Athlete’s foot – how to treat it

Cracked, painful and itchy skin on your feet may mean you have athlete’s foot. Discover the causes and the best way to get rid of it.

What are the symptoms?

What causes it?

Pharmacy treatment for athlete’s foot

Self-care tips

When to see a doctor

How is it diagnosed?

Doctor-prescribed treatment for athlete's foot

Can you prevent athlete’s foot?

Athlete’s foot is a common condition that happens when organisms called fungi grow on your feet, causing an infection and symptoms such as cracked, painful, and itchy skin. The infection can spread easily, but treatments from a pharmacy can usually help you get rid of it. 

Athlete’s foot is a common fungal infection that happens on the skin of your feet. 

Also known as ‘tinea pedis’, it can affect different parts of your feet. Types include:

- __toe web infection__ – the most common type, this causes cracked, scaly, and peeling skin between your toes, usually the 4th (ring toe) and 5th (pinkie or little toe) toes 
- __moccasin-type infection__ – this affects the heel and/or bottom of your foot,  causing thickened, sore, and cracked skin
- __vesicular infection__ – this causes fluid-filled blisters, usually on the bottom of your foot.

Athlete’s foot can also spread easily, not just from person to person but you can also spread it elsewhere on your body, such as to your toenails or your groin.

But it can usually be treated without seeing a doctor – so read on for what you need to know.

## What are the symptoms?

The symptoms of athlete’s foot vary depending on the location and type of infection. 

Common symptoms include:

- cracked, dry, scaly, or peeling skin – between your toes or on the sole/heel of your foot
- inflamed skin – this may look red, purple or gray, depending on your skin color
- itchy skin
- sore skin
- white, ‘soggy’ skin between your toes
- small blisters
- a burning or stinging feeling
- a stale, musty smell.

You can get athlete’s foot on 1 or both feet. 

Get help with this

## What causes it?

Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection. It’s most commonly caused by fungus called trichophyton. 

Trichophyton belongs to a group of fungi called dermatophytes, which live on the dead tissues of your skin, hair, and nails. 

Fungi like warm, moist conditions, which help them to grow. So if your feet get hot and wet, this can create the right conditions for a fungal infection.

Athlete’s foot is passed easily from person to person, through skin-to-skin contact, or contact with a flake of skin from someone who has it (for example, you can pick it up from a changing room floor).

It can also spread elsewhere on your body, such as to your toenails or groin, which can happen, for example, if you scratch or pick your foot and then touch other body parts.

### Who can be affected?

Athlete’s foot is very common – studies suggest that up to a quarter of people have it at any given time. 

While anyone can get athlete’s foot, you’re more at risk if you:

- often get sweaty feet
- wear enclosed, tight shoes for long periods
- go barefoot in public spaces such as swimming pools, saunas, and communal baths and showers
- share towels or footwear with someone who has a fungal infection
- are male
- are over the age of 60
- have a weakened immune system
- have an injury on a toenail or the skin of your foot 
- have [diabetes](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/diabetes).


## Pharmacy treatment for athlete’s foot

Athlete’s foot won’t usually clear up by itself. But it can be treated with over-the-counter products from a pharmacy.

Your pharmacist can recommend an antifungal medication that’s right for you (some aren’t suitable for certain people, such as children and pregnant women). 

The medication may be a lotion, powder, cream, or spray. You should wash your hands thoroughly with warm, soapy water after applying it to your athlete’s foot. 

You’ll need to use the product for a few weeks, including after your symptoms have gone, to make sure the infection doesn’t come back.

## Self-care tips

As well as using antifungal medication, other things you can try to help get rid of athlete’s foot and stop it from spreading include: 

- avoiding scratching the affected skin
- wearing clean socks every day 
- avoiding touching your feet – or washing your hands afterward, if you do
- not walking around with bare feet in public spaces
- using a separate towel to dry your feet
- drying your feet well after washing them, including between your toes
- not using moisturizer on the affected areas – as this can help fungi grow.

## When to see a doctor

You should see a doctor if you have athlete’s foot and:

- pharmacy treatments haven’t helped
- your foot or leg is hot, painful, and red (harder to see on black or brown skin), or you notice, swelling or pus – these may be signs of a more serious infection
- you’re in a lot of pain
- it has spread to other parts of your body – such as your hands
- you have a weakened immune system (for example you’re having chemotherapy)
- you have diabetes – as foot problems can be more serious.


## How is it diagnosed?

Your doctor can usually diagnose athlete’s foot by examining your feet and asking about your symptoms. 

However, some athlete’s foot symptoms can be similar to those of other skin conditions. If they aren’t sure, your doctor may scrape off a small piece of your skin so it can be checked for fungus at a laboratory. 


## Doctor-prescribed treatment for athlete's foot

If pharmacy products haven’t worked for you, your doctor may prescribe:

- a stronger antifungal cream
- a steroid cream to apply as well
- antifungal tablets – which may need to be taken for several weeks.

If needed, you may be referred to a skin specialist (dermatologist) for more tests and treatment.

## Can you prevent athlete’s foot?

To reduce your risk of getting athlete’s foot, you can:

- wear shoes or flip-flops in public areas, such as swimming pools
- alternate the shoes you wear – to give them time to dry out between uses
- wear open-toed, roomy, or ‘breathable’ shoes (avoid synthetic fabric shoes made of plastic and rubber) as much as possible
- wear socks made of breathable fabric (cotton is best), and change them every day
- regularly clean the inside of your shoes with disinfectant wipes
- avoid sharing socks, shoes, towels, or bedlinen with other people
- wash your feet daily with soap and water 
- dry your feet well – including between the toes – after getting them wet.

error

 There was an error when submitting your feedback – have a screen break then try again in a few minutes.

Oh no, something’s gone wrong

ANY COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS?

initial

This isn’t helpful

This isn’t relevant

Something is wrong

This isn’t accurate

Please select one.

loading

success

We're listening – we use your feedback to improve your experience, and make our content more helpful.

Thank you for your feedback

References

Chantelle Pattemore

Susie Parker

Dr Emily Blount

Article information

All of Healthily's articles undergo medical safety checks to verify that the information is medically safe. View more details in our <a href="/safety" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">safety page</a>, or read our <a href="/legal/editorial-policy-principles" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">editorial policy</a>.