Do you notice itching, flaking, or blisters on your feet? You may be dealing with the most common fungal disease in humans- athlete’s foot, also known as tinea pedis. Here we’ll go through some of the most common questions people have for dermatology providers regarding this condition and discuss what the next steps should be if you suspect you have it. 

Tinea pedis is caused by a group of fungi called dermatophytes. These fungi love warm, moist environments- like the inside of a sweaty shoe! This is the same type of fungus family that causes ringworm. Tinea infections can also affect toenails, especially in people that get athlete’s foot, and can actually cause athlete’s foot to come back over and over if left untreated.

This fungal skin infection is contagious and can be easily spread by direct contact with another person or animal (primarily dogs or cats), or shared contaminated objects and surfaces that are prone to being damp (think of locker room floors, shower stalls, areas around swimming pools, and unwashed towels or clothing). A fungal skin infection on one area of the body can also spread to other areas of the body, though usually athlete’s foot is the first rash to show up, and then spreads to other areas via scratching or clothing transfer.

Athlete’s foot can present a variety of ways. It can affect one or both feet. It can simply look like flaky, dry skin or can be incredibly itchy or burning. You may or may not notice blisters, pus bumps, skin cracks, or open sores. The most common locations on the foot include:

• Web spaces between the toes -There may be soggy, scaly, and/or broken open skin when you look between the toes.
• Soles of the feet – You may notice color changes, scaling, and flaking along the bottoms of one foot or both feet.
• Tops of the feet- You may see one or several scaly flaking patches that look like raised rings. The border of the affected area is often pink or red, or in darker skin tones it can be a deep red, purple, gray, or dark brown. The rash can sometimes cause hyperpigmentation.

While this fungal infection can affect anyone of any age, it is more common in males than females, and is most common in the teen and adult population. Here are some other factors that can put you at higher risk for getting athlete’s foot:

• Profusely sweating
• Using public shared paces (community pools, showers, locker rooms)
• Using footwear that is tight and non-breathable
• Having diabetes or other conditions that can weaken the immune system
• Being on medications that suppress the immune system
• Warm, humid climate

Some simple steps in skin care for the foot can go a long way to prevent this common fungal skin infection:

• Select footwear that will help keep your feet dry. Dry skin is a poor environment for fungal growth. Wear cotton socks that wick away moisture, and select breathable shoes or sandals to prevent excessively sweaty conditions. Avoid shoes made with synthetic materials like vinyl or rubber.
• Apply an over-the-counter antifungal powder spray directly on your feet and inside your shoes before and after use to fight a fungus-friendly environment.
• Always wear shower shoes or flip flops when using a public pool, shower stall, or locker room to avoid picking up fungus.
• Dry feet thoroughly after swimming, bathing, or showering.
• Do not share used towels, clothing, sports equipment, or footwear with others.
• Change socks and underwear at least once daily. Try to avoid wearing the same footwear all the time. These measures can help prevent excess moisture in the clothing and footwear material.

There are several over-the-counter antifungal powder sprays and creams that help cure athlete’s foot. Look for products that contain one of the following ingredients:

• Terbinafine
• Clotrimazole
• Miconazole

Apply your over-the-counter topical antifungal to both feet 1-2 times daily for 4-6 weeks. If the rash has not resolved by that point, it’s time to see a dermatology provider for further evaluation, as you may need additional testing and/or a different prescription-strength medication to treat your rash.

During treatment, also use the prevention measures listed above to create conditions where fungus can’t live or grow. Also, try to avoid putting topical products that have steroids in them (like hydrocortisone) on affected areas of the feet, as steroids can worsen fungal infections.

• When you’ve tried treating your athlete’s foot and it’s not getting better with your skin care or is getting worse
• When you are not sure if you have athlete’s foot or a different kind of rash
• If you suspect you may have fungal rash on multiple areas of the body- not just the feet- or if you think you have toenail fungus along with athlete’s foot (depending on how much of the body is affected and where, you may get better results with a prescription antifungal medication by mouth)
• If you have associated blisters, pus bumps, or painful sores
• If you have associated pain, bleeding, spreading redness, or concerns for a more extensive infection or skin condition
• If you are unsure what to use or do for skin care

If you’re having trouble managing your athlete’s foot issues, book an appointment with one of our dermatology providers to help come up with the right treatment plan for you!