Athlete's Foot
The warm, dark and humid environment created by socks and airtight shoes creates ideal conditions for fungal growth. Swimming pools, showers and locker rooms are also breeding grounds for Tinea.

Athlete’s foot most commonly occurs between the toes and on the soles of the feet. If left untreated, the infection may spread to the toenails, invading and eventually destroying the nail plates. The symptoms of athlete’s foot include dry skin, itching, scaliness, inflammation and blisters.

Athlete’s foot can spread to other parts of the body, in particular, the groin (jock itch) when the affected person does not practice appropriate hygiene. Nylon socks and socks that are not washed between wearings play a major role in the development of athlete’s foot. Here are some tips on preventing the condition:

• Wash the feet daily with soap and water. Dry well, especially between the toes.
• Dry the feet well after a bath or shower and after swimming.
• Avoid walking barefoot in locker rooms or public shower areas. Use shower shoes if possible.
• Wear dry, well-ventilated shoes like sandals or thongs, and clean, absorbent socks (preferably cotton).
• Change socks regularly if you perspire heavily.
• Dust feet with cornstarch or talcum powder or use a product especially formulated to treat athlete’s foot, such as Tinactin*

Jock Itch
This unpleasant and persistent itching and scaliness affects the groin and thigh area. It is usually caused by Tinea, but may also result from a bacterial infection, irritating garments or chemicals in clothing and detergents.

Symptoms of jock itch include red, scaly, raised areas that burn or itch and ooze pus or clear fluid. You're more likely to become infected if you perspire heavily or are overweight. (Overweight people have skin folds that trap moisture and provide an ideal breeding ground for Tinea.)

Jock itch can affect men and women of any age but is most common among males between the age of 18 and 40 years. A common cause is the use of an athletic support (“jock strap”), which is not washed after wearing and is stored in a dark, poorly ventilated locker or gym bag. The fungus multiplies on the support and invades the skin of the groin the next time it is worn. The condition may also arise after contact with the fungus that causes athlete’s foot. This frequently happens when a person with athlete’s foot first uses a towel to dry the feet, and then moves on to other areas of the body, using the same towel. If you have athlete’s foot, you should make sure you put your socks on before your underwear and never share towels.

To relieve jock itch and to prevent further infections, you should observe the following:

• Wear loose-fitting clothing, preferably cotton. Boxer shorts are recommended for men.
• Avoid wearing rough-textured clothing that can irritate your skin.
• Change underwear frequently, especially after work if you perspire on the job, and in hot weather.
• Bathe or shower right after a workout. Apply cornstarch, talcum powder or a product specially formulated to control jock itch - such as Tinactin* - to the groin area after you dry yourself.
• Launder your workout clothes after each wearing and never store them in a locker or gym bag while damp.
• Avoid deodorant soap, which can further irritate the groin area.
• Sleep in the nude or in a nightshirt.

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