Jumping in a puddle in the rain might please your inner child, but if you walk around with damp feet this season, you’ll probably get into trouble and smell your feet. My patients say fungus loves moisture, Dr. Apratim Goel, a dermatologist in Santa Clarita, Calif., told Cutis Skin Solution. Rain makes it more likely you’ll end up in wet clothes, wet shoes, and wet socks. Such cases can all lead to the invasion of fungi. Continuous exposure to hot and humid conditions, high levels of perspiration and poor circulation, which happen when your feet stay in the same place for a long time and rub together, is enough to keep them unhygienic. As for causes, open wounds are commonplace in individuals with wounds and hair follicles on their toes, with friction, over time, interfering with healthy oxygen supply.
Don’t wear closed-toed shoes
Make an effort to wear open shoes whenever possible, and then wash your feet with soap and water after you’ve been outside for long periods of time or exposed to other fluids like rainwater. When wearing closed shoes, apply antifungal dusting powder (she suggests Flucos, Abzorb, and Candid) before putting on socks, and if an infection occurs, apply an antifungal ointment at night. If the condition doesn’t improve, consult a dermatologist. Not only do smelly feet occur during monsoon, but they’re also common during the winter months, when feet are kept warm and moist for long periods of time. It’s more likely to happen in closed shoes like those with laces. Shoes which retain moisture make this happen too. The risk is even higher when macerated skin on the feet gets exposed to the wetness of a closed shoe for too long. The skin on the sole and sides of your toes gets wet, pale and begins to peel off easily, warns Dr Goel. In some cases, if left untreated, you may even need to see an orthopaedic surgeon in addition to a dermatologist.
In light of the upcoming rainy season, it’s advisable to purchase special rain gear that lets your feet dry quickly. Keep a pair at the office to swap into. if your shoes or sandals are wet, don’t keep them under the bed or inside the shoe rack. Air exposure is key to avoiding microbe growth. This causes bacteria to form. Sunlight helps destroy bacteria and diminish the chance of an infection. Letting them dry in the sun is the best way to avoid bacterial growth, says Dr. Goel.
Taking care of yourself
- You can apply neem oil to your feet to reduce the chance of developing an infection and on toenails to fight one that you have.
2. Tea tree oil is antimicrobial and antifungal. It should be applied twice a day to the affected area.
3. The paste of turmeric, which is well known for its antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties, can also be applied around the toes to get rid of fungal infections.
4. Apply henna leaves paste between the toes and leave it until it gets dry and cracks. Fresh leaves of henna are antibacterial and antifungal.
