Have you heard this term? What does it mean? Why would someone blog about it? Well, specifically in a podiatric medical practice, I get questions related to this all the time. Basically, a member of the family is diagnosed with some form of fungus (it may be Athlete’s foot or fungal toenails) and they are concerned about it spreading to other members of the family. 
So, can it spread to other members of the family? I get this question all of the time and the answer is yes. This is very disconcerting to many members of a family, considering that showers and bathroom areas are ‘barefoot areas.’ So, what can we do to prevent the spreading of “fungus amongus?” Here are a few tips:
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Clean bathroom areas with a product containing bleach, especially the shower and tub where fungus can linger due to the moist environment.
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Do not share shoes with individuals who have fungus, this goes for friends or family.
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Change socks daily.
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Consider all shoes of the affected individual ‘infected,’ therefore use a boot/shoe dryer after wearing to reduce fungal nails growth.
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Affected individuals may also use a shoe sterilizer (which uses UV light) or a fungicidal (kills fungus) sanitizing deodorant spray such as Mycomist (available at our clinic).
I hope these tips are helpful to those of you who may have this problem. I see many patients who are embarrassed about this condition, but fortunately fungal infections can be treated quite effectively through a variety of means. If you have had this problem for years and are tired of it, please give us a call so we can eliminate this condition once and for all.