Q I'm an office worker in my 30s. How should I care for my feet during athlete's foot treatment?
A The most important thing is to dry your feet completely, including between the toes, after washing them. Wear cotton socks and avoid wearing the same shoes two days in a row. Wear slippers when using shared bathrooms, and as a rule, use your own towel only.
Detailed Answer
Because athlete's foot fungi thrive on moisture, keeping the feet dry is as important as treatment. Key foot care rules: First, after washing, dry thoroughly between the toes using a hairdryer on low heat. Second, wear cotton socks and change them once or twice a day. Third, alternate between two pairs of shoes (such as sneakers and dress shoes) to let the insides dry out. Fourth, keep nails trimmed short. Fifth, do not walk barefoot in public pools or bathhouses.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
At Dongjedang, we advise washing the affected area with lukewarm water and drying it completely with cool air. Feet that are always damp can also be an external reflection of internal Spleen-Stomach damp-heat. Combining topical Sophora root (gosam) and Amur cork tree bark (hwangbaek) compresses helps reduce local damp-heat and supports restoration of the skin barrier.
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