What is Athlete’s Foot?
Athlete’s foot (tinea pedis) can cause itching, skin irritation, and sometimes lead to nail infections. Learn about how athlete’s foot develops, how to protect against it, and how to treat it here.
In Brief
- Almost everyone experiences athlete’s foot at some point in their life.
- Athlete’s foot is usually caused by dermatophytes (skin fungi).
- Athlete’s foot can be effectively treated with over-the-counter creams from the pharmacy.
- Note: The information in this article cannot replace a doctor’s examination and should not be used for self-diagnosis or treatment.
What is Athlete’s Foot?
Athlete’s foot (tinea pedis) can redden, crack, and itch the skin. The fungus typically settles between the small toes. Athlete’s foot can be effectively treated with over-the-counter creams from the pharmacy. Keeping your feet dry can help prevent athlete’s foot.
How to Recognize Athlete’s Foot
Athlete’s foot grows well especially between the toes. Typical symptoms include itching, flaking skin, a whitish color, and a thick or raised texture when touched.
Causes of Athlete’s Foot
Athlete’s foot is most commonly caused by dermatophytes. They settle in cracks or wounded areas of the skin and penetrate the outer layer of the skin.
- Important Information: Dermatophytes love warmth and moisture: this is the only way they can spread. Fungal spores are transmitted through direct skin contact or skin flakes. For example, when walking barefoot in communal showers or swimming pools, contact with infected skin fragments can lead to infection.
- Fungal spores can also cause toenail infections (onychomycosis). Skin fungi are similar to athlete’s foot fungi because the outer layer of the skin contains a large amount of keratin – a protein that skin fungi feed on. Additionally, the inside of shoes is often warm and moist.
Factors that Increase the Risk of Athlete’s Foot:
- Allergies
- Sweaty feet
- Atopic dermatitis
- Long-term use of medications that weaken the immune system
- A weakened immune system due to diseases
- Circulatory disorders in the legs caused by diabetes or narrowed blood vessels
- Jobs that require wearing safety shoes or rubber boots constantly
- Sports such as running or swimming
- Family history of athlete’s foot
Prevalence of Athlete’s Foot
Athlete’s foot is very common: research indicates it affects 3 to 15% of the population. It is more common in older adults than in younger people and more frequent in men than in women.
Course of Athlete’s Foot
Athlete’s foot usually does not go away on its own. If left untreated, the fungus can spread and infect toenails (onychomycosis). Athlete’s foot rarely spreads to other parts of the body such as the hands. It is not dangerous for people without other underlying health conditions.
Preventive Measures for Athlete’s Foot
- Carefully dry your feet after showering, bathing, or swimming.
- Wear flip-flops in locker rooms, communal showers, and swimming pools.
- Wear shoes that are not tight and allow for ventilation.
- Remove your shoes as often as possible.
- Do not share towels, socks, or shoes with others.
- Wash towels, socks, and bed linens at 60 degrees Celsius or higher.
- The effectiveness of these preventive measures against athlete’s foot has not yet been fully researched.
Diagnosis of Athlete’s Foot
During a medical examination, the affected areas of the skin are inspected and symptoms are discussed.
- The doctor will also take a skin sample to ensure no other skin diseases are present. The skin sample is examined in the laboratory for fungal spores. Results are usually available the next day.
- Identifying the specific pathogen takes longer, about 3 weeks, as a fungal culture needs to be created in the laboratory. These tests are rarely necessary.
How to Get Rid of Athlete’s Foot
- Over-the-counter sprays, gels, and creams with active ingredients can be purchased from pharmacies to treat athlete’s foot. These active ingredients kill the fungi or prevent their spread. Athlete’s foot typically disappears within a few weeks.
- Topical treatment for athlete’s foot is generally effective and successful, as studies have shown. If topical treatments fail, oral medications (tablets) can help.
- The effectiveness of home remedies such as herbal foot baths or tea tree oil has not been scientifically proven.
