05/11/2026
Athlete’s Foot: What It Is, How You Get It, and How to Treat It
Athlete’s foot is one of the most common skin infections we see in podiatry offices. Despite the name, you do not have to be an athlete to get it. This fungal infection can affect anyone, especially people who wear enclosed shoes for long periods, sweat heavily, or walk barefoot in public areas.
What Is Athlete’s Foot?
Athlete’s foot, medically known as tinea pedis, is a fungal infection of the skin on the feet. It is caused by dermatophyte fungi, which thrive in warm, moist environments.
The infection commonly develops:
Between the toes
On the soles of the feet
Along the sides of the feet
Occasionally on the toenails
How Do People Get Athlete’s Foot?
The fungus spreads easily through direct contact or contaminated surfaces. Common sources include:
Locker rooms
Public showers
Pool decks
Shared footwear
Sweaty socks and shoes
Risk factors include:
Excessive sweating
Wearing tight or non-breathable shoes
Walking barefoot in public places
Diabetes or weakened immune systems
Poor foot hygiene
What Does Athlete’s Foot Look Like?
Symptoms can vary depending on the type of infection, but common signs include:
Itching or burning between the toes
Red, peeling, or flaky skin
Dry, scaly skin on the soles
Cracking or fissures
Blisters
White, soggy skin between the toes
Odor
Some cases may resemble eczema or dry skin, which is why professional evaluation is important if symptoms persist.
How Do You Treat Athlete’s Foot?
Successful treatment requires BOTH medication and proper foot hygiene. If the environment that allowed the fungus to grow is not corrected, the infection often returns.
Proper Foot Hygiene Recommendations
Good hygiene is the foundation of treatment and prevention:
Daily Foot Care Tips
✔ Wash feet daily with soap and water
✔ Dry thoroughly, especially between the toes
✔ Change socks daily (more often if feet sweat heavily)
✔ Wear moisture-wicking socks
✔ Rotate shoes to allow them to dry completely
✔ Avoid walking barefoot in public areas
✔ Use antifungal powders or sprays if prone to sweating
Shoe Care Is Essential
Shoes often harbor fungal spores and can reinfect the skin repeatedly.
Shoe Care Recommendations:
Rotate footwear and avoid wearing the same pair every day
Allow shoes to air out for 24 hours between uses
Use antifungal sprays or powders inside shoes:
PERFORMANCE FOOTCARE sells Clean Sweep Spray in the office for tinea pedis AND fungal nail infection patients.
Replace old, heavily contaminated athletic shoes
Wash insoles when possible
Choose breathable shoes made with mesh or natural materials
Topical Antifungal Medications
Most mild-to-moderate athlete’s foot infections respond well to prescription topical antifungal medications.
Common Prescription Creams
Ketoconazole, Naftifine, Oxiconazole
Important Treatment Tip
Even when symptoms improve, continue treatment for the full recommended duration to reduce recurrence.
When Are Oral Medications Needed?
Oral antifungal medications are generally reserved for:
Severe or widespread infections
Chronic or recurrent athlete’s foot
Moccasin-type tinea pedis (thick scaling on the soles)
Cases involving the toenails
Infections that fail appropriate topical therapy
Immunocompromised patients
Most Commonly Recommended Oral Treatments
Terbinafine
Terbinafine, itraconozole, and fluconozole are considered the most commonly recommended oral antifungals for dermatophyte infections in podiatric and infectious disease literature.
Oral antifungal medications should only be prescribed and monitored by a healthcare professional. Some patients may require liver function monitoring and medication interaction review before starting treatment.
When Should You See a Podiatrist?
You should seek professional evaluation if:
The rash is painful or spreading
There is drainage, swelling, or signs of bacterial infection
You have diabetes or poor circulation
Symptoms keep returning
Over-the-counter treatments are not working
Toenails are becoming thick or discolored
Early treatment can prevent the infection from spreading to the nails or causing secondary bacterial infections.
Final Thoughts
Athlete’s foot is common, treatable, and preventable. The key to successful treatment is combining antifungal medication with proper hygiene and shoe care. Ignoring contaminated footwear or persistent moisture often leads to recurrence.
If you think you may have athlete’s foot, schedule an evaluation with your podiatrist to receive the proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
