Athlete’s foot

Athlete’s foot is a common fungal infection that is highly contagious. Common symptoms include itching, burning, flaky skin and skin fissures. Many people get athlete’s foot between their toes, for example between the big toe and the adjacent toe. Here are tips on what you can do to get rid of athlete’s foot symptoms.

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What is athlete’s foot?

Athlete’s foot is an infection of the skin between the toes, under or on top of the foot, where fungi have penetrated the top layer of skin and caused an infection. Most often it is a group of fungi called dermatophytes that are responsible. The fungus thrives best in warm, moist, enclosed environments. It’s common to develop athlete’s foot if you exercise a lot, which is why it’s called athlete’s foot in English, a direct translation of the Swedish term fotsvamp. Another name for athlete’s foot is tinea pedis. 

Athlete’s foot can also spread to the toenails and cause toenail fungus.

What happens to the skin when you have athlete’s foot?

The fungal infection causes the skin to produce more cells than usual. This in turn makes the skin thicker and it begins to flake. The fungus itself also weakens the skin’s barrier function, leaving the skin more vulnerable to further irritation and infection.

Causes of athlete’s foot

Athlete’s foot spreads between people, and it’s common to catch it by walking barefoot in public changing rooms and swimming pools. You can also catch it by borrowing shoes, socks or towels from someone who has athlete’s foot. 

Different factors affect your risk of developing athlete’s foot, for example

• sex: more men than women develop athlete’s foot
• age: children under 10 years old are rarely infected.

Because fungi thrive in warm, moist environments, your risk of developing athlete’s foot also increases if you

• sweat heavily on your feet
• wear tight, closed-toe shoes.

It’s also common to develop athlete’s foot if you exercise a lot. This is partly because you sweat more, and partly because your feet experience increased mechanical friction, which makes the skin more vulnerable to infection.

Athlete’s foot symptoms

Athlete’s foot often develops between the toes, most commonly between the big toe and the adjacent toe. You can also develop fungal infections on and under your feet.

It’s common to experience one or more symptoms, such as

• flaky and peeling skin
• itching on the toes, between the toes, and sometimes on the feet
• a stinging, burning sensation
• soggy, softened skin
• skin fissures
• dry skin under and on the sides of the foot
• calluses
• irregularities and superficial sores between the toes
• blisters between the toes
• redness
• unpleasant odor.

A red border between the infected skin and surrounding healthy skin is often visible. The type of fungus that causes athlete’s foot can also cause a rash on the lower legs or in the groin area.

Athlete’s foot Home treatment

If you have developed athlete’s foot, it’s important to kill all fungal spores that have collected in your socks and shoes. You can do this by washing socks, towels and bed linens — textiles that have come into contact with your feet — at 60 degrees. If not all items can be washed at 60 degrees, you can purchase special laundry detergent that kills fungi at lower temperatures.

You can also make it harder for the fungus to continue growing by following the tips below:

• Wash your entire feet and between your toes every day, then dry thoroughly afterward. A foot soak is an easy way to thoroughly clean hard-to-reach areas. There are special antifungal foot soaks that help relieve symptoms.
• Avoid closed-toe shoes and tight synthetic socks, and air out your feet whenever possible to keep them dry.
• Change your socks every day and after every workout or time you have sweated, because damp socks make it easier for fungi to grow.
• Combat foot sweat and moisture by using powder in your socks and shoes, or use foot spray or another antiperspirant on your feet to reduce sweating.
• Spray inside your shoes regularly with an antifungal shoe spray.
• Wash your socks properly, meaning at a minimum of 60 degrees, or use specially formulated antifungal laundry detergent.

Athlete’s foot treatment

You can treat athlete’s foot with a variety of antifungal medications and clinical skincare products. These can be purchased at pharmacies in consultation with pharmacy staff, and you can perform the treatment yourself at home:

• Antifungal cream comes in several different formulations, with treatment durations ranging from a single application to daily use for several weeks. It’s always important to apply the cream several centimeters around the affected area, as there are often fungal spores present that you can’t see with the naked eye. Cream is preferred over gel or spray if the skin is dry.
• Antifungal gel or spray also comes in various formulations with varying treatment times. Just like when using cream, it’s important to apply the product to the area surrounding where the fungus is visible to kill all spores. Gel and foot spray are good options if the skin is damp, as these products help dry out the skin. Spray is not suitable if you have skin fissures, as it can cause stinging.
• Antifungal medicinal foot soak is a treatment option that makes it easy to reach the entire foot and all areas between the toes. A medicinal foot soak cleanses the skin and has an exfoliating effect, meaning dead skin is removed and the remaining skin becomes softer. This makes it harder for the fungus to grow.  
• Antifungal powder can be used in socks and to kill athlete’s foot fungus in shoes, and can be a great complement to other treatments, especially if you struggle with foot sweat.

It’s a good idea to use antifungal products containing hydrocortisone if there is stinging, as this relieves itching. If your athlete’s foot does not go away with over-the-counter antifungal products and at-home foot care, you should contact a healthcare provider. You may need to be examined to confirm that you have a fungal infection, and you may need a prescription-strength treatment.

Preventing athlete’s foot 

Athlete’s foot spreads easily and thrives in warm, moist environments. That’s why it’s important to keep your feet clean, dry and cool to make it harder for fungi to grow. To prevent athlete’s foot, it’s a good idea to follow all the tips listed under the Athlete’s foot home treatment heading. By regularly changing your socks and washing them properly to kill any fungal spores, you reduce the risk of them taking hold in your skin. Combatting foot sweat and ensuring your feet are aired out helps create an unfavorable environment for fungi. Antifungal powder or foot spray inside your shoes can also be used for preventive purposes.

The skin is the body’s largest organ and its first line of defense against infections. It’s important to take care of your skin so it stays healthy and can perform its job. You can do this by washing your feet every day. Cleansing the skin is important for this type of symptom and for long-term foot health. So be sure to thoroughly clean your entire foot, including 

• under your feet
• between your toes
• under your toenails.

After cleansing, be sure to dry thoroughly all over to avoid leaving behind moisture that allows fungi to thrive. A great way to clean your feet and ensure you reach every area is to use a foot soak.

Also be sure to always use a towel at public locations such as changing rooms and swimming pools. The moist environment combined with many people in these spaces makes the risk of contracting athlete’s foot high. 

Is athlete’s foot contagious?