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Proudly Serving Central Iowa from our Ankeny and Ames Locations!

Athlete's Foot (Tinea Pedis)

What is Athlete's Foot?

Athlete’s foot is a common fungal infection that most people get from walking barefoot in moist public places, like a swimming pool deck or locker room. Despite the name, athlete’s foot can happen to anyone. It can result in flaky skin, cracking, and itchiness on the soles of the foot and between the toes. 

What Can You Do To Prevent Athlete's Foot?

To reduce the chance of catching athlete’s foot, dermatologists recommend that you take the following precautions:

  • Wear shower shoes, flip-flops, or sandals when walking around pools, gyms, shower or locker areas, and hotel rooms. The fungus that causes athlete’s foot may be on the floor. Even when taking a shower in a gym, it is important to wear shower shoes or flip flops.

  • Even if you have not gone barefoot in public areas, keep your feet dry. This fungus thrives in warm, moist areas such as the one created inside hot, sweaty shoes. Wearing sandals or flip-flops helps when it’s hot outside. Shoes that are made from synthetic materials like plastic and rubber are more likely to cause sweating.

  • Wash your feet every day with soap and completely dry them after washing.

  • Wear socks made of natural fabrics or fabrics that dry quickly or wick moisture away from the skin. Also, be sure to change your socks every day and more often when your socks get wet.

  • Alternate the shoes you wear each day, if possible, to ensure shoes are dry when they are put on.

  • If you live with someone who has athlete’s foot, don’t share towels, linens, or shoes. Wear shoes in areas where infected feet have been.

If your athlete’s foot is not improving or is worsening, you should make an appointment to see a board-certified dermatologist.

AAD: How to Prevent Athlete's Foot

Why Iowa Dermatology Consultants?

Iowa Dermatology Consultants believes in a patient focused approach to care.  We work with patients forming an active partnership in treatment to help repair the physical and emotional damage of skin disease.  Our Ankeny and Ames locations allow us to conveniently treat patients across the Des Moines metro area and all of Central Iowa including Ames, Carroll, Fort Dodge, Iowa Falls, Marshalltown, Huxley, Slater, and Indianola.  

At Iowa Dermatology Consultants, all of our physicians are board-certified dermatologists. Your care provided by Dr. Snider, Dr. Smith, or Dr. Myers is founded in knowledge and experience which exceeds that of a general practitioner.  Together they have almost 50 years of combined experience in diagnosing and treating a vast array of skin conditions.  This includes over 16,000 hours of patient care training to ensure that a board-certified dermatologist can expertly diagnosis and treat over 3000 dermatologic conditions.

Whether you’re coming to us for help with skin cancer or diseases like acne, psoriasis, and eczema; or to reverse the signs of aging with Botox, chemical peels or other cosmetic procedures, at Iowa Dermatology Consultants you will be getting the best dermatologic care in Central Iowa.