Athlete’s Foot In Carpet?

Yes, athlete’s foot can live in carpets for many years.

Athlete’s Foot in Carpet? Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection which can be caused by coming in contact with various types of fungi. It can be transmitted easily as it grows easily in humid and warm places like rugs, carpets, bathroom floors, heated pools, shower stalls, wet shoes and socks, hot tubs and clothing of other people, etc.

How athlete’s foot live on carpet?

The spores of fungus and mold can live on the carpets and rugs for many years unless they are cleaned thoroughly by professional carpet cleaning services. Carpeted surfaces and wood floors are the good sources of transmission of athlete’s foot from one person in the family to the others. This fungus can infect your toenails easily when you walk on such infected carpets. Its growth can be low in your toenails unless you wear wet socks and shoes. If you have disinfected your feet even then you can again get infected as this fungus is transferred from the infected feet of others as well as your one infected foot to the other.

Spreading of athlete’s foot fungus

The infection of athlete’s foot spreads when your skin comes in contact with the fungi causing this skin condition. When the conditions for the growth of athlete’s foot are good, your shoes can carry the spores of fungi and leave them on your carpet. Then, when your foot comes in contact with the fungi spores, they can infect your toenails. But it will grow at a faster rate when your foot will get favorable conditions like wearing wet socks, your feet sweat continuously, your skin is softened by wearing a bandage for longer time or friction caused by very much tight shoes.

Symptoms

Normally the infection of athlete’s foot occurs on the soles, sides of the feet or between the toes. Initially, it softens the skin and makes it look whiter. Then the infected skin starts cracking and peeling. Usually, the skin can be itchy but not always. The skin looks red when its top layer is removed. Sometimes, blisters are developed on infected skin which can be very painful, especially if the skin on the bottom of the foot is infected. If the infection is between the toenails then they become brittle, thick and yellow.

Treatment

This infection should be treated as possible. You can apply any OTC anti-fungal cream or ointment according to the instructions provided on its package. Any anti-fungal or talcum powder can also be sprayed inside the shoes and on the feet to avid its growth. Its symptoms can disappear within 2-3 weeks. So you should continue to use these treatments until symptoms persist.

Preventive measures to avoid athlete’s foot infection

In fact, prevention is the best treatment for athlete’s foot. You can prevent this infection by keeping your feet dry and clean by washing them daily with soap and water. If your feet sweat a lot then you should change your socks daily or even twice a day. The socks you wear should be able to absorb moisture. Instead of wearing synthetic socks you should prefer to wear cotton socks until the symptoms continue. After a shower or bath dry your feet thoroughly even by using a hairdryer, if required. To absorb moisture on the foot or between toes sprinkle talcum powder. Wash your towels and socks daily in hot water. Wear open sandals or shoes as much as possible to allow your feet to breathe. While using public showers, hot tubs or swimming pools you should avoid going barefoot.

Prevention of growth of athlete’s foot infection on carpets

The only effective way to prevent the existence of the spores of athlete’s foot causing fungus on the carpet is calling a professional cleaning service to deep clean your carpets. Though you can also spray organic pesticides and antifungal products on the carpet to kill the fungus causing athlete’s foot but you cannot remove them absolutely from the carpet as they can go deep into its fiber and come on the surface again after some time. So it is better to call a professional service to provide carpet cleaning services for this purpose.