foot fungus Archives - Relieve Foot Pain & Leg Pain

From Damp to Dry: The Sweaty Feet Survival Guide

Sevan — Fri, 15 Aug 2025 14:36:14 +0000

Have you been able to make the most out of the summer? Getting out to the beach, hiking a trail through a forest, or playing your favourite sport? If so, you may have encountered a common problem: sweaty feet. Walking around all day in heavy boots or running around in the same shoes will cause significant foot perspiration and the strong desire to do your laundry more regularly.

While sweating and sweaty feet are normal to help us to cool down, there can come a time where it starts to cause problems. Beyond just a stinky smell, a medically excessive amount of sweating is called hyperhidrosis, and on the feet, plantar hyperhidrosis. This can lead to:

Blisters & Skin Breakdown
- When there is too much moisture consistently due to sweaty feet, the skin can either develop blisters from the friction, or breakdown entirely. This can cause pain and discomfort and create an uncomfortable experience.
Fungal Infections
- Certain microbes thrive in wet environments, and fungus is one of them. They enjoy cool, dark, and damp places, which are all conditions foot perspiration will create.
Odour and Bacteria Overgrowth
- That foot odour isn’t just smelly – it is a sign of bacteria, which is the source of the stench. In combination with openings created in the skin, we can get a much more serious infection of bacteria, leading to swelling and risk of further complications.
Ruined Shoes and Socks
- With constant moisture, socks and shoes can become damaged, or ridden with fungal organisms. There are UV lights available to treat shoes, but some choose to discard them.

Top Survival Tips

Let the feet breathe – Whenever you can, knock the shoes off and let the puppies out. The air flow will help to dry out the sweaty feet and cool them down.
Antiperspirant use – The use of medications such as Drysol (aluminum chloride hexahydrate) will stop the sweat glands from overproducing.
Clean Sweep® is an excellent solution that is also easy to use. With its Nanosilver formula, it effectively combats surface level bacteria, fungus, and odour when used regularly on your shoes.
Correct Sock Selection – Merino wool and synthetic polyester blends have great breathability and will allow sweaty feet to breathe. Silver/copper infused socks will be naturally antibacterial.
Rotating Shoes – Despite our best efforts to prevent foot perspiration, it will occur, and we need to let the shoes breathe and dry out on their own too.
Foot Hygiene – We can change our habits to include more frequent washing, drying between the toes, or using epsom salt baths more regularly.

When to see a BioPed Clinician

After trying your best, sweaty feet can still occur, and may require medical intervention. If you still experience persistent wetness, frequent infections, or an emotional and social impact, you may want to try seeing one of our BioPed clinicians.

They can discuss all aforementioned advice, but also give mention to prescription grade anti-perspirants, iontophoresis, or referrals towards injections, oral medications, or surgery.

If you are still struggling with sweaty feet after reading our survival guide, book an appointment at your nearest BioPed location today!

The post From Damp to Dry: The Sweaty Feet Survival Guide appeared first on Relieve Foot Pain & Leg Pain.

Athlete’s foot? What is it and how do you treat it?

BioPed Footcare — Thu, 10 Oct 2024 14:47:08 +0000

Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection of the skin and is also known as tinea pedis. Fungus likes to live where it is warm, dark and moist and as a result, people with sweaty feet are more susceptible to developing this type of infection. Athlete’s foot can be uncomfortable, smell bad and may even lead to other types of infections which could interfere with treatment and recovery. Fungal infections are contagious and can be spread from person-to-person. Additionally, if your immune system is compromised, you may also be more at risk.

Athlete’s foot can occur anywhere on the body but is especially common in between the toes and on the bottoms of the feet where the moisture level tends to be higher. A fungal infection on the bottom of the foot is known as moccasin tinea pedis as it typically covers the sole and sides of the foot like a moccasin or slipper.

What Causes Athlete’s Foot?

Athlete’s foot is caused by a particular fungus known as dermatophytes. It is referred to as “Athlete’s foot” because it’s often picked up in places that athletes frequent, such as showers, gyms and change rooms. These places are not the only sources of infection though. As mentioned previously, fungus lives where it is warm, dark and moist. Our socks and shoes are the ideal breeding ground for fungus to set up shop! When skin is too moist, it tends to be weaker and may be more susceptible to fungus and other microorganisms.

What Does Athlete’s Foot Feel and Look Like?

In between the toes:

The skin in between toes may appear white, peeling, cracked, and could feel itchy, have a burning or stinging sensation.
Inflamed skin in between toes can present as red, purple or grey.
White indicates the skin is macerated or wet.

Bottoms of the feet:

The skin on the sole and sides of the foot is typically itchy and may appear dry and scaly with peeling skin. Moccasin tinea pedis is often mistaken for dry skin.
This type of fungal infection tends to be long-lasting and difficult to eradicate, making proper diagnosis and prompt treatment imperative.
In more severe cases, small blisters or openings in the skin can develop as part of the rash.

How Can Athlete’s Foot be Treated?

It is important to seek treatment from a Primary Care Professional or a BioPed Medical Footcare Clinician if this skin issue becomes persistent or causes discomfort. Diabetes or a suppressed immune system can increase risk for complications as this type of infection can easily worsen and spread.

At home, it’s important to wash and dry in between the toes daily.
If moisture persists, rubbing alcohol can help to dry up overly wet tissue. Applying it with a cotton tip applicator and allowing it to dry before putting socks on, can help!
Over-the-counter and prescription antifungal creams and solutions are effective when applied as directed.
If moccasin tinea pedisdoes not resolve with topical treatments, an oral medication may be required to cure the infection.

Your Shoes Need Treatment Too!

Firstly, do not share shoes, this type of infection is contagious! Allow shoes to air out between wears and change socks frequently if feet are sweaty. Clean Sweep spray can be used in shoes to disinfect and eradicate the presence of microorganisms. If used properly, odour and fungal burden will dissipate quickly! Ultraviolet lights made to fit in shoes are also an effective way of making sure fungus is gone, lessening the chance of reinfection.

How Can BioPed Help?

If you think you might have a fungal foot infection, we can help! We have treated our clients for many conditions, including Athlete’s foot. Give your local BioPed Footcare & Orthotics a call today to find out the next best steps and get the care your feet deserve!

The post Athlete’s foot? What is it and how do you treat it? appeared first on Relieve Foot Pain & Leg Pain.

Do you have Athlete’s Foot? Find out the Causes, Treatments and Preventions here.

BioPed Footcare — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 09:08:00 +0000

What is athlete’s foot?

Athlete’s foot is a skin disease caused by a fungus. It most commonly occurs between the toes. Everyone is susceptible because our shoes create a warm, dark, and moist environment which encourages fungal growth. Not all fungus conditions are athlete’s foot and other conditions, such as allergic reactions, bacterial infections, eczema, and psoriasis, may mimic athlete’s foot.

Causes

Sharing towels, shoes or socks with someone who has athlete’s foot or getting a pedicure with dirty equipment can transfer the infection. The warm and damp environment surrounding swimming pools, showers, and locker rooms are also a breeding ground for fungi. Historically, the infection was common among athletes who used recreation facilities frequently and so the term “athlete’s foot” became popular.

Symptoms

The signs of athlete’s foot can include the following:

Dry skin
Itching and burning
Scaly or peeling skin
Inflammation or redness
Blisters and cracking of the skin

Athlete’s foot may spread to the soles of the feet and to the toenails. It can be spread to other parts of the body, notably the groin and underarms, by those who scratch the infection and then touch themselves elsewhere. It tends to spread within a family by walking barefoot in the home and not disinfecting the shower after possible contamination. The organisms causing athlete’s foot may also persist for long periods. Consequently, the infection may be spread by contaminated bed sheets or clothing to other parts of the body.

When to visit a BioPed Chiropodist

If an apparent fungus foot condition does not respond to proper foot hygiene and there is no improvement within two weeks, consult a BioPed Chiropodist for medical treatment.

Diagnosis and treatment

Your BioPed Chiropodist will determine if a fungus is truly the cause of the problem. If it is, a specific treatment plan, including the prescription of antifungal medication, applied topically or taken by mouth, will usually be suggested.

The soles of our feet have a special layer of skin that is not found much elsewhere on our body. This layer contributes the thickness of our soles and also makes the penetration of certain medications difficult. Hence, prescription antifungal drugs are frequently necessary. If the infection is caused by bacteria, antibiotics that are effective against a broad spectrum of bacteria may be prescribed.

It is important to keep the feet dry by dusting foot powder in shoes and hose. The feet should be bathed frequently and all areas around the toes dried thoroughly. Also, wearing white cotton socks that can be bleached and changing them at least twice a day will be helpful during treatment.

Speak with your BioPed Footcare Lower Limb Clinician for more helpful tips.

Prevention

It is not easy to prevent athlete’s foot because it is usually contracted in change rooms, showers, and swimming pool locker rooms where bare feet come in contact with the fungus. However, you can do much to prevent infection by practicing good foot hygiene:

Wash feet daily with soap and water; dry carefully, especially between the toes
Avoid walking barefoot; use shower shoes
Reduce perspiration by using talcum powder
Wear light and airy shoes
Change shoes and hose regularly to decrease moisture
Wear cotton blend (not 100% cotton) socks to keep your feet dry by moisture wicking; change them frequently if you perspire heavily

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