Athlete's foot (2024)

Athlete's foot is a common fungal infection that affects the feet. You can usually treat it with creams, sprays or powders from a pharmacy, but it can keep coming back.

Symptoms of athlete's foot

One of the main symptoms of Athlete's foot is itchy white patches between your toes.

It can also cause sore and flaky patches on your feet.

The skin can look red, but this may be less noticeable on brown or black skin.

Sometimes the skin on your feet may become cracked or bleed.

Other symptoms

Athlete's foot can also affect your soles or sides of your feet. It sometimes causes fluid-filled blisters.

If it's not treated, the infection can spread to your toenails and cause a fungal nail infection.

A pharmacist can help with athlete's foot

Athlete's foot is unlikely to get better on its own, but you can buy antifungal medicines for it from a pharmacy. They usually take a few weeks to work.

Athlete's foot treatments are available as:

creams
sprays
powders

They're not all suitable for everyone – for example, some are only for adults. Always check the packet or ask a pharmacist.

You might need to try a few treatments to find one that works best for you.

Find a pharmacy

Things you can do if you have athlete's foot

You can keep using some pharmacy treatments to stop athlete's foot coming back.

It's also important to keep your feet clean and dry. You do not need to stay off work or school.

Do

dry your feet after washing them, particularly between your toes – dab them dry rather than rubbing them
use a separate towel for your feet and wash it regularly
take your shoes off when at home
wear clean socks every day – cotton socks are best

Don’t

do not scratch affected skin – this can spread it to other parts of your body
do not walk around barefoot – wear flip-flops in places like changing rooms and showers
do not share towels, socks or shoes with other people
do not wear the same pair of shoes for more than 2 days in a row
do not wear shoes that make your feet hot and sweaty

Important

Keep following this advice after finishing treatment to help stop athlete's foot coming back.

Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:

You have athlete's foot and:

treatments from a pharmacy do not work
you're in a lot of discomfort
your foot or leg is hot, painful and red (the redness may be less noticeable on brown or black skin) – this could be a more serious infection
the infection spreads to other parts of your body such as your hands
you have diabetes – foot problems can be more serious if you have diabetes
you have a weakened immune system – for example, you have had an organ transplant or are having chemotherapy

Treatment for athlete's foot from a GP

The GP may:

send a small scraping of skin from your feet to a laboratory to check you have athlete's foot
prescribe a steroid cream to use alongside antifungal cream
prescribe antifungal tablets – you might need to take these for several weeks
refer you to a skin specialist (dermatologist) for more tests and treatment if needed

How you get athlete's foot

You can catch athlete's foot from other people with the infection.

You can get it by:

walking barefoot in places where someone else has athlete's foot – especially changing rooms and showers
touching the affected skin of someone with athlete's foot

You're more likely to get it if you have wet or sweaty feet, or if the skin on your feet is damaged.

Page last reviewed: 08 June 2021
Next review due: 08 June 2024

Athlete's foot, a prevalent fungal infection impacting the feet, is caused by various dermatophyte fungi. The condition typically manifests as itchy, white patches between the toes, often progressing to sore, flaky, and sometimes cracked skin, which might even lead to bleeding. It can extend beyond the interdigital spaces to affect the soles, sides of the feet, and occasionally form fluid-filled blisters. If untreated, the infection might spread to the toenails, leading to a fungal nail infection.

Identifying symptoms, like the presence of redness (which can be less discernible in individuals with darker skin tones), soreness, and persistent itching, aids in early recognition. Images sourced from Kitraveler and Science Photo Library offer visual evidence of the characteristic white patches and the severe manifestations of athlete's foot, reinforcing the varied presentations of this condition.

Treatment primarily involves antifungal medications available over the counter in the form of creams, sprays, or powders, with varying suitability based on age and individual circ*mstances. It's crucial to maintain foot hygiene—keeping feet dry, using separate towels, wearing clean socks, and avoiding tight, sweaty shoes—to prevent recurrence.

However, if over-the-counter remedies fail or if complications arise, seeking medical attention, especially in cases of intense discomfort, spreading infections, or underlying health conditions like diabetes or compromised immunity, is essential. A general practitioner may conduct tests, prescribe stronger antifungal treatments like tablets, or refer individuals to dermatologists for further evaluation and management.

The transmission of athlete's foot occurs through direct contact with infected skin or walking barefoot in contaminated areas like showers or changing rooms. Factors like moisture, sweat, and skin damage increase susceptibility.

The information provided encompasses the spectrum of athlete's foot—from symptoms and treatment to preventive measures and when to seek professional medical advice. It's a comprehensive guide to understanding, managing, and preventing this common foot ailment.