Athlete's foot

Athlete's foot is a common fungal infection that is highly contagious. Common symptoms include itching, burning, flaking skin, and cracked skin. 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 infected it. Most often, it is caused by a group of fungi called dermatophytes. Fungi thrive best in warm, moist, enclosed environments. It is common to get athlete's foot if you exercise a lot, which is why athlete's foot is called athlete's foot in English, which directly translates to 'sports foot'. 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 normal, which in turn makes the skin thicker and it begins to flake. The fungi themselves also weaken the skin's barrier function, making the skin more susceptible to further attacks.

Causes of athlete's foot

Athlete's foot spreads between people, and it is common to catch it by walking barefoot in public changing rooms and swimming pools. You can also catch it if you borrow shoes, socks, or a towel from someone who has athlete's foot. 

Various factors affect the risk of being affected, for example

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

Because fungi thrive in warm, moist environments, the risk of being affected also increases if

• you sweat a lot on your feet
• you wear tight, closed-in shoes.

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

Athlete's foot symptoms

Athlete's foot often grows between the toes, most commonly between the big toe and the adjacent toe. You can also get fungus on and under your feet.

It is common to experience one or more symptoms, such as

• flaking and peeling skin
• itching on the toes, between the toes, and sometimes on the feet
• a stinging, burning sensation
• soft, macerated skin
• cracked skin
• dry skin under and on the sides of the foot
• calluses
• irregularities and superficial sores between the toes
• blisters between the toes
• redness
• bad odor.

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

Athlete's foot home treatment

If you have been affected by athlete's foot, it is 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 come into contact with your feet – at 60 degrees. If not everything can be washed at 60 degrees, you can buy special laundry detergent that kills fungi at lower temperatures.

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

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

Athlete's foot treatment

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

• Antifungal cream is available in several different variants, where the treatment duration can range from a single application to daily use for several weeks. It is always important to apply the cream to several centimeters of skin around the affected area, as there are often fungal spores there that you cannot see with the naked eye. Cream is preferred over gel or spray if the skin is dry.
• Antifungal gel or spray is also available in different variants with varying treatment durations. Just like when using cream, it is important to apply the product to the area around where the fungus is visible to kill all spores. Gel and foot spray are good options if the skin is moist, as these products help dry out the skin. Spray is not suitable if you have cracked skin, as it can sting.
• Medical antifungal foot soak is a treatment option that makes it easy to reach the entire foot and all areas between the toes. A medical foot soak cleanses the skin and has an exfoliating effect, which means dead skin is removed and the remaining skin becomes softer. This makes it harder for fungi to grow.  
• Antifungal powder can be used in socks and to kill athlete's foot fungus in shoes, and can be a good complement to other treatments, especially if you have issues with foot sweat.

It is a good idea to use antifungal products containing hydrocortisone if there is stinging, as it relieves itching. If you have athlete's foot that does not go away with over-the-counter antifungal products and foot care, you should contact a healthcare provider. You may need to be examined to determine if 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 is why it is important to keep your feet clean, dry, and cool to make it harder for fungi to grow. To prevent athlete's foot, it is a good idea to follow all the tips listed under the home treatment section. 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 in your shoes can also be used for prevention.

The skin is the body's largest organ and its first line of defense against infections. It is important to take care of your skin so that it stays healthy and can do 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. Therefore, make sure you thoroughly clean your entire foot, including 

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

After cleansing, you should dry thoroughly everywhere to avoid leaving behind moisture that allows fungi to thrive. A good way to clean your feet and ensure you reach all areas is to use a foot soak.

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

Is athlete's foot contagious?