How to Care For Athlete’s Foot: Symptoms & Treatment

Athlete’s foot can be uncomfortable, itchy and persistent, but in most cases it can be treated effectively with antifungal medicine and good foot care.

The key is recognising the infection early, keeping your feet clean and dry, and completing treatment even if your symptoms start improving.

Here’s how to identify athlete’s foot, treat it correctly and reduce the chances of spreading or developing it again.

Quick Overview

• Athlete’s foot (tinea pedis) is a contagious fungal infection that commonly affects the skin between the toes but can also spread to the soles, sides of the feet and toenails.
• Common symptoms include itching, flaky or cracked skin, soreness, burning and fluid-filled blisters.
• The infection can spread through direct contact or contaminated surfaces and personal items, while sweaty feet, damp socks and minor skin damage can increase your risk.
• Treatment usually involves topical antifungal medicines alongside good foot hygiene, including keeping your feet clean and thoroughly dry.

What Is Athlete’s Foot?

Athlete’s foot, medically known as tinea pedis, is a fungal infection affecting the skin of the feet. It most commonly develops between the toes, although it can also affect the soles and sides of the feet.

Despite its name, you do not have to be an athlete to develop it. The fungi responsible thrive particularly well in warm, moist environments, making sweaty feet and communal changing or shower areas common risk factors.

What Are the Symptoms of Athlete’s Foot?

Athlete’s foot can look different depending on where and how severely the skin is affected. Common symptoms include:

• Itchy white patches, particularly between the toes
• Flaky, scaly or peeling skin
• Dry or cracked skin
• Redness or other changes in skin colour
• Soreness or burning
• Cracks that may occasionally bleed
• Small, fluid-filled blisters

The infection can spread to other areas of the foot (soles or sides of the feet) and, if left untreated, may also spread to the toenails, which can lead to a fungal nail infection.

How Do You Get Athlete’s Foot?

Athlete’s foot spreads when your skin comes into contact with the fungi responsible for the infection. This can happen through direct skin-to-skin contact or indirectly through contaminated surfaces and personal items.

For example, you may pick up the infection by:

• Walking barefoot in communal showers, changing rooms, pools, or saunas.
• Sharing towels, socks or shoes.
• Coming into contact with affected skin.
• Touching contaminated floors or other surfaces.

Fungi thrive in warm and damp conditions, so keeping feet moist or sweaty for prolonged periods can create an environment in which infection is more likely to develop.

What Increases Your Risk of Athlete’s Foot?

Certain conditions make it easier for the fungi that cause athlete’s foot to grow and infect the skin. Common risk factors include:

• Sweaty feet: Wearing tight, closed or poorly ventilated shoes for long periods can trap heat and moisture, creating an ideal environment for fungi to grow.
• Damp socks: Staying in wet or sweaty socks keeps your feet moist for longer and can encourage fungal growth.
• Minor skin damage: Small cuts, cracks or other breaks in the skin can make it easier for fungi to establish an infection.

If exercise is a regular part of your routine, you may also find our guide to common sports injuries and their treatments useful.

Is Athlete’s Foot Contagious?

Yes, athlete’s foot is contagious and can spread from one person to another through direct contact or contaminated surfaces and items such as floors, towels, socks and shoes.

It can also spread to other areas of your own body, particularly if you scratch the infected skin and then touch elsewhere. Washing your hands after applying treatment and avoiding scratching can help reduce this risk.

How to Treat Athlete’s Foot

Athlete’s foot is unlikely to clear up by itself, so treatment is usually needed. Several antifungal medicines can be used to treat athlete’s foot, so let’s take a closer look at some of the most common options:

1. Use An Antifungal Treatment

Antifungal medicines either kill fungi or prevent them from growing. For athlete’s foot, topical treatments are available as creams, gels, sprays, liquids and powders.

Common antifungal active ingredients include:

• Terbinafine (e.g., Lamisil)
• Clotrimazole (e.g., Canesten)
• Ketoconazole (e.g., Daktarin Gold)

The correct application frequency and treatment duration depend on the medicine, so always follow the instructions supplied with your product. Importantly, do not stop treatment early simply because your symptoms look better, as the infection can return.

2. Keep Your Feet Clean And Dry

Wash your feet regularly and dry them thoroughly afterwards, paying particular attention to the spaces between your toes. Rather than rubbing irritated skin, gently dab it dry.

Wear clean socks every day and choose footwear that does not leave your feet excessively hot and sweaty. Alternating shoes can also give each pair time to dry properly between wears.

3. Treat Blisters Carefully

Athlete’s foot can sometimes cause small fluid-filled blisters. Avoid deliberately bursting, scratching or picking them, as damaged skin can increase the risk of further infection.

If blistering is extensive, particularly painful, or you are unsure whether athlete’s foot is actually responsible, speak to a pharmacist or GP rather than attempting to treat the blisters yourself.

4. Moisturise Dry or Cracked Skin Carefully

Athlete’s foot can sometimes leave the skin on your feet dry, flaky or cracked. Using a suitable moisturiser on these areas can help soften the skin and prevent dryness from worsening, alongside your antifungal treatment.

How to moisturise feet with athlete’s foot

When moisturising your feet:

• Apply the product mainly to dry or cracked areas, such as the soles and heels.
• Keep moisturiser away from the spaces between your toes, particularly where the skin is already moist or soggy, as additional moisture can create conditions that favour fungal growth.
• If you are also using a topical antifungal, follow its instructions carefully and allow it to absorb before applying other products.
• Wash your hands after touching or treating the affected skin to help prevent the infection from spreading.

If you are unsure which moisturiser is suitable alongside your antifungal treatment, ask a pharmacist for advice.

Quick Athlete’s Foot Care Guide: Do’s & Don’ts

When to See a GP

Speak to a GP if:

• Pharmacy treatments have not worked
• You are experiencing significant pain
• Your foot or leg becomes hot, painful and red
• The infection spreads to other areas, such as your hands
• You have diabetes
• You have a weakened immune system.

A GP may take a small skin scraping to confirm the diagnosis, prescribe additional treatment or, when necessary, prescribe antifungal tablets.

Athlete’s Foot — Conclusion

Athlete’s foot is usually manageable with the right antifungal treatment and consistent foot hygiene. Keeping your feet clean and dry, completing treatment and avoiding behaviours that spread the infection can also help prevent it from returning.

For effective treatment at home, explore Weldricks’ range of trusted antifungal products to find a suitable option for managing fungal infections and relieving uncomfortable symptoms!