Athletes Foot Getting You Down?

Are you just dying to get those runner’s off so that you can scratch your feet?  And when you do scratch, it feels soooo gooood, that you just want to keep on scratching.  These symptoms, along with redness blistering and peeling skin in the creases between your toes probably mean that somewhere down the road, you have picked up a case of athlete’s foot.  This is very common amongst runners and other athlete who share communal showers and change rooms.

Athletes foot is a fungal infection of the feet and toes that lives on the surface of your skin.  The fungal cells can live on wet warm surfaces for a period of time, so this is how athletes foot travels from one person to another so readily in locker rooms, showers and pool areas.  The best thing you can do would be to use a powder or cream for athletes foot and to wear cotton socks.  It is very important to keep the infected area dry, so if you are running or performing some other type of exercise where your feet sweat, change your socks often.  It’s also not a bad idea to treat your shoes with dusting powder so that the athletes foot would have a chance to clear up.  And, last but not least, remember to wear sandals in the shower so that you do not pass the athletes foot to other family members.

Here are some tips on the prevention of athletes foot:

• Avoid walking barefoot in communal showers, locker rooms or public pools - use sandals or shower shoes
• Reduce sweating by using talcum powder
• Wear light and airy runners that breath
• Wear socks that wick moisture and keep your feet dry

Athlete foot is contagious and can come in more severe cases than mentioned above.  It can spread to other parts of the body, such as the groin area and underarms just by scratching the infected area and then touching other parts of your body.  Pain, swelling and blisters can also accompany athlete foot.  If you have athletes foot that is more severe and you have been unsuccessful at getting rid of it, then it’s time to see a podiatrist.  They will probably prescribe a topical or oral antifungal medication.

Essential Running Gear

One of the best reasons for running is the cost and flexibility.  No high-priced monthly gym fees, no structured class schedules that you need to be on time for - just a pair of running shoes and your off - right?  Well, that picture is almost right, and you can go a long way with a good pair of running shoes, but eventually you will find your run alot more comfortable if you include some basic runner’s apparel in your running gear. 

Typically every runner’s wardrobe should consist of:

• Socks
• Shorts or tights
• Shirt
• Jacket
• Sports Bra (for women)

You will also want to consider the weather.  In colder weather, you may want to wear layers to stay warm and long tights instead of shorts or short tights.  Personally, I wear a light sleeveless wind jacket 6 months of the year.  Sometime, I will get out there and realize that it is too warm for the jacket, but it is easy to unzip and then the wind will cool you down.  They are so lightweight but yet offer such great protection to keep your body warm on the inside.

Today’s technical athletic clothing is primarily made of synthetic fibers, and you can find lightweight running shirts, sports bras, shorts and tights made from multiple layers of nylon and polyester based materials that are designed to wick moisture away from the skin, rather than absorbing it into the garment.  The new materials facilitate moisture movement, temperature management, breathability and support.  Remember those old cotton t-shirts that were worn for a run, and some still do, they tend to hold up to seven times its weight in water.  I think that we can all imagine how uncomfortable that would be on your body after you are getting into your run.

Female runners need to choose a sports bra that will minimize the breasts bouncing.  Look for a snug fit in a sports bra.  Today’s sports bras are well designed and often serve as outwear as well, which is great for those particularly hot days, where it is quite acceptable to go running in nothing more than your sports bra and a pair of shorts.  Large breasted women should look for molded cups, whereas smaller breasted women can go with the compression type bras that flatten the breasts.  Also important to consider are the seams and where they are positioned - are they rough or smooth and could they cause irritation during movement in your run.

One last tip:  In cold weather, a hat could prove quite useful.  70% of body heat is lost through your head, and wearing a hat really helps in keeping warm.

So, you really need a little bit more than a pair of running shoes.  But good quality running gear will keep your body comfortable in your runs, it will wash up very nicely and you should get years of use out of it.

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