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What Is Athlete's Foot?


Athlete's foot, medically known as tinea pedis, is a fungal infection of the skin caused by a group of fungi called dermatophytes. These fungi thrive in warm, moist environments, making feet—particularly inside shoes and socks—an ideal place for them to grow (Aly, 1994).


It is one of the most common fungal infections worldwide and can affect people of all ages. If left untreated, the infection may spread to other areas of the foot, the toenails or other people through direct or indirect contact (Field and Adams, 2008).

What causes athlete's foot?


Athlete's foot develops when dermatophyte fungi come into contact with the skin and begin to multiply. Warm, damp conditions encourage fungal growth, particularly inside trainers, work boots and other enclosed footwear (Aly, 1994).


Common risk factors include:

  • Sweaty feet

  • Wearing enclosed footwear for long periods

  • Shared changing rooms

  • Swimming pools

  • Gym showers

  • Damp socks


Having contact with fungal spores doesn't always mean you'll develop athlete's foot.


Healthy skin provides a natural protective barrier, but damaged skin, excess moisture and certain medical conditions can increase the likelihood of infection (Richardson and Warnock, 2012).

What are the symptoms?


Symptoms vary depending on the type of athlete's foot but commonly include:

  • Itching between the toes

  • Redness

  • Peeling or flaky skin

  • Dry, cracked skin

  • Burning or stinging

  • White, soggy skin between the toes

  • Unpleasant foot odour


In more severe cases, painful fissures, blisters and secondary bacterial infection may occur if the skin barrier becomes damaged (Aly, 1994).

Is athlete's foot contagious?


Yes. Athlete's foot spreads through direct contact with infected skin or indirectly via contaminated surfaces such as towels, socks, shoes, shower floors and swimming pool surrounds (Field and Adams, 2008).


Fungal spores can survive on these surfaces, making it easy for the infection to spread if appropriate hygiene measures are not followed.


Can I treat athlete's foot at home?


Most uncomplicated cases respond well to topical antifungal treatments. A Cochrane systematic review found that antifungal creams are significantly more effective than placebo, with terbinafine (an allylamine) achieving slightly higher cure rates than azole antifungals in many studies (Crawford and Hollis, 2007).


To improve treatment success:

  • Wash your feet daily.

  • Dry thoroughly, especially between the toes.

  • Change socks every day.

  • Wear breathable footwear.

  • Allow shoes to dry fully before wearing them again.

  • Complete the full course of treatment, even if symptoms improve.

When should you seek professional advice?


While many mild cases of athlete's foot can be treated successfully at home, not every rash or itchy foot is caused by a fungal infection.


Conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and contact dermatitis can look very similar but require different treatments. If you're unsure of the cause, if your symptoms keep returning, or if over-the-counter treatments haven't worked, it's important to seek a professional assessment (Hay et al., 2014).


At Brandon Podiatry, we can accurately diagnose the cause of your symptoms, advise on the most appropriate treatment options and provide personalised advice to help prevent the infection from returning.


If your toenails are also affected, we can discuss suitable management options and, where appropriate, arrange further investigations or recommend the most effective treatment plan for you.

Brandon Podiatry Tip The best treatment starts with the right diagnosis. Many skin conditions affecting the feet look alike, so identifying the underlying cause is essential to ensure you receive the most effective treatment and avoid unnecessary or ineffective products.

Why shouldn't athlete's foot be ignored?


Although athlete's foot is often mild, untreated infection can spread to the toenails, become recurrent and lead to painful skin fissures. In people with diabetes, poor circulation or a weakened immune system, breaks in the skin can increase the risk of secondary bacterial infection and delayed healing (NICE, 2023).

What does the evidence say about athlete's foot?


High-quality evidence shows that topical antifungal medications are effective for treating most cases of athlete's foot, with allylamines such as terbinafine demonstrating slightly higher cure rates than azoles in systematic reviews (Crawford and Hollis, 2007).


Good foot hygiene, keeping the feet dry and reducing prolonged exposure to warm, moist environments also play an important role in preventing recurrence (Field and Adams, 2008).

References

Aly, R. (1994) 'Ecology and epidemiology of dermatophyte infections', Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 31(3), pp. S21–S25. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0190-9622(08)81262-5

British Association of Dermatologists (2014) Guidelines for the management of fungal skin infections. London: British Association of Dermatologists.

Crawford, F. and Hollis, S. (2007) 'Topical treatments for fungal infections of the skin and nails of the foot', Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (3), CD001434. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD001434.pub2

Hay, R.J., Ashbee, H.R. and the Fungal Infections Guideline Development Group (2014) 'Fungal infections of the skin', British Journal of Dermatology, 171(5), pp. 937–958.

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2023) Fungal skin infection – body and groin. Clinical Knowledge Summaries. Available at: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/fungal-skin-infection-body-groin/ (Accessed: 24 July 2026).

Richardson, M.D. and Warnock, D.W. (2012) Fungal Infection: Diagnosis and Management. 4th edn. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.

Verma, S. and Heffernan, M.P. (2008) 'Superficial fungal infections: Dermatophytosis, onychomycosis, tinea nigra and piedra', Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 58(5), pp. 911–926.

World Health Organization (2022) WHO fungal priority pathogens list to guide research, development and public health action. Geneva: World Health Organization. Available at: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240060241 (Accessed: 24 July 2026).



 
 
 

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