Athlete’s Foot: Symptoms, Treatment, Prevention, and When to Get Medical Care
Athlete's Foot
Athlete’s foot, also called tinea pedis, is a common fungal infection that affects the skin of the feet. It often starts between the toes but can also spread to the soles, sides, or tops of the feet. The fungus grows best in warm, moist areas, which is why sweaty socks, tight shoes, locker rooms, public showers, and pool areas can increase the risk.
Athlete’s foot is usually not dangerous, but it can be uncomfortable, itchy, and contagious. If untreated, it may spread to the toenails, hands, groin, or other areas of the body.
Common Symptoms of Athlete’s Foot
Athlete’s foot may cause:
Itching, stinging, or burning between the toes
Peeling, cracking, or scaling skin
Redness or irritation
Dry, flaky skin on the soles or sides of the feet
Small blisters
Moist, white, or soggy skin between the toes
Foot odor
Painful cracks or open areas in the skin
The symptoms can sometimes look like dry skin, eczema, psoriasis, contact dermatitis, or a bacterial skin infection. If you are not sure what is causing your symptoms, it is best to be evaluated.
How Athlete’s Foot Spreads
Athlete’s foot can spread through direct skin contact or by touching contaminated surfaces. It may spread from:
Locker room floors
Public showers
Pool decks
Shared towels
Shared shoes or socks
Damp footwear
Contaminated nail tools or foot care items
Ringworm is caused by fungi and can affect different parts of the body, including the feet. Treatment depends on the location and severity, and some forms can be treated with over-the-counter antifungal medication while others require prescription treatment.
When to Seek Medical Care
You should schedule medical care if:
Symptoms are not improving after over-the-counter treatment
Symptoms are worsening
The rash is spreading
You have painful cracks, open sores, or bleeding
There is swelling, warmth, pus, drainage, or increasing redness
You have diabetes, poor circulation, immune system problems, or neuropathy
You have toenail thickening, discoloration, or crumbling
You have frequent athlete’s foot infections
You are unsure whether it is athlete’s foot or another skin condition
Schedule an appointment with a dermatologist if athlete’s foot is not improving or is worsening.
When to Go to Urgent Care or the ER
Seek urgent in-person care if you have:
Rapidly spreading redness or swelling
Severe foot pain
Fever
Red streaking up the foot or leg
Pus or significant drainage
A deep wound or ulcer
Black, blue, or numb areas of the foot
Diabetes with an open sore, infection signs, or worsening foot symptoms
These symptoms may suggest a bacterial infection, cellulitis, diabetic foot complication, or another condition that needs prompt in-person care.
Can Telehealth Help With Athlete’s Foot?
Yes, telehealth may be appropriate for many mild to moderate athlete’s foot concerns. During a virtual visit, your provider may review:
When symptoms started
Where the rash is located
Itching, burning, pain, cracking, or blisters
Whether symptoms are spreading
Prior treatment attempts
Diabetes, circulation problems, immune system concerns, or neuropathy
Current medications and allergies
Toenail involvement
Red flag symptoms that may require in-person care
Telehealth may not be appropriate if there are signs of severe infection, an open wound, diabetic foot concerns, severe pain, spreading redness, fever, or symptoms that need a hands-on exam.
How to Help Prevent Athlete’s Foot
You may reduce your risk by:
Keeping feet clean and dry
Drying carefully between the toes
Wearing clean, dry socks
Changing socks after sweating
Wearing breathable shoes
Rotating shoes so they dry fully
Wearing shower shoes in locker rooms, public showers, and pool areas
Avoiding shared towels, socks, and shoes
Using antifungal powder if feet sweat often
Treating symptoms early before they spread
Wearing shower shoes in public areas, keeping feet dry, wearing breathable shoes, changing socks daily or when wet, and avoiding sharing towels, shoes, or socks.
What This Means for You
Athlete’s foot is common and often treatable, but it should not be ignored if symptoms are spreading, painful, recurrent, or not improving with over-the-counter treatment. Good foot hygiene, keeping the feet dry, and using antifungal treatment as directed can help clear symptoms and prevent recurrence.
At Your Best Life Medical eClinic, we provide convenient telehealth visits for adults in Virginia when skin concerns are mild to moderate and appropriate for virtual care.
Concerned about itching, peeling, cracking, or burning between your toes? Schedule a telehealth visit today to discuss your symptoms and safe next steps.
This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
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