Foot fungal Intection

How To Prevent Diabetic Foot Fungal Infections? – Dr. Sunil Choudhary

In the monsoon season, you need to take special care of your health. With the rising humidity and infections, it is the season for fungal infections or bacteria. If you are a diabetic patient, foot care is an important part of your health. 

What You Should Know:

How does the monsoon cause fungal infections?

The humidity and moisture in the air during the monsoon season can lead to sweating, stickiness and moisture. This encourages growth of fungus and mould, especially if your feet are often drenched in water. 

This fungal infection can lead to bacterial infection, which affects your deeper tissues and damages your ligaments too.

How does the monsoon cause fungal infectionsWhy diabetics require preventive foot care? 

As a diabetic, foot care can be an important part of your health. Wounds take a longer time to heal if you are diabetic, and these monsoon fungal infections can cause serious health concerns like ulcers or even athlete’s foot.  

5 Tips to avoid fungal foot infections

When it comes to footcare in the monsoon, personal hygiene and sanitation are highly important. Here are some practices you should involve in your diabetic foot care plan during the monsoon: 

  • Tip 1: Use monsoon friendly footwear

Use monsoon friendly footwear

Wearing rubber and plastic footwear like flip-flops and sandals can be suitable for the monsoon. They avoid soaking up water and keep your feet dry for longer. Ensure that you are not wearing tight footwear which can leave your feet clamped.  

  • Tip 2: Keep your toenails clean

It is important to examine your foot regularly and cut your toenails to keep them clean. It might be better to trim your nails because if you cut them too close to your skin, it could lead to cuts which increase fungal growth. 

  • Tip 3: Wash your feet thoroughly

Wash your feet thoroughly

As soon as you return home, you should take off your footwear and wash your feet completely. You can use warm water and soap or even antiseptic if you are walking in the rain. You should also scrub your foot to remove dirt. 

  • Tip 4: Avoid wearing clothes on damp skin

Keep your skin dry before you put on your socks or footwear. You should also ensure that your socks and shoes are completely dry before you put them on. The same applies to your clothing in the monsoon. 

  • Tip 5: Avoid self-medication

Avoid self-medication

If you already contract a fungal infection, you should avoid self-medicating. You should consult a dermatologist to know the fungal infection treatment which includes understanding the fungal strain and what medication will work on it. 

Apart from foot fungal infections, you can also find health advice to prevent growth of black fungus or mucormycosis which is a prominent health risk today. For more fitness or nutrition related advise, visit the Activ Living Blog.

Dr. Sunil Choudhary

MBBS, MBA, he has 12 years of clinical and corporate experience. Running and Reading are his ways of Meditating. He prefers spending time with his kids and family than spending time on social media.