Fungal infections in the foot can begin in the nail and easily spread to other family members, according to a recent article by Jessica Ryen Doyle for Fox News.

Now that summer is around the corner, we need to be wary of toenail and foot fungus infections which tend to proliferate when the environment is hot, humid, and moist.

The article references the Mayo Clinic which describes 7 potential symptoms of fungal foot infection.

• Toenails are thickened
• Toenails are brittle or crumbly
• Toenails are discolored
• Skin feels scratchy or itches
• Skin blisters
• Smelly feet
• Pain in the toes

New York City podiatric surgeon Doctor Suzanne Levine says that fungus infections that start in the skin or nail can eventually spread and lead to more serious conditions such as cellulitis.

In addition, these types of fungus infections can be transmitted to other members of your family quite easily.

Dr. Levine suggested these fungal infection avoidance tips:

• Avoid barefeet in any public facility like a steam room, locker room, or shower.
• For people who get pedicures, ensure all the tools and foot basins are cleaned and disinfected completely with bleach.
• Bring your own tools and bleach to the salon.
• Let your toenails breathe for a week or so between nail polish applications.
• Do not cut your toenail cuticles and use a cuticle moisturizer.
• Get microdermabrasion on your feet to reduce cracks and heel dryness.

Be aggressive on your treatment of any existing fungal infection.

Dr. Levine says that you can start with a topical cream like urea and if that does not work then consider seeing a doctor to receive oral medication. You would also need to have blood tests so that your liver enzymes can be monitored.

I recently saw an article where a person said he cured his sweaty feet problem simply by using an over the counter antiperspirant.

He would first wash his sweaty feet, dry them, and then apply an unscented solid antiperspirant — the kind you can get at any drugstore for underarm perspiration. He applied the antiperspirant to his toes and the area between the toes.

According to the writer, he tried this foot odor treatment for 30 days and it seemed to cure his stinky feet problem.

Logically this seems to make sense since he was reducing the perspiration and hence lowering the amount of bacteria growth which in turn causes foot odor.