Is it necessary to let feet breathe to prevent conditions like fungal infections and excessive sweating?

From the Guidelines

Yes, allowing your feet to breathe is necessary to prevent conditions like fungal infections and excessive sweating. You should aim to go barefoot when possible at home, wear breathable footwear made of natural materials like leather or canvas, and change your socks at least once daily, choosing moisture-wicking varieties. After bathing or swimming, thoroughly dry your feet, especially between the toes. If you're prone to sweaty feet, consider using foot powder containing talc or cornstarch, or antiperspirant sprays containing aluminum chloride. For those who must wear closed shoes all day, taking "airing breaks" by removing shoes for a few minutes when possible can help. These practices are important because warm, moist environments created by constantly covered feet provide ideal conditions for fungal growth (like athlete's foot) and bacteria that cause foot odor. Additionally, consistently damp skin becomes more vulnerable to breakdown, blisters, and infections. Proper foot ventilation helps maintain the skin's natural barrier function and reduces the risk of these common foot problems, as suggested by the British Association of Dermatologists' guidelines for the management of onychomycosis 1. Some key points to consider include:

• Wearing protective footwear to avoid re-exposure to fungal elements, especially in public areas 1
• Applying absorbent powder and antifungal powders in shoes and on the feet 1
• Keeping nails as short as possible and avoiding sharing toenail clippers with family members and friends 1
• Discarding old and moldy footwear or using methods to eliminate fungal elements from shoes, such as naphthalene mothballs or terbinafine solution 1 It's also important to note that people with diabetes should receive an annual foot examination to identify high-risk foot conditions, and those with neuropathy should have a visual inspection of their feet at every visit with a health care professional 1. However, the most recent and highest quality study on this topic is the British Association of Dermatologists' guidelines for the management of onychomycosis 1, which provides the most relevant and up-to-date information on preventing fungal infections and promoting foot health.

From the Research

Importance of Letting Feet Breathe

• Allowing feet to breathe is crucial in preventing conditions like fungal infections and excessive sweating, as it helps to reduce moisture accumulation, which can stimulate the growth of fungi and bacteria 2.
• Fungal infections, such as athlete's foot, can be caused by the invasion of dermatophytes into the horny layer of the skin, and can be exacerbated by hot weather, sweating, and tight shoes 2.
• Exposing feet to air, such as by wearing sandals, can help to enhance evaporation of water and prevent the accumulation of excess moisture, thereby reducing the risk of fungal infections 2.

Prevention of Fungal Infections

• Sanitization of footwear, socks, and textiles can help to prevent the spread of fungal infections, and methods such as UV light and silver-light irradiation technologies have shown promising results 3.
• The use of antifungal agents, such as ketoconazole and clotrimazole, can help to prevent the growth of fungi and reduce the risk of infection 4, 5.
• Combining sanitization methods with other preventative measures, such as proper foot hygiene and the use of antifungal agents, can help to enhance protection against reinfection 3.

Management of Fungal Infections

• Topical agents are usually effective and less expensive than oral agents for the treatment of dermatophytic infections of the foot, and laboratory diagnosis of fungal infection prior to institution of therapy is recommended 6.
• Oral therapy may be necessary for more extensive infections, such as vesicobullous and moccasin type, resistant infections, or chronic infections, and should also be considered in diabetic and immunosuppressed patients 6.
• Treatment of onychomycosis of the foot usually requires systemic therapy, and agents such as terbinafine, itraconazole, and fluconazole have been shown to have acceptable cure rates 6.