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Kick your feet up this summer without the discomfort of foot fungus. Foot fungus is a lot more common that it seems. It is also known as Athlete’s foot. It is caused by the same type of fungi that causes ringworms.

Here are 5 tips to keep your feet fungus free:

1. Avoid moisture around your feet and keep your feet clean.
   Sweat and bacteria are the best conditions for fungi to grow. By keeping your feet dry, you can nip fungi in the bud. To help, you could either wear open shoes, wear pure cotton socks, or use foot powder. The next step is to keep your feet clean. Wear clean socks every day and when you shower, wash between your toes.  
2. Don’t walk barefoot in damp environments.
   Damp areas are the biggest cause of foot fungi. These could be places such as gym showers, public campsites, and communal bathroom facilities. Flip flops are a good idea for an area like this. You will thank yourself later.
3. Don’t cover up or ignore existing infections.
   Sometimes people cover up their toe infections with nail polish, but that only makes the infection worse because it cuts the oxygen and keeps the infection enclosed.
4. Allow your shoes to breathe.
   Allowing your shoes to breathe and dry properly helps to prevent bacteria growing in your shoes, therefore, eliminating the problem before it becomes one.
5. Don’t share foot grooming tools or footwear.
   The fungus can live on the surface of objects, making it very easy for a person to get a fungus from sharing nail clippers, nail files, shoes and socks. To avoid this risk, get your own foot grooming tools and take them with you wherever you go.

Use the Bestmed app to find a healthcare practioner near you.
Should you suspect you have a foot fungus, you can visit a Dis-Chem, Clicks, Van Heerden, Alpha Pharm, or Sparkport Pharmacy near you to get over-the-counter creams and solutions for foot fungus.
Alternatively, you could use the Bestmed app to find a doctor or clinic near you.

References
Health24, 2018. Health24. [Online] 
Available at: https://www.news24.com/health24/medical/skin/fungal-skin/7-tips-to-keep-your-feet-fungus-free-this-summer-20181207
[Accessed: 17 January 2022].