Protecting Feet from Fungus in the Locker Room

The locker room is iconic. Not only is it the spot where athletes get ready for the big game and movie-star coaches offer inspirational speeches to rally the team to a comeback, it’s also the place you go to prep for your own workouts. All in all, a lot of time gets spent in locker rooms. Unfortunately, all that heat, moisture, and sweat makes the locker room the perfect place to spread or contract a fungal nail infection. Protecting your feet from fungus is an important part of keeping your nails healthy.

The fungus that causes both itchy athlete’s foot and uncomfortable fungal nails thrives in locker rooms. Because so many people share the same space, walk on the same floors, and contribute to the warm, damp environment, it’s very easy for the infection to spread. It’s resilient, too, so even though most locker rooms and showers are cleaned regularly, if not daily, the pathogen continues to thrive. It’s highly contagious, so it’s very easy for a contaminated floor to pass it right to your feet when you walk barefoot.

That’s why you should take these precautions to prevent your local locker room from giving you a fungal nail infection:

Always wear shower shoes – Never walk barefoot in your locker room. Wear sandals or shower shoes at all times to protect your feet from contaminated surfaces.
Use moisture-wicking socks and good shoes – Make your feet less hospitable to the infection by wearing moisture-wicking socks and shoes that allow air to circulate around your toes when you exercise.
Avoid sharing towels and footwear – Never share towels or footwear with others in your locker room. If they have picked up foot fungus, they can contaminate your things and pass it to you.
Consider pre-treating – Try using antifungal sprays or powders in your footwear or on your feet (or both) to kill any stray fungal cells that you might have picked up.

The more effort you put into preventing fungal nails, the less likely you’ll have to deal with an infection in the long run. If you’re struggling with prevention, or think your locker room or some other place may have already given you toenail fungus, let our team at Dallas Podiatry Works help you take care of the problem quickly. You can use our website or call our offices to make an appointment with us: call 972.853.7100 for our Dallas office, or (972) 943-3323 for our Plano location.

The doctor has great “bedside manners” when talking to patients. Great staff and comfortable atmosphere.

Derrick W.

The staff at Dallas Podiatry Works could not have been more courteous, helpful, and professional in doing their job. They made me feel comfortable when I was there, which is certainly appreciated. They answered all the questions that I had and just made each visit the most pleasurable that it could be. I would highly recommend them to anyone needing this type of foot care.

Joseph B.

I would highly recommend Dr. Brook to anyone with foot problems–especially problems that stump other podiatrists. He really is very caring and very knowledgeable.

Jeannette H.

Dr. Joel Brook and the staff were nice and helpful. Though I was a new patient, I got right in as soon as they were open in my preferred location. They diagnosed the problem and provided medicines along with a perfect gel bandage so I could keep exercising while my toes healed. My toes already hurt less and look a little better each day. If I have future issues, I will be a repeat customer. Here’s hoping I don’t, but at least I know my feet are in good hands.

Meryl E.

I visited this office for an ingrown toe nail a few years ago. After seeing another doctor, who made it worse, he referred me to Dallas Podiatry Works. The doctor there was able to fix my problem. I’m not great with reviews, all I can tell you is that this doctor and staff will have you up and running or doing whatever it is you do in no time. You will be in great hands. You’d be a fool not to use this doctor. Now its time to visit him again for the other toe.

Google User

Been having bad ankle pains for 6 months was referred here and it was a great visit ladies in the front desk medical assistants and the Doctor were all very friendly and make you feel very comfortable.