[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/10\/how-to-prevent-toe-jam\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/10\/how-to-prevent-toe-jam\/","headline":"What Is Toe Jam?","name":"What Is Toe Jam?","description":"Cleaning your feet may seem like a no-brainer, but are you really doing a thorough job? Learn about toe jam and find ways to prevent it.","datePublished":"2015-10-20","dateModified":"2022-03-29","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/urgent-care","name":"Urgent Care","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/urgent-care","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/urgent-care\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/how-to-prevent-toe-jam.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/how-to-prevent-toe-jam.jpg","height":325,"width":754},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/10\/how-to-prevent-toe-jam\/","about":["Family Health","Living and Wellness"],"wordCount":572,"keywords":["athlete's foot","corns","dry skin","eczema","feet","foot","infection prevention","psoriasis","toe jam","toes"],"articleBody":"Cleaning your feet may seem like a no-brainer, but are you really doing a good job?Toe jam, that gunk that builds up between your toes, can result if you’re not properly cleaning your feet and toes. Like\u00a0ear wax,\u00a0mucus, and many other bodily residues, toe jam has an ick factor that most of us would rather not think about. But the issue can have several different causes \u2014 some of them more serious than others \u2014 so it pays to give your feet special attention.What Is Toe Jam?So-called toe jam isn’t just one substance. In fact, it can have multiple sources, from the benign to the worrisome. Toe jam is a nonmedical, umbrella term that refers to the smelly gunk which can accumulate between the toes. When feet are often sweaty or not washed frequently, toe jam may be more likely to result. Luckily, the condition is usually not serious and responds well to simple lifestyle changes.What is toe jam made of?Lint from your socks.\u00a0A common and harmless cause of toe jam is simply sock lint\u2014fuzzy bits of material that rub off between your toes. Wash new socks inside-out before wearing them to cut back on loose lint.Dry skin.\u00a0Eczema,\u00a0psoriasis, and other skin conditions can result in flakes of dry skin that can combine with sweat, resulting in gunk between your toes. Treating a\u00a0skin condition\u00a0may help reduce toe jam.Foot problems.\u00a0Corns \u2014 thickened layers of skin due to pressure \u2014 can form between toes. When corns become softened through contact with sweat or other moisture sources, they may contribute to toe jam.Athlete’s foot.\u00a0Fungal infections, such as those caused by athlete’s foot, thrive in warm, moist environments like shoes and are a common source of toe gunk. Wearing clean socks, keeping feet clean and dry, and using antifungal products can help treat athlete’s foot and, in turn, toe jam.Scabies.\u00a0This highly contagious infection occurs when tiny mites burrow into the skin, including between the toes. In rare instances, it can cause toe jam. If you have scabies, your physician can prescribe an effective treatment to eliminate it.What Causes Toe Jam?While toe jam is typically only a buildup of dry skin with a smell between toes, there are some conditions that can cause more toe jam. They include:Skin conditions \u2014Eczema or psoriasis may cause more toe jam.Chemotherapy \u2014\u00a0Chemotherapy can weaken the immune system and create an environment for fungal infections to take root.Diabetic neuropathy \u2014\u00a0Diabetes has numerous effects on the skin of the feet, including swelling and ulcers that can become infected and increase toe jam.How to Get Rid of Toe JamWashing your feet and drying them completely is the best way to get rid of toe jam \u2014 optimally twice per day.How to Prevent Toe JamYou can cut back on toe jam by addressing the sources mentioned above. In addition, good foot hygiene can go a long way to preventing the problem. Here are some tips:Change your socks after they get sweaty or wet.Wear open-toed shoes.Sprinkle talcum powder or cornstarch between toes to help keep them dry and prevent infection.Keep corns and calluses smooth by using a pumice stone.See your physician\u00a0if you think you have an infection.Editor's Note: This article was originally published on October 20, 2015, and was last reviewed on March 29, 2022."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2015","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"10","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/\/10\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"What Is Toe Jam?","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/10\/how-to-prevent-toe-jam\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]