If you’ve battled athlete’s foot before, you know how frustrating it can be when it keeps coming back. This common fungal infection affects 15% of the population and causes itching, redness, and peeling skin, often between the toes.
But why does it seem to return even after treatment? As it turns out, there may be several reasons your athlete’s foot keeps returning.
Below, Aamir Mahmood, DPM, Joseph Wilson, DPM, FACFAS, and the Momentum Foot & Ankle Clinic team share the top seven reasons.
Athlete’s foot is caused by fungi (dermophytes) that thrive in warm, moist environments. Even if your symptoms go away, microscopic fungal spores can remain on your skin, socks, shoes, and even on surfaces like locker room floors.
Without proper sanitation precautions and good hygiene, the infection can easily return.
Sweaty feet create the perfect conditions for fungus to grow. If you wear the same shoes every day — especially without giving them time to dry out — or if you frequently wear damp socks, the fungus can easily come back.
Many people stop using antifungal treatments as soon as their symptoms disappear. However, the fungus may still be present, even if your skin looks clear.
To avoid this, follow Dr. Mahmood and Dr. Wilson’s instructions precisely.
Fungal spores can linger in your shoes, socks, towels, and shower floors. If you’re not disinfecting these items regularly, you may be reinfecting yourself without realizing it.
Washing socks and towels in hot water, using antifungal sprays in shoes, and keeping shower floors clean can help reduce the risk.
Public areas like gym locker rooms, pools, and communal showers are prime breeding grounds for the fungus that causes athlete’s foot. Walking barefoot in these places increases your chances of picking up the infection again.
The good news is that this is easy to remedy. Wear sandals, pool shoes, or shower shoes to help protect your feet.
If you have a weakened immune system — either through an underlying condition or medication side effects — you’re more likely to struggle with fungal infections. Self-care and foot hygiene are even more important if you know you have a weakened immune system.
Poor circulation and diabetes can both increase your risk of recurrent fungal infections. That’s because poor circulation and diabetes can increase your risk of dry heels, cracks, and sores — and that’s exactly how fungi can enter your skin.
If you have diabetes and struggle with infections, let us know. Our team offers diabetic foot care in both of our locations.
Now that we’ve covered the top five reasons why athlete’s foot keeps coming back, let’s talk about how you can squash recurrent infections.
If your athlete’s foot keeps coming back despite at-home treatments and improved hygiene habits, or if it becomes painful, spreads, or leads to cracked skin and infections, it’s time to visit us here in Michigan City, Chesterton, Indiana, or Lombard, Illinois.
At Momentum Foot & Ankle Clinic, we take a comprehensive approach to treating athlete’s foot. Our team may recommend a combination of topical and oral antifungal medications, antifungal foot powders, and personalized lifestyle adjustments to help prevent reinfection.
To get started, call the location of your choice or book your next appointment online.
