Episode 382: Should you go barefoot when you have athlete's foot?
In this episode, Ucchi, a practicing pharmacist, answers a listener's question about the relationship between athlete's foot and going barefoot. We delve into whether walking around barefoot helps maintain foot hygiene or if it actually increases the risk of infection, exploring the truth from a pharmaceutical perspective.
Athlete's foot uses a surprising substance as a source of nutrition.
The fungus that causes athlete's foot, Trichophyton, grows by feeding on keratin found in the stratum corneum of the skin. It is actually a condition that can potentially infect anywhere on the body, not just the feet, including the nails, hands, and scalp.
There are surprising benefits to going barefoot.
For Trichophyton, which thrives in hot and humid environments, wearing socks that trap moisture creates the perfect breeding ground. Therefore, going barefoot is sometimes recommended as a way to keep the feet dry. In the main episode, we discuss the specific mechanisms of fungal infection and offer tips for household precautions where the infection is likely to spread, so please give it a listen if you're concerned.
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