How to Disinfect Showers for Athlete's Foot
You don't have to be an NFL quarterback to get a case of athlete's foot. Trichophyton, more commonly called athlete's foot, is a fungal infection that appears on the top, bottom or side of the foot. It can also appear between the toes or in and around the toenails. It causes a red, itchy rash on the foot or nail bed. The fungus grows well in warm moist places, especially in showers. Walking barefoot in these damp areas can cause the contagious infection. Since athlete's foot is very common and spreads easily, it's important to keep germs, bacteria and fungus under control by regularly disinfecting wet surfaces. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Latex gloves
- Damp cleaning rag
- Disinfecting cleaning product, with the active ingredients pine oil, sodium hypochlorite, phenols, ethanol, or benzalkonium chloride
Instructions
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Choose a cleaning product that does not require scrubbing and comes in a spray bottle or can. There is a difference between products that simply clean surfaces and products that disinfect surfaces. In order to properly kill the fungus that causes athlete's foot, you must use a disinfectant. If you choose a product that only cleans, you will not kill the fungus. If you use a product that only disinfects, you will have to clean the surface first. Look for products that combine cleaning and disinfecting. These products are a convenient one-step process. Look for the words "disinfectant cleaner" on the label.
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Put on rubber gloves. Gloves protect the skin from the irritating chemicals in disinfecting cleaning products.
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Clear out all items in the shower before applying cleaner. Hold container 6-8 inches from surface to be treated. Spray area until it is wet.
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Wait ten minutes to allow disinfectant cleaner to penetrate surface and kill fungus.
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Wipe disinfectant off with clean, damp rag.
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Rinse with warm shower water.
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Repeat process daily until athlete's foot infection has cleared with prescribed medication to prevent re-infection. Once infection is cleared, disinfect shower weekly for maintenance.
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Tips & Warnings
* Consult with a doctor and treat the athlete's foot infection with recommended medications or products.
* Look for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) label on any disinfectant product you chose to make sure it complies with the standards of safety and effectiveness for killing the fungus that causes athlete's foot.
* Make sure to remove excess dirt, grim, or soil before disinfecting your shower if your product is not a combination disinfectant and cleaner.
* If you want to go natural, there are botanical disinfectants on the market.
* When showering in a public place such as a gym or swimming pool, wear skid-proof shower shoes to avoid getting athlete's foot.
* Make sure the area you are treating is well ventilated to avoid being overcome with fumes.
* Keep disinfectant product out of the reach of children.
* Keep disinfectant product away from flames, it could explode.
* Never mix different products together. This can cause dangerous fumes.
* Before using disinfectant product read warning label on container in case product gets in eyes or is swallowed. Follow directions for proper product storage and disposal methods.
