet to feel their best.

FHG.FORMULA — everyday foot care, developed with your feet in mind.