Don’t Step on That!

We are halfway through summer, so take your family on a mini-vacation to Dollywood Splash Country to unwind and cool off. Enjoy your time lying out by the wave pool (under an umbrella, because you take care of your skin!) and dipping your feet in the water occasionally to cool them off from the scorching pavement. Then go home relaxed and happy… until the next morning when you wake up to red, scaly, itchy feet. You’ve brought home an unwanted souvenir – you’ve contracted athlete’s foot.

Athlete’s foot is a hygiene-related, fungal infection that affects the skin and foot. The different fungi that cause athlete’s foot thrive in warm, damp areas such as pools, public showers and locker rooms. It’s highly contagious and is contracted by coming in contact with either the skin scales or the fungi.

Luckily, it’s easily treatable – one of our doctor’s would prescribe a topical or oral anti-fungal medication. Athlete’s foot is also easily preventable; the Center for Disease Control recommends keeping toenails short and clean, and wearing sandals when using public showers, pools and locker rooms.

So next time you decide to go to Dollywood Splash Country, or even to the neighborhood pool, pack your cutest pair of sandals – for the sake of hygiene, of course.

Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Visit with one of our board certified physicians to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential. Schedule an appointment with Knoxville Dermatology Group today at 865-690-9467.