Hi everyone, I’ve been a lurker here for a few weeks while I’ve been dealing with a pretty persistent case of athlete’s foot and a bit of yellowing on my big toe. It’s been such a frustrating journey, as I’m sure many of you know. I’ve been really careful with the creams and keeping my feet dry at home, but I’m hitting a bit of a mental wall lately.
Swimming is my main form of exercise and, honestly, my biggest stress reliever. Since this whole fungal situation started, I’ve completely cut out my trips to the local community pool. I’m just so worried about two things: first, I don’t want to be “that person” who accidentally spreads this to someone else, and second, I’m terrified that the constant moisture and the chemicals in the pool might actually set my progress back or make the infection even worse. I’ve been feeling pretty down about missing my laps, and I’m wondering if any of you have successfully managed the pool or the gym locker room while undergoing treatment? Is it even possible to do it safely, or am I better off just waiting until I’m 100% clear? I’ve heard mixed things about wearing those waterproof “pool socks” or just being extra careful with flip-flops, but I’d love to hear from people who have actually been in my shoes (pun intended, I guess!).
If I do decide to go back, what’s the best post-swim routine to make sure I don’t undo all the hard work I’ve put into my recovery? I was thinking about bringing a separate towel just for my feet and maybe applying my antifungal cream immediately after drying off, but I’m not sure if that’s enough. Also, does the chlorine in the pool actually help kill the fungus, or is that just an old wives’ tale? I’ve read so much conflicting information online that my head is spinning.
I really value the support in this group and would appreciate any tips or even just some encouragement. It feels like such a small thing to complain about, but when it stops you from doing what you love, it really starts to weigh on you. I have tried using different foot powders and even changed my diet slightly to see if that helps, but the pool is the one thing I can’t figure out. Thank you all for being such a great resource and for helping me feel a little less alone in this struggle! I just want to get back into the water without feeling guilty or making my toes worse.