Athlete’s foot, or tinea pedis, is a fungal infection that makes the skin between your toes itchy, inflamed, and scaly. It can also cause blistering on the bottoms of your feet. This condition is often spread by wearing tight, sweaty shoes for long periods or walking barefoot on wet, contaminated floors.
If you leave athlete’s foot untreated, it can lead to a bacterial infection. Fortunately, it’s usually easy to handle with antifungal creams, sprays, powders, or oral medications. The infection is a type of ringworm affecting the feet, and it commonly presents as itchy, red skin between the toes. The infection can manifest differently based on the type, making it sometimes tricky to identify.
The most common kind is interdigital infection, which targets the skin between the toes, often starting between the pinkie and the next toe. This makes the skin look red or scaly and may cause burning or itching. Moccasin infection affects the sole of the foot and can reach the heel and the sides, making the feet feel dry and itchy with skin that could thicken and crack over time. Vesicular infection causes blisters (or vesicles) that turn into open sores, potentially leading to bacterial infections after they burst.
Meanwhile, ulcerative infection involves open, oozing sores called ulcers between your toes, which are quite painful and increase the risk of bacterial infection. Athlete’s foot often impacts the skin between the toes but can also spread to soles, heels, and sides. Symptoms mainly include redness, itchiness, and scaling, with more severe cases leading to additional complications.
Athlete’s foot is incredibly common because it is highly contagious, affecting around 3% to 15% of the population, with a higher incidence in males and older adults. The condition is caused by dermatophyte fungi, which thrive in warm, moist environments. You typically catch it from wet, contaminated surfaces or by sharing infected clothing and towels. Public showers, pools, and gym locker rooms are hotspots for contracting the infection. Wearing sweaty shoes for long stretches also raises the infection risk.
The fungi release enzymes that break down skin proteins, making the skin irritated, cracked, and itchy. Diagnosing athlete’s foot usually involves a healthcare provider examining your skin and discussing your symptoms and could involve a skin test with potassium hydroxide to confirm.
Treatment often involves antifungal medications designed to kill the fungus and stop its growth. Over-the-counter options like creams, sprays, and powders are popular. The most common antifungal treatments are imidazoles. Severe cases affecting the heel or sole might require oral medication. Some people also try home remedies, like tea tree oil, despite limited scientific backing for their effectiveness.
Even after treating it, you may catch athlete’s foot again since the fungi thrive in warm, moist places. To prevent recurrence, avoid going barefoot in public areas, and don’t share personal items like shoes, towels, or socks. If you have athlete’s foot, these precautions prevent spreading it to others. Severe infections may lead to toenail or skin infections, especially in people with weaker immune systems.
Athlete’s foot can be very uncomfortable, but it is typically easy to treat with over-the-counter antifungals. Consult a healthcare provider if you notice persistent red, itchy, or scaly skin. They can suggest treatments or prescribe stronger options if the infection keeps coming back. Keep your environment fungus-free by staying dry and clean, particularly in places where fungi thrive, such as public locker rooms or after exercising.
