ConditionSkin, hair & nails
Athlete's Foot (Tinea Pedis)
Athlete's foot, or tinea pedis, is a common fungal infection of the skin of the feet. It causes itching, burning, peeling and cracked skin, usually between the fourth and fifth toes, and sometimes scaling across the sole or blisters on the arch. The fungi thrive in warm, damp shoes and spread on shower floors. Over-the-counter antifungal creams cure most cases in 1 to 4 weeks. People with diabetes or poor circulation should treat it promptly, because cracked skin can let bacteria in and cause cellulitis.
Also called: Tinea pedis, foot fungus, ringworm of the foot, foot ringworm
At a glance
- What it is
- A fungal infection of the foot skin, caused by dermatophytes.
- Symptoms
- Itching, burning, peeling or cracked skin between toes; scaly soles; blisters.
- How it spreads
- Damp floors in showers, pools and gyms; shared towels and shoes.
- Treatment
- Antifungal creams such as terbinafine or clotrimazole; tablets for stubborn cases.
- Prevention
- Keep feet dry, change socks daily, wear sandals in communal showers.
When to get help
See a doctor within a day or two
- Red, hot, swollen, painful foot or leg with spreading redness or fever (possible cellulitis)
- Open sores, pus or a bad smell from cracked skin, especially if you have diabetes or poor circulation
Book a routine appointment
- No improvement after 2 weeks of an over-the-counter antifungal used correctly
- Infection that keeps coming back
- Thick, yellow, crumbly toenails (possible nail fungus)
- A rash on the foot in someone with diabetes, a weak immune system or circulation problems
- Blisters on the hands as well as the feet
Usually safe to manage at home
- Itchy, peeling skin between the toes with no spreading redness, pain or fever
Symptoms of athlete's foot
- itching, stinging or burning between the toes or on the soles
- white, soggy, peeling skin between the toes, especially the fourth and fifth
- cracked or raw skin that may sting
- dry, scaly skin on the soles and sides of the feet
- small fluid-filled blisters, often on the arch
- an unpleasant odor
It often affects one foot more than the other. Scratching can spread it to the hands (tinea manuum) or groin (jock itch).
Types of athlete's foot
| Type | Where | What it looks like |
|---|---|---|
| Interdigital (toe web) | Between toes, often 4th and 5th | Soggy, white, peeling, cracked skin; the most common type |
| Moccasin | Soles, heels and sides, like a moccasin | Chronic dry scaling and thickening; often both feet; may be mistaken for dry skin |
| Vesicular (blistering) | Arch and instep | Itchy blisters, sometimes with a red base |
| Ulcerative | Between toes | Raw, oozing sores, often with bacterial infection; more common with diabetes |
Causes and risk factors
Athlete's foot is caused by dermatophyte fungi, mainly Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton interdigitale. These live on keratin, the protein in skin and nails. Risk factors include:
- sweaty feet and tight, closed shoes
- walking barefoot in locker rooms, showers and pool areas
- sharing towels, socks or shoes
- being male, and adult age
- diabetes, a weakened immune system and poor circulation
- a previous fungal infection, including nail fungus
Diagnosis
A doctor or pharmacist can often diagnose it by looking at the skin. If the diagnosis is unclear or treatment has failed, a skin scraping can be examined under a microscope with potassium hydroxide (KOH test) or sent for fungal culture. Conditions that can look similar include dyshidrotic eczema, contact dermatitis, psoriasis and erythrasma.
Treatment
Over-the-counter antifungals
Apply to clean, dry feet, covering the rash and about 2 cm (1 in) of normal skin around it:
- Terbinafine cream: works fastest; often needed once or twice daily for 1 to 2 weeks.
- Clotrimazole or miconazole: usually twice daily for 2 to 4 weeks.
- Tolnaftate: also effective.
Keep using the treatment for 1 to 2 weeks after the skin looks clear, or as the label directs, to stop it returning. Sprays and powders help for areas that are hard to reach and for shoes.
Prescription treatment
- Stronger topical antifungals for resistant infection.
- Oral antifungals such as terbinafine or itraconazole for moccasin-type, widespread or recurrent infection, or when nails are also infected. These need a doctor's prescription and sometimes liver tests.
- Antibiotics if a bacterial infection develops.
Home care while treating
- Wash feet daily and dry thoroughly, especially between the toes.
- Wear cotton or moisture-wicking socks and change them daily, or more often if sweaty.
- Rotate shoes so each pair dries for 24 hours, and use antifungal powder inside.
- Wash socks and towels in hot water.
Treatment for blistering athlete's foot
Soaking in a diluted aluminum acetate solution (Burow's solution) can dry weeping blisters before applying antifungal cream.
Complications
- Cellulitis: cracked skin lets bacteria in, causing a red, hot, swollen leg. See cellulitis.
- Fungal nail infection: onychomycosis is harder to treat and a source of reinfection.
- Spread to the groin, hands or other people.
- Allergic "id" reaction: an itchy rash on the hands or elsewhere in response to the fungus.
Preventing athlete's foot
- Wear flip-flops in communal showers, pools and locker rooms.
- Keep feet dry, and dry between the toes after bathing.
- Choose breathable shoes and moisture-wicking socks.
- Do not share towels, socks or shoes.
- Treat nail fungus to remove a source of reinfection.
- Put on socks before underwear if you have athlete's foot, to avoid spreading it to the groin.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fastest way to get rid of athlete's foot?
Terbinafine cream is usually the fastest over-the-counter treatment, often clearing the infection within 1 to 2 weeks. Keep feet clean and dry, change socks daily, and continue treatment as directed after symptoms go to prevent it coming back.
Does treatment for athlete's foot depend on the cause?
Yes. Typical athlete's foot is fungal and responds to antifungal creams. If there is also bacterial infection, antibiotics may be needed. If the rash is actually eczema, psoriasis or contact dermatitis, antifungals will not help, so a doctor should check rashes that do not improve.
Is athlete's foot contagious?
Yes. It spreads through direct contact and from damp surfaces such as shower floors, pool decks and shared towels or shoes. Wearing sandals in communal areas and not sharing footwear reduces the risk.
Why does my athlete's foot keep coming back?
Common reasons are stopping treatment too early, untreated toenail fungus, reinfection from shoes and socks, and persistently damp feet. Treat for the full time, disinfect shoes, treat nail infection and keep feet dry. Recurrent cases may need tablets.
Can athlete's foot spread to other parts of the body?
Yes. It can spread to the toenails, the hands if you scratch, and the groin, causing jock itch. Washing hands after touching affected skin and putting socks on before underwear help prevent spread.
Sources
This guide was written from current patient and clinical guidance, including:
- American Academy of Dermatology: Athlete's foot: diagnosis and treatment
- CDC: Ringworm (tinea) information
- MedlinePlus: Athlete's foot
- NHS: Athlete's foot
- American Podiatric Medical Association: Athlete's foot