Why do you get toe jam?

Toe jam is gross — but the gunky substance actually can shine some serious light on your health.

According to one New York City dermatologist, toe jam is a vague debris comprised of many different sources.

“‘Toe jam’ is a non-medical term that refers to the debris that builds up between toes,” Sejal Shah told Allure. “It can be composed of dead skin cells, skin oil and sweat residue, dirt, fabric fibres – from socks, for example — and even bacterial or fungal organisms.”

So when it comes to toe jam, there’s a lot going on – and according to one podiatrist, it’s almost impossible to avoid the pesky residue between your toes.

“The foot is contained in a shoe that provides an excellent environment for pathogens such as bacteria and fungus to grow because it is warm, dark and moist within the shoe environment,” Dr. Rock G. Positano told Allure. “People who are on their feet for longer periods of time, individuals who have a tendency to sweat more profusely, people who wear shoes that have poor ventilation and breathability, and people who are overweight tend to be more predisposed to developing toe jam between their toes.”

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While lifestyle certainly comes into play, there are also certain skin conditions that make you more likely to get toe jam.

“Some skin conditions, such as eczema or psoriasis, are characterized by dry, flaking skin, which can accumulate between the toes if the feet are affected,” said Shah.

For some, toe jam could actually help diagnose a more serious condition.

“In rare cases, toe jam could indicate more serious problems such as psoriasis and eczema, bacterial infection, and, rarely, infection with a tiny mite known as scabies that’s usually transmitted from person to person or by bedding, clothes, and furniture,” Positano explained.

While it’s rare that toe jam leads to a skin infection, Positano does warn those who accumulate toe jam to keep a close eye on their feet, ensuring there isn’t a break in the skin where the build up is occurring as this could cause an infection.

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When it comes to preventative measures, the best thing you can do to keep toe jam at bay is to practice good hygiene. Washing your feet daily is just one way of ensuring the area is clean and infection free.

“In addition, frequently changing your socks and wearing good fitting shoes – a tight shoe causes build up of perspiration – is the most efficient prevention,” said Positano.

For most, toe jam can be considered a nuisance, but according to Positano and Shah, it can also help save a life. Those who live with toe jam are more likely to regularly inspect their feet — a key to catching any abnormal growths in an often-neglected part of the body.

“Being aware of toe jam has an additional clinical benefit… One of the deadliest forms of cancer, malignant melanoma, quite often will appear in the foot first, mainly on the heel, but also in between the toes, which is a common hiding place for this aggressive cancer,” said Positano. “People should be more aware of the importance of foot health… The feet are the wheels of the body and are often the best indicator of systemic disease. Many vital systems of the body [like the skin, nervous, muscular, circulatory, and endocrine] are found in the foot.”

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