How to Prevent Athlete's Foot with Shoe Insoles

11 May 2018

If you've ever had athlete's foot, you know how difficult it is to get rid of it. So, as with so many easily preventable conditions, it's better to be safe than sorry. We've put together this short article to help you find out if you are currently suffering from athlete's foot, what you can do about it without visiting a doctor, and how you can make sure this never happens again.

What is Athlete's Foot?

Very simply put, athlete's foot is a contagious fungal infection that affects the skin on the feet, and may even spread to your toenails and hands. It can easily be recognised by its very visible symptoms that usually include:

Itching, stinging and burning between the toes and on the soles
Blisters in the areas that are itchy
Cracking and peeling skin on the feet
Dry skin on the soles or sides of the feet
Raw skin on the feet
Discoloured, thick and crumbly toenails
Toenails that pull away from the nail bed

While the condition isn't serious, it is incredibly difficult to get rid of, so it's better to make sure you never get infected in the first place. There's a lot you can do by simply paying more attention to your feet.

What is Athlete's Foot?

What Puts Me at Risk for Developing Athlete's Foot?

Virtually anyone can get athlete's foot, but there are certain behaviours and habits that increase your risk. You need to be extra careful if you:

Frequently visit public places barefoot, such as locker rooms, showers and swimming pools
Share socks with people who might have athlete's foot
Wear tight-fitting, close-toe shoes
Keep your feet wet for longer periods
Tend to have sweaty feet
Have a minor skin or nail injury on the foot

Preventing Athlete's Foot

So far we've established that athlete's foot is actually a fungus, and if there's one thing fungi love, it's damp, warm and closed spaces. To avoid getting athlete's foot, you need to make sure your feet and shoes are dry at all times. You can prevent athlete's foot by following a few simple precautions, such as:

Drying your feet thoroughly after walking
Wearing sandals or shower shoes if using a public shower
Using anti-fungus soaps to kill fungus after walking barefoot in public
Changing socks whenever your feet get sweaty
Wearing open shoes to air out your feat
Using insoles for athlete's foot

Insoles for Preventing Athlete's Foot

If the fungus that causes athlete's foot can only be contracted on your bare feet, how can insoles help you avoid contamination? The answer is actually simpler than you might imagine.

Zederna Original Natural Insoles

All fungi love moisture and heat, so it's very important to keep your feet and shoes dry to prevent the infection from spreading. Most shoe insoles designed to help fight athlete's foot have one thing in common: they are excellent in absorbing moisture and keeping your feet dry and clean. This means that even if you come in contact with microbes and bacteria, the environment in your shoes won't be a suitable breeding ground and a serious infection will never occur.

Our top picks include:

Zederna Original Natural Cedarsoles: completely natural, comprised of a natural anti-odour cedar wood top layer and a comfortable cotton base that will keep you fresh and healthy in a convenient way
Pedag Deo Fresh Full Insoles: crafted from a special Trevira bioactive terry cloth that absorbs moisture and ensures fresh, odour-free feet
Pedag Viva Sneaker Insoles: made with absorbent terry cloth for dry, odour-free feet, with shock absorbent heel pads and arch support for superior comfort

How Can I Treat Athlete's Foot at Home?

If your athlete's foot is already quite advanced, keeping your feet dry and clean might not be enough to get rid of the fungus. But don't worry, there's still a lot you can do at home, without having to visit a doctor. Try using some of these natural remedies:

Baking soda
Diluted tea tree oil
Garlic

Soothing Foot Bath

Though not dangerous for your health, suffering from athlete's foot can be a burden everyone wants to get rid of. If you've tried every one of our suggestions and home remedies, and the condition still persists, you may want to try out some of the readily available over-the-counter anti-fungal creams. If the problem spread or gets even worse, you should seek the advice of a doctor or a podiatrist.

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