You may think now that you’re a college student; the only thing you have to worry about is gaining a few extra pounds. For those of you who choose to walk around barefoot, you are greatly mistaken.

Athlete’s foot is a problem for college students. Living in a dormitory, sharing bathrooms and showers put students at a risk for this foot fungus.

What is Athlete’s foot? Also known as tinea pedis, it’s a condition of the foot caused by a fungal infection. It is closely related to other fungal infections such as ringworm and jock itch.

Most typical place for Athlete’s foot to appear is in the moist areas between your toes.

Symptoms for Athlete’s foot is itching, stinging, and burning between your toes. You may also experience itchy blisters, cracking and peeling skin between your toes, discolored toenails, and excessive dryness of the skin. A fungal infection of the nail may also develop with Athlete’s foot.

Athlete’s foot is one of the easier conditions to take care of if caught quickly enough. Over-the-counter anti-fungal ointments are sold at drugstores and Wal-Mart.

Prevention of Athlete’s foot is as simple as wearing flip-flops every time you go to the community bathroom or pool. Do not shower barefoot in a community bathroom.

Thoroughly washing and drying your feet will also save you the unpleasantness of a fungal infection.