Winter weather, locker rooms give toehold to athlete's foot and fungal toenails

Vancouver - The B.C. Association of Podiatrists wants to remind people to be aware of fungal infections such as athlete's foot and fungal nails that can cause problems during the winter months.

"The tiny fungi that cause foot infections such as athlete's foot and fungal toenails love warm, damp places," says Dr. Randy Gerber. "Arriving to work in heavy or wet footwear and sitting in a heated environment all day can create problems. So can the increased use of indoor gyms, where showers and locker rooms are a primary breeding ground."

Fungal infections can be passed between people easily; tiny abrasions in the skin allow the fungus to enter and infect the area. Once caught, a warm, dark, moist environment will cause the infection to take hold and spread. That's why feet, enclosed in shoes for most of the day, are so susceptible.

Athlete's foot is a skin disease that causes drying skin, itching, scaling, inflammation and blisters. It's an unsightly and painful condition, with the itching and burning sensations increasing as the infection spreads.

When a toenail is affected by fungi, the nail often becomes darker in colour and starts to smell bad. The nail may develop white marks and the infection can spread from one toenail to the others, and even to the fingernails. Injuring the nail bed or suffering from a chronic disease such as circulatory problems or immune-deficiency conditions makes people more susceptible to fungal nails. Fungal nails can also be signs of medical conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, psoriasis, or cancer.

Athlete's foot and fungal nails are painful and embarrassing, and won't go away without treatment. If you show symptoms of a fungal infection, make an appointment with a podiatrist so he or she can restore your feet to good health.

Tips for preventing infection or re-infection include:

    * keeping your feet, socks and shoes clean and dry
    * wearing plastic sandals in public showers, changing rooms and pool areas
    * changing your socks or hosiery more than once a day
    * wearing socks made of synthetic fibre that wick moisture away instead of natural fibres, which stay wet longer, and
    * wearing lighter shoes made of breathable materials.

Podiatrists are doctors who specialize in preventing, diagnosing and treating foot pain and foot disorders both medically and surgically. Patients do not need a referral from their family doctor to see a podiatrist. For the location of a podiatrist near you, call 1-866-611-FEET (3338) or visit www.foothealth.ca.

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For more information or to arrange an interview, contact Rhonda Trenholm 604-623-3007