For those of you who didn’t get to go away, I’m sure you’ll be proud to know that you survived the second-hottest summer on record in Dubai. And if you’re anything like me, you’ll be enjoying the cool, rainy days for the welcome respite they bring. A chance to indulge in a walk after work – rather than leaping gasping into a passing taxi.
As Dubai residents we’re not really used to this weather – although I’m sure some of the expats are feeling right at home – and are still going about in flimsy pumps, open-toed or leather shoes.
Those puddles that seem almost impossible to avoid are a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi. Getting your feet wet may not seem like a big deal – unless you’re wearing this season’s Blahnik’s – but not drying your feet properly, or spending a prolonged period of time in those damp shoes can leave you susceptible to a fungal infection called athlete’s foot.
Athlete’s foot thrives in warm and moist environments, making a damp foot inside a shoe the ideal spot for it to live. One of the most common foot problems in the Gulf –with 40% of sufferer’s not even realising they have it – athlete’s foot causes itching and burning between the toes and may even spread to the toenails, turning them thick and yellow.
If you’re not keen on leaving it to spread elsewhere on your body – like your scalp, hands or groin, treat athlete’s foot as soon as it appears. A fungicidal treatment such as Lamisil cream or spray will not only kill the fungus, but it’ll protect your feet from re-infection.
Now, where did I put my umbrella?
