The German Association of Dermatologists stated that foot fungi especially target athletes during the summer, as athletic shoes provide a fertile environment for fungi to grow and reproduce due to sweat and increased body heat.
The association added that minor skin injuries increase the risk of foot fungi, as when the skin's protective barrier is damaged, fungal germs can easily penetrate and multiply within the skin.
Signs indicating a foot fungus infection include changes in nail color to white or yellow, thickening of the nail plate, and inflammation of the nail layer. Infected nails are usually brittle and prone to breaking.
Foot fungi are treated with antifungal medications. To prevent re-infection, socks and towels should be washed at a temperature of at least 60 degrees Celsius.
For prevention, athletes should allow their shoes to dry well after training and place them in well-ventilated areas. It may also be beneficial to have a spare pair of shoes and to wear socks and shoes that have good ventilation, as well as wearing flip-flops in swimming pools and saunas, which are breeding grounds for foot fungi.
