Drying between toes

[ChillySwimmer]

Since my feet have been 'remodelled' by RA, I have to be really careful about drying between my toes after a bath/shower or swimming. Toes 4 and 5 on both feet are closer together than they used to be, and if that space isn't completely dry, the skin gets macerated.

Just towelling it off once isn't enough - I have to keep redoing it. If my skin is warm, the toe spaces get damp again within minutes of me towelling them. It even stays wet for ages if I walk around the house barefoot afterwards, which isn't always practical. My hairdryer on the lowest setting initially dries the skin, but it dampens again because of the heat. Infuriating!

I asked the question on a swimming group, but the unhelpful replies included 'I never dry mine', 'sounds like athletes foot' and the slightly less-unhelpful 'you could try barefoot shoes'. With hindsight, I suppose the non-RA majority don't appreciate that my feet have actually changed shape. I'm thinking this is a better place to ask the question.

So, does anyone else have this problem, and if so, how do you deal with it? I don't want to end up with a skin infection. Thanks! 😀👣

[helixhelix]

I use a hair dryer, plus a weekly betadine wipe (an iodine based antiseptic)

[ChillySwimmer in reply to helixhelix]

I've never heard of betadine wipes... thanks for the idea! 🙂

[helixhelix in reply to ChillySwimmer]

I don’t use them daily becaise of the iodine. But I think Dettol works too as drys out the area.

[Stills]

yes, I put little bits of cotton wool between the worst affected toes and remove them later at an appropriate moment during the day.

[vonniesims in reply to Stills]

Yes, I use bits of tissue

[Runrig01]

I have an excellent piece of kit I got off Amazon. The handle is available in 3 lengths.

Toe towel

[Haz58 in reply to Runrig01]

These are great I have one!

[Pippy25 in reply to Runrig01]

Yes I bought one to help me after my total knee replacement last year and still use it. You can buy a set of replacement 'socks' which is helpful to know too.

[ABwn in reply to Runrig01]

This looks good. Hadn't realised you could get something like this. Online shopping today!!

[Madmusiclover]

I use a flannel. Other towels are too much towel! I like the look of the toe towel though

[ABwn]

Yes it's happened to me between 2 toes. GP has given me some cream but am going to have to go back as it hasn't done anything. GP thinks it's athletes foot, skin peeling but no itch. 🤔

[Nanainthegarden in reply to ABwn]

I find tea tree oil works on athletes foot.

[Stills in reply to Nanainthegarden]

Me too and the neat version diluted correctly with a carrier oil is starting to kill off fungal nail infection too

[ABwn in reply to Nanainthegarden]

Thank you Nanainthegarden. , GP gave me a script for canesten. Hasn't done anything so will get some tree oil. I have no idea where I picked up the infection?? Have a good weekend.

[ChillySwimmer in reply to ABwn]

Hope you get some useful ideas off this thread!

[wilbertjellyfish]

I use baby powder for some areas but not my toes currently. However I do have an itch between two toes so use a bit of canasten regularly. I swim also.

[ChillySwimmer in reply to wilbertjellyfish]

Did you take your profile pic whilst swimming? Wherever it is, it looks amazing!

[wilbertjellyfish in reply to ChillySwimmer]

Lol...no think it's just a generic one 😂

[Nanainthegarden]

I have exactly the same problem! I use cotton buds to dry between my toes (the non plastic kind) and tea tree oil when athletes foot flares up. Also applied with a cotton bud. I like the look of the toe dryer but not sure it would fit between my toes.

[tetrapana]

I have the same problem after remodelling. I was advised by Podiatry to apply surgical spirit on a cotton bud, after drying well, it works well for me.

[Cattledog in reply to tetrapana]

Yes, surgical spirit works well for me as well.

[Runrig01 in reply to tetrapana]

I have to use orthotics on my toes, whilst I await further surgery, which Is just over a week away now. The podiatrist who made the orthotics, advised surgical spirit, for between toes, to help toughen the skin there up, and hopefully prevent athletes foot. Even using them for a year with no issues.

[ChillySwimmer in reply to tetrapana]

3 votes for surgical spirit here - thanks folks! This solution is looking promising 🙂

[treble-ringer]

agree with tetrapana re surgical spirit - used it on and off for years!

[ChillySwimmer in reply to treble-ringer]

Totally irrelevant, but I think we share a niche hobby! Thanks for the extra vote for surgical spirit.

[barbieg]

another one for the toe towel from Amazon. Absolutely fantastic. I bought mine when someone on here wrote about it.

[Ankspon]

I have needed to use anti fungal cream between my toes especially 4and 5 since being on RA meds otherwise they crack and then I’m prone to infections. I try and let air get to them in the summer!

[ChillySwimmer in reply to Ankspon]

Sounds like the same problem. Roll on the warmer weather so we can dry them naturally in the air!

[StormySeas]

Tea tree wiped between toes on a cotton bud once a week does me 😊

[Maggsie]

have you tried these ebay.co.uk/itm/132843253328

I'm using them between toes 4&5 and they do seem to help

[ChillySwimmer in reply to Maggsie]

I haven't seen those. Could be worth a try. They seem affordable enough. Thank you.

[Kariss]

I have psoriatic arthritis and my feet were the first parts that were affected. They have changed shape badly and now some of my toes overlap - one doesn’t even ever touch the ground. They get sore and split in the crease underneath if I am too rough when drying them. I tried slathering them with sudocreme to begin with but now I use aqueous cream every time after I’ve dried them. I just massage some into the creases underneath before my socks go on. This seems to work well, is soothing and is absorbed easily and isn’t at all slippery. It helps me walk better as I am no longer favouring the sore parts.

[ChillySwimmer in reply to Kariss]

I have aqueous cream at home so I'll definitely try this one. Thank you for the suggestion. Glad to hear it's working well for you.

[Kariss in reply to ChillySwimmer]

I hope it helps🤞🏻

[Maxadolf]

When I was young I suffered from chronic fungal infection between the 4th and 5th toes of my left foot. It was always described as athlete’s foot. As a food scientist I learned that free water must be available for microorganisms to thrive. I therefore placed about one third of a single toilet paper sheet (any water absorbent paper will do) suitably folded to become sandwiched between the toes affected ————- and lo, the fungal growth no longer occurred. Am still wondering whether to risk invalidating a patent on a new application for toilet paper, but just realised I can’ cos I’ve let the cat out of the bag: shame that, but good news for Chilly Swimmer!

[ChillySwimmer in reply to Maxadolf]

🤣

[SingingJay]

I use an old thin linen cloth to dry and then if I have the slightest hint of soreness I apply surgical spirit, which sorts it. It's so much better than treating it with Athletes Foot remedies, which I always used to do. Fortunately I don't often have the problem of them getting damp again (unless I wear the wrong socks) but I think the idea of using loo paper or thin pieces of cotton wool could work. I think the surgical spirit could help with this too. I used to like my feet, but the damage done by the RA over the years put a stop to that!

[ChillySwimmer in reply to SingingJay]

Sorry to hear you've stopped liking your feet. I feel sorry for mine. After a lifetime of wearing sensible shoes to try and prevent foot problems, I've ended up with them after all.

The wrong socks is an interesting concept. I started wearing some old smartwool walking socks because they are supposed to have good wicking properties. They're definitely better in that regard than my usual cotton socks (and cosier too 😃) but the fabric can't wick what it doesn't touch. What's your idea of good and bad socks?

[meelfyn]

I find a plain foot powder does the trick, nothing fancy.

[purplecyclist]

I use surgical spirit on cotton wool to dry between my toes.

When I could not stop the crumbly feet infections the podiatrist recommended Lamasil Once which you apply one time and it certainly did the job after months and months of other creams doing nothing.

I wear Injinjini toe socks now, although my toes have changed shape i find if i can get each toe in its own bit of sock they don;t get moist or infected. I have cotton ones and wool ones. It would depend on shape of toes whether this would work or not.

I also spray inside my shoes after a day on my feet so they don;t reinfect my feet. Scholl antifungal shoe spray.

I bought "Correct Toes" toe separators from the walking hub in Kington after Ali from there did an inspirational NRAS talk about walking. My toes were crowding on top of each other and these help to keep them spaced out which makes them feel better and not get moist between toes.

Like your swimming friends I have also found barefoot shoes good beacause they allow plenty space for toes not to be squished together and sweaty.

[ChillySwimmer in reply to purplecyclist]

The toe separators sound good 👍🏻