We don’t like to talk about it, but most of us get it.  I’m talking about Athlete’s Foot, or tinea pedis as it’s known in the medical world.  Caused by the Tricophyton fungus, it is estimated that as much as 70% of the population experiences Athlete’s Foot at some point in their lives.  Have you ever had itchy, flaking, blistering, or peeling skin in-between your toes or on the bottom of your feet?  Well, then, you’ve probably had it.  But those aren’t the only places this pesky fungus likes to hide.  Any flap of skin that provides a moist environment will feel like home sweet home to the Trichophyton.  If this fungus gets into your foot nooks, you won’t want to wear flirty shoes like the peep-toe pumps shown in this story.   Here are a few tips to help you combat and prevent Athlete’s Foot, so that your skin’s true beauty can shine forth unabated.

1. Wear breathable shoes. Leather shoes will let your feet breathe.  Vinyl shoes, on the other hand, will cut off air circulation, and will only worsen your symptoms.

2. Opt for moisture-wicking socks. Some materials, like cotton, hold onto moisture.  Others, like CoolMax, wick it away from your foot. If you tend toward sweaty feet, or you tend to wear the same shoes for many hours, find socks that are made with moisture-wicking materials.

3.  Treat Athlete’s Foot with Medicated Powders. A trip to your local drug store will turn up medicated powders that are designed to keep feet dry.  Before putting on your shoes, sprinkle this powder wherever moisture tends to collect.

4. Give yourself a Homeopathic Footbath. You can also make your own drying remedies.  Diluted tea tree oil, a natural antiseptic, may be applied to infected areas, or added to a footbath.  Additionally, you can reduce your symptoms by bathing your feet in a mixture of 1 part apple cider vinegar to 4 parts water.  Soak your feet in this solution for ten minutes at a stretch, one or two times a day.

5. Try Vicks VapoRub. Many former Athelete’s Foot sufferers swear by Vicks VapoRub.  Rub this ointment into infected areas.

6. Blow-dry moisture away. Looking for an easy way to dry out those tricky areas?  Reach for your hair dryer.  After stepping out of the shower, use your blow-dryer to completely dry out any areas that tend to hold moisture.

7. Disinfect stinky old shoes. That smell emanating from your sneakers?  That’s the smell of bacteria!  Use medicated powders or sprays to kill the bacteria lurking in your kicks.

8. Don’t walk barefoot in public places. Swimming pools, gyms, and public showers are prime locations to pick up Athlete’s Foot.  Wear flip-flops to prevent the fungus from coming in contact with your feet.

9. Treat all areas of the body at once. Many people treat foot fungus on their skin, but neglect their nails.  Unfortunately, they often find that their symptoms return in a couple of weeks or months.  To completely get rid of Athlete’s Foot, you must treat all infected areas at once.

10. Treat all family members at once. Remember, if you share a shower with your loved ones, you also share their foot diseases.  Make sure everyone in your household is taking precautions to avoid Athlete’s Foot, and carefully treating any current infections.

For extreme and/or ongoing cases of Athlete’s Foot, you should see your doctor.  He or she may prescribe an oral anti-fungal pill.

Once you clear up your Athlete’s Foot once and for all, pick out a pretty pair of peep-toe pumps and strut all over town, flaunting your healthy, beautiful feet.