Athlete’s foot makes older adults suffer
Even though you may want to avoid the issue, athlete’s foot can be stubbornly persistent and affect your older adult’s quality of life. Honestly, how happy could anyone be if their feet are burning with itchiness?
Why do older adults get athlete’s foot?
Unfortunately, this condition is common among older adults. Fungal and bacterial conditions thrive on elderly feet because older adults are less able to keep their feet clean and dry. It’s also much easier for germs to take hold in their overly dry, cracking skin. Symptoms include severe or persistent itching, redness, swelling, or pain.
Eliminate athlete’s foot with 4 daily steps
- Clean: Teach your older adult to thoroughly clean their feet, including between the toes. Consider this highly rated tea tree oil soap
. Make sure they’re in a safe position first to avoid falls! - Dry: Dry feet thoroughly, especially between toes because bacteria will thrive on damp or moist feet.
- Medicated Cream: Apply an over-the-counter or prescription medicated cream for athlete’s foot all over the foot and sparingly between the toes.
- Moisturize: After 10-15 minutes when the medicated cream sinks in, apply a good moisturizer like Flexitol Heel Balm to keep skin from drying out.
Additional tips
Wear open-toe slippers at home
Avoid wearing socks and shoes as much as possible since that keeps feet warm and moist – perfect conditions for fungus! For home, we like these inexpensive, adjustable, open-toe slippers with closed backs. They’re comfortable, won’t slip off the foot, and allow toes and feet to breathe. Try this style for men or this style for women.
Disinfect socks
One method for keeping athlete’s foot from flaring up is to soak socks in water with a splash of Pine Sol
after wearing. An anti-fungal disinfectant like Pine Sol helps kill any athlete’s foot fungus left in the sock fibers. After soaking for a while, wash the socks as usual. Washing with hot water and a hot dryer also helps to kill germs.
Clean shoes
It’s also helpful to clean your older adult’s shoes because the fungus can also live inside the shoe. Each time they wear those shoes, they could reintroduce the fungus to their feet. Wipe the shoe insides with Pine Sol or spray thoroughly with Lysol
.
Rule out more serious conditions
Before trying the above tips, see their doctor or a podiatrist to understand the cause of the problem and rule out serious infections like cellulitis.
You might also like:
— Solve Foot Pain with Adaptive Shoes for Seniors
— Elderly Foot Care Products That Work
— Q & A: Why Do Seniors Shuffle When They Walk?
By DailyCaring Editorial Team
Image: Wired UK
