Athlete's Foot Overview
Learn About Athlete's Foot
Athlete's foot is an infection of the feet caused by fungus. The medical term is tinea pedis or ringworm of the foot.
Tinea pedis; Fungal infection - feet; Tinea of the foot; Infection - fungal - feet; Ringworm - foot
Athlete's foot occurs when a certain fungus grows on the skin of your feet. The same fungus may also grow on other parts of the body. However, the feet are most commonly affected, especially between the toes.
Athlete's foot is the most common type of tinea infection. The fungus thrives in warm, moist areas. Your risk for getting athlete's foot increases if you:
- Wear closed shoes, especially if they are plastic-lined
- Keep your feet wet for long periods
- Sweat a lot
- Develop a minor skin or nail injury
Athlete's foot is easily spread. It can be passed through direct contact or contact with items such as shoes, stockings, and shower or pool surfaces.
The most common symptom is cracked, flaking, peeling skin between the toes or on the side of the foot. Other symptoms can include:
- Red and itchy skin
- Burning or stinging pain
- Blisters that ooze or get crusty
If the fungus spreads to your nails, they can become discolored, thick, and even crumble.
Athlete's foot may occur at the same time as other fungal or yeast skin infections such as jock itch.
Over-the-counter antifungal powders or creams can help control the infection:
- These contain medicine such as miconazole, clotrimazole, terbinafine, or tolnaftate.
- Keep using the medicine for 1 to 2 weeks after the infection has cleared to prevent it from returning.
In addition:
- Keep your feet clean and dry, especially between your toes.
- Wash your feet thoroughly with soap and water and dry the area carefully and completely. Try to do this at least twice a day.
- To widen and keep the web space (area between the toes) dry, use lamb's wool. This can be bought at a drugstore.
- Wear clean cotton socks. Change your socks and shoes as often as needed to keep your feet dry.
- Wear sandals or flip-flops at a public shower or pool.
- Use antifungal or drying powders to prevent athlete's foot if you tend to get it often, or you frequent places where athlete's foot fungus is common (like public showers).
- Wear shoes that are well-ventilated and made of natural material such as leather. It may help to alternate shoes each day, so they can completely dry between wearings. Do not wear plastic-lined shoes.
If athlete's foot does not get better in 2 to 4 weeks with self-care, or frequently returns, see your provider. Your provider may prescribe:
- Antifungal medicines to take by mouth
- Antibiotics to treat bacterial infections that occur from scratching
- Topical creams that kill the fungus
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Howard Kashefsky is a Podiatric Medicine provider in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Dr. Kashefsky and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Athlete's Foot. His top areas of expertise are Hammer Toe, Ingrown Toenail, Bunions, and Gangrene. Dr. Kashefsky is currently accepting new patients.
Duke Dermatology South Durham
Amber Fresco is a Dermatologist in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Fresco has been practicing medicine for over 16 years and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Athlete's Foot. Her top areas of expertise are Neurocutaneous Melanosis, Giant Congenital Nevus, Familial Atypical Multiple Mole Melanoma Syndrome, and Giant Congenital Melanocytic Nevus. Dr. Fresco is currently accepting new patients.
Duke Health Integrated Practice Inc
Kenyon Railey is a Family Medicine provider in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Railey and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Athlete's Foot. His top areas of expertise are Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young, Type 2 Diabetes (T2D), Hypertension, and Glucocorticoid-Remediable Aldosteronism. Dr. Railey is currently accepting new patients.
Athlete's foot almost always responds well to self-care, although it may come back. Long-term medicine and preventive measures may be needed. The infection can spread to the toenails.
Call your provider right away if:
- Your foot is swollen and warm to the touch, especially if there are red streaks or pain. These are signs of a possible bacterial infection. Other signs include pus, drainage, and fever.
- Athlete's foot symptoms do not go away within 2 to 4 weeks of self-care treatments.
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Published Date: May 31, 2023
Published By: Ramin Fathi, MD, FAAD, Director, Phoenix Surgical Dermatology Group, Phoenix, AZ. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Elewski BE, Hughey LC, Hunt KM, Hay RJ. Fungal diseases. In: Bolognia JL, Schaffer JV, Cerroni L, eds. Dermatology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 77.
Hay RJ. Dermatophytosis (ringworm) and other superficial mycoses. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 266.