Our feet rarely receive the attention and care that they deserve, which is why foot infections are fairly common in all age groups.
One of the most common skin infections of the feet is athlete’s foot. The infection is aptly named athlete’s foot because it is common among athletes.
This is because due to their intensive training regime, their sweaty feet are confined in tight-fitting shoes for long periods.
These conditions lead to athlete’s foot. However, don’t get fooled by the name as anyone can get tinea pedis!
What Is Athlete’s Foot?
The infection is also known as tinea pedis and is caused by fungus. It is closely related to some other fungal infections like Jock Itch and ringworm.
While it can infect any part of the foot, it usually starts between the toes and spreads over the bottom of the foot.
Symptoms include itching or stinging or a burning sensation between the toes. In some cases, the skin discolors and blisters may also appear.
If it spreads to the toenails, they turn thick and brittle and may even peel away from the nail bed.
While this fungal infection is not very serious, sometimes, it can be hard to treat. What makes it worse is that it is extremely contagious.
It spreads through various mediums, including the floor. Since it thrives in cool and moist environments, bathrooms offer the ideal growing conditions.
This makes it essential to know how to remove athlete’s foot fungus from a bathroom.
If you share a bathroom, it is important to disinfect it properly to stop the spread of athlete’s foot and similar fungal infections.
However, rinsing your bathroom with water won’t do the trick. You must deep-clean the bathroom to make sure it is free from all kinds of harmful fungi.
Let’s take a look at the right way to get the job done to keep your feet in optimal health.
How To Remove Athlete’s Foot Fungus From A Bathroom
You can remove athlete’s foot fungus from a bathroom in six simple steps.
Step 1 – Choose The Right Cleaning And Disinfecting Product
The first thing you need to do is to choose the right bathroom cleaning products.
While it may sound simple, owing to the variety of cleaning products available in the market, it can get overwhelming to pick the right product.
This makes it important to know what to look for. Not every product that is designed to clean will get rid of athlete’s foot fungus.
Similarly, not every product that is designed to disinfect will clean all bathroom surfaces. So choose wisely and look for a disinfectant cleaner.
A disinfectant cleaner will not only disinfect the bathroom to kill fungi, but it will also leave your bathroom sparkling clean.
When it is possible, it is best to go for a disinfectant cleaner in a spray bottle. This will reduce your proximity to the bathroom surfaces while applying the product.
As a result, the chances of getting athlete’s foot while cleaning the bathroom will decrease. It is also advisable to look for products that do not require a lot of scrubbing.
Step 2 – Safety First!
You are cleaning the bathroom to get rid of athlete’s foot fungus – not get it. So, make sure you take all precautions.
In this case, taking precaution means wearing gloves and putting on some bathroom shoes. Keep your feet from touching the ground directly.
Also, cover your hands to ensure you don’t transmit the fungi.
Keep in mind that the fungi can survive in dry areas, too, for some time, which is why it is best to wear the shoes even outside of the bathroom if someone in the house has athlete’s foot.
Step 3 – Clear Out The Bathroom
Once you are all suited up for cleaning, it’s time to clear out the bathroom.
Remove all other toiletries, including your toothbrush, soap, shampoo bottles, etc.
While this step may not seem very important, it is essential to clear out the bathroom before applying the disinfectant cleaner. You don’t want that stuff on the products that you use!
Step 4 – Apply Disinfectant And Wipe
It is best to look for a disinfectant cleaner in a spray bottle. However, if you can’t find one, you can always transfer the liquid into an empty spray bottle at home.
Spray the areas that need to be cleaned and disinfected. Make sure you hold the bottle at least 6 inches away from the surface.
Spray until the surface is wet. Now, wait for around 10 – 15 minutes as the disinfectant performs its job and kills the fungus.
It is advisable to read the instructions on the label to see how long you must wait before wiping the disinfectant from the surface.
Use a clean, damp rag to wipe the surface. If required, you can also use a brush to scrub the surface.
However, if you use a brush, make sure you disinfect it before using again.
Step 5 – Rinse With Water
Finally, rinse the area with warm water. If possible, use hot water to clean the areas as fungi cannot survive at very high temperatures.
If any house member struggles with athlete’s foot, repeat the process daily until the infection lasts.
Afterward, disinfect the bathroom at least once a week as a preventative measure.
Multiple over-the-counter medicines are available to treat athlete’s foot.
If the infection persists, you can also consult with a doctor to find the right treatment for it.
Now that you know how to remove athlete’s foot fungus from a bathroom, you can keep your bathroom free from harmful fungi.
Other preventative measures include washing all items of clothing that may have come in contact with the infected person.
If possible, use hot water and disinfectants to wash the clothes. Avoid sharing shoes or slippers and air out your shoes.
Also, don’t forget to wash your feet every day.
Remember, prevention is better than cure. So clean and disinfect your bathroom today and prevent the spread of this contagious fungal infection!
Pin This Image
This account is run by a team of writers, researches, and more who simply love contributing to the site.