‘Toe jam’ is not exactly a clinical diagnosis, but is a popular term for that awful stuff that can build up between the toes and can have a foul odour.

Toe jam is that accumulation between the toes of a number of things which include the dead skin cells, lint from sock and other junk and debris that get can moistened by the lack of evaporation of the sweat between the toes. It is going to more severe in those who have footwear that do not allow the sweat to evaporate (which they may have to wear becasue of their employment); those who do not clean between their toes regularly or do not dry them thoroughly; and those who sweat a lot more. It is important to differentiate the typical toe jam from a number of conditions such as a fungal infection (athletes foot) and interdigital maceration which is an accumulate of moisture in the skin that makes it go white and soggy.

The easiest way to deal with toe jam is to regularly clean thoroughly between the toes and then dry them carefully. Surgical spirits and can be put between the toes to help dry them even more. Going barefoot often will also allow air to circulate between the toes and keep them dry.