Medical experts say the wet, steamy atmosphere of shared showers makes the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. 

“When you are taking a shower and you are in the bathroom dead skin often comes off of your body and if it’s not clean it can often sit on, and rest on the bathroom floors and that’s how a lot of people in these communal bathrooms come in contact with these foot funguses. So, if you are coming in and using a communal bathroom at this point, and you have contact with your skin and there is a break in your skin, the fungus can then get in at that point,” explains podiatrist Dr. Oliver Zong.

Dr. Zong says you should wear flip-flops when showering or walking around in a communal bathroom.  Wear the right socks; keep your feet dry by wearing socks made of natural fiber like cotton. 

The damp environment created by sweaty socks can lead to fungal infections of the foot like athlete’s foot and nail fungus.

“If you are susceptible to fungus, you will develop some itching, some rashes um maybe some blistering, and this is commonly referred to as athlete’s foot.  It generally starts in the skin at first, you may see small patches in between the toes with a whole lot of itching, it can spread to the sole of the foot,” says Dr. Zong.  

When showering, be sure to scrub your feet, dry thoroughly after washing, especially between toes because dampness can encourage fungus growth.  And, give your feet a breather.  When relaxing in your dorm room, wear sandals or go barefoot. Don’t trap your feet in tight shoes.  

If you find yourself with a fungal infection, Dr. Zong recommends as a first line of treatment, an over-the- counter anti-fungal cream.  If after a week there is no improvement, contact your podiatrist.  There are stronger prescription medications, including topical ointments and oral medication that can do the trick.

You should check your feet and toenails regularly for any abnormalities and have any skin growths checked by a doctor.  Toenail fungus is characterized by thick, discolored toenails. 

Also, if you notice a flat growth on the bottom of the foot, and have some pain, it may be a planter wart.  Planter warts can usually be treated with over-the-counter wart removers.  You’ll want to look for a remover that has a high concentration of salicylic acid, a great first line defense against warts.