Athlete's foot
Tinea pedis; Fungal infection - feet; Tinea of the foot; Infection - fungal - feet; Ringworm - footAthlete's foot is an infection of the feet caused by fungus. The medical term is tinea pedis or ringworm of the foot.
Causes
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:
Tinea
Ringworm is a skin infection due to a fungus. Often, there are several patches of ringworm on the skin at once. The medical name for ringworm is ti...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article- 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.
Symptoms
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.
Jock itch
Jock itch is an infection of the groin area caused by a fungus. The medical term is tinea cruris or ringworm of the groin.
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleExams and Tests
Your health care provider can diagnose athlete's foot simply by looking at your skin. If tests are needed, they may include:
- A simple office test called a KOH exam to check for fungus
KOH exam
The skin lesion KOH exam is a test to diagnose a fungal infection of the skin.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Skin culture
Skin culture
A skin or nail culture is a laboratory test to look for and identify germs that cause problems with the skin or nails. It is called a mucosal culture...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - A skin biopsy may also be performed with a special stain called PAS to identify fungus
Skin biopsy
A skin lesion biopsy is when a small amount of skin is removed so it can be examined under a microscope. The skin is tested to look for skin conditi...
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Treatment
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
Outlook (Prognosis)
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.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
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.
References
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.
Athlete's foot - tinea pedis - illustration
This is a picture of Athlete's foot (tinea pedis). Tinea infection is caused by a fungus that grows on the skin, and is also referred to as ringworm. Cutaneous (skin) tinea infections are often named by their location such as pedis, meaning foot.
Athlete's foot - tinea pedis
illustration
Athlete's foot - tinea pedis - illustration
This is a picture of Athlete's foot (tinea pedis). Tinea infection is caused by a fungus that grows on the skin, and is also referred to as ringworm. Cutaneous (skin) tinea infections are often named by their location such as pedis, meaning foot.
Athlete's foot - tinea pedis
illustration
Review Date: 5/31/2023
Reviewed 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.