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Athlete\u2019s foot is a fungal infection that starts in the toes\u2014that\u2019s why the shoes you wear are so important. The foot fungus that causes athlete\u2019s foot loves damp, dark places teeming with bacteria and other germs. Depending on your shoes, you could be curating the perfect environment for athlete\u2019s foot solely from sweaty feet.<\/p>\n
Whether you\u2019re trying to decrease your chances of developing athlete\u2019s foot or looking for comfortable footwear to soothe your feet while they heal, here\u2019s everything you need to know about finding the best shoes for athlete\u2019s foot.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Because athlete\u2019s foot relies on a bacteria-filled environment, you want to choose materials that reduce the likelihood of breeding those germs.<\/span><\/p>\n That means looking for shoes that are:<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tight shoes and heavy shoes cause many of the same problems\u2014they decrease air circulation, which increases how sweaty your feet are, increasing the chance of bacteria developing in your warm, damp sneakers. To prevent that, look for styles that leave plenty of wiggle room, especially for your toes. Additionally, small shoes can cause more severe problems. Read more about how to prevent blisters when running<\/a>, exercising, or just during your daily routine by choosing the best running shoes for your feet<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n You can find particularly roomy toe boxes in shoes with wide, square fronts. <\/span>What\u2019s the difference between <\/span>regular vs. wide shoes<\/span><\/a> exactly? <\/span>If you need extra space, look for footwear marked 2E or even 4E\u2014these styles are especially wide for folks with feet to match.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Which shoes have the loosest fit around the toes, guaranteed? Open-toe, of course.<\/span><\/p>\n They meet all the requirements of a good shoe for athlete\u2019s foot\u2014they let your toes breathe, keep your feet dry, and prevent the sort of damp, dark conditions that fungi like. If weather permits and you aren\u2019t breaking any dress codes, consider letting your toes hang loose until your condition improves.<\/span><\/p>\n And if you\u2019re ever in a communal shower, locker room, or on the deck of a public pool, consider wearing a pair of sandals or shower shoes to lower the likelihood of catching this contagious condition.<\/p>\n You can find plenty of <\/span>sandals<\/span><\/a> and slides that are still comfortable enough to walk around in and stylish enough to pair with any ensemble.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Unlike some common foot ailments caused by genetics or lifestyle choices, athlete\u2019s foot results from a contagious fungal infection. Formally known as tinea pedis, athlete\u2019s foot fungus is a type of ringworm, of which there are several different varieties that can afflict different parts of the body.1<\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n The ringworm fungus that leads to athlete\u2019s foot causes a rash-like skin disorder. Usually, this rash presents along the webbed skin between the toes, though it can also infect the tops, soles, and heels of your feet, depending on the type of foot infection. Wherever the site of infection, the rash itself may cause:<\/p>\n Athlete\u2019s foot can also cause blisters which may or may not be filled with fluid, as well as painful open sores. Athlete\u2019s foot can also change the texture of the infected skin, causing it to become dry, cracked, or scaly. In some cases, athlete\u2019s foot can lead to foul foot odors.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Although a single type of athlete\u2019s foot would be more than enough, there are actually a few different kinds you catch.1<\/sup> They all come from the same ringworm virus, but each one affects a different area of the foot and presents unique symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n Athlete\u2019s foot can manifest in one of four unique ways:1<\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Despite the name, you don\u2019t have to be a medal-winning Olympian to contract athlete\u2019s foot. Fungi don\u2019t discriminate when they\u2019re looking for a host. Among nature\u2019s finest opportunists, ringworm fungi are more than happy to take up residence between anyone\u2019s toes\u2014if you provide the right conditions and a fostering environment, that is.<\/span><\/p>\n When you have athlete\u2019s foot, it means that the ringworm fungus is living and growing on the skin of your feet. You have to come into contact with the fungus to catch it, but certain conditions can make it easier for the fungus to thrive. For example, damp, sweaty feet or socks are like welcome parties to penetrating fungi.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n There are two primary ways of contracting athlete\u2019s foot:1<\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n That said, not everyone is at the same risk of infection. A person\u2019s age, gender, health history, and lifetsyle choices can all make them more or less susceptible to athlete\u2019s foot.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Athlete\u2019s foot usually affects people who:1<\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n Additionally, due to the transmission method, people who frequent public places where shoes are not required are more likely to catch athlete\u2019s foot. This includes places like saunas, swimming pools, and fitness centers.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The fungal infection that causes an athlete\u2019s foot is entirely treatable.1<\/sup><\/span> Generally, it involves using a variety of antifungal medications to arrest bacterial growth, kill the fungus, and heal damaged skin. These antifungal products may be either prescribed by a doctor or available over-the-counter. They usually come as:<\/span><\/p>\n If you catch athlete\u2019s foot, it\u2019s important to seek treatment right away. Although for most people<\/span>,<\/span> the condition isn\u2019t serious and is easily remedied, it can quickly escalate, spreading and growing across your body through scratching or toweling dry.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n That said, with proper treatment, the infection should clear up within a couple of weeks to two months.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Because athlete\u2019s foot is a contagious infection, you have a limited amount of control over when, where, and if you contract it.<\/span><\/p>\n That said, there are a few effective measures that you can take to avoid the fungus, especially if you\u2019re at special risk of infection.2<\/sup><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Here are three tips for dodging athlete\u2019s foot infections:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n When you have athlete\u2019s foot, the shoes you wear and the kind of foot care you choose become more important than ever. No longer just a fashion statement, you need to choose your shoes based on comfort, breathability, fit, and material.<\/span><\/p>\n At <\/span>Vionic<\/span><\/a>, we specialize in crafting stylish, comfortable, and supportive shoes for every foot, whether you have athlete\u2019s foot, another condition, or perfectly healthy feet. With podiatrist-approved features that promote all-day comfort, support, and stability from heel to toe, our shoes set the bar for pleasing and pampering your feet.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n With dozens of trendy styles, including <\/span>women\u2019s casual shoes<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>men\u2019s walking sneakers<\/span><\/a>,<\/span> women\u2019s boots<\/span><\/a>, and<\/span> sandals for men<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>women<\/span><\/a>, Vionic is where you turn for shoes that support your feet and your lifestyle.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sources:\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n <\/p>\n#1 Material Matters<\/b><\/h2>\n
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#2 Functionally, They Have to Fit<\/b><\/h2>\n
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<\/a><\/p>\n#3 Slip Into Sandals<\/b><\/h2>\n
A Deep Dive Into Athlete\u2019s Foot<\/b><\/h2>\n
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![\"Woman](\"https:\/\/blog.vionicshoes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/What-are-the-Best-Shoes-for-Athletes-Foot-1.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nFour Ways for Athlete\u2019s Foot to Present<\/b><\/h2>\n
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\n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\nWho Can Contract Athlete\u2019s Foot?\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Is There a Cure For Athlete\u2019s Foot?<\/b><\/h2>\n
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How To Prevent Athlete\u2019s Foot\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Vionic: The Best Shoes for Athlete\u2019s Foot<\/b><\/h2>\n
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