Got Toe Jam? We’ve Got Solutions! (2 of 3)

If you wear closed-toe shoes in a hot environment or the footwear is made of material that isn’t breathable, it increases the odds of getting toe jam. If you neglect your feet when bathing — gotta scrub in between those toes, guys — you are also more likely to get it.

Got hyperhidrosis? This is a serious medical condition in which you sweat excessively, and it is also a common culprit that leads to toe jam. Other factors include your life stage. For example, children and teenagers are more inclined to have sweaty feet due to highly active sweat glands.

Want a good case of athlete’s foot?

It goes without saying that bacteria thrives when it’s given a chance to live in an environment of sweat and dead skin found between the toes. It’s warm. It’s moist. It’s dark. And just plain cozy! As a result, catching tinea pedis — commonly known as athlete’s foot — comes more likely.

If you’ve got soggy, white skin between your toes that is irritated and red, you’ve got a problem that needs to be solved. If ignored, you can develop fluid-filled blisters and even bleeding. Although toe jam and athlete’s foot are not one in the same, we’re saying that failing to take care of your toe jam problem can lead to athlete’s foot or even worse.

How serious is toe jam?

We’re not going to overreact here. Toe jam itself is a minor nuisance that can easily be treated by simply practicing good foot hygiene. Athlete’s foot is also not something to freak out about. There are plenty of anti-fungal sprays, including those that are over-the-counter.

On the other hand, there are certain health factors that can make it a potential threat. For instance, people who suffer from diabetes, have limited mobility, or have poor vision that prevent them from seeing toe jam or the subsequent problems that can arise.

In the case of those with diabetes, if they don’t control it by eating a proper diet, getting exercise or using medication, it can result in reduced blood flow and numb feet.