Athlete’s foot: treatment, prevention and when it’s something else

Athlete’s foot has nothing to do with being an athlete. The fungi that cause it just love warm, damp places, like sweaty socks, locker rooms and pool decks, which is how it got its name.

Signs of athlete’s foot

• Itching, stinging or burning between the toes.
• Peeling, cracking or white, soggy skin between the toes (usually the fourth and fifth).
• Dry, scaly skin across the sole and sides of the foot, in a “moccasin” pattern.
• Sometimes small, itchy blisters.^[1]

Other skin conditions, including eczema, psoriasis and contact dermatitis, can look very similar. If a rash doesn’t respond to antifungal treatment, it may be something else.^[3]

How to treat it

Topical antifungal creams clear most cases. In a Cochrane review, allylamines (such as terbinafine) and azoles (such as clotrimazole and miconazole) both cleared far more infections than placebo, and allylamines cleared slightly more than azoles.^[2]

Tips for success:

• Wash and dry the feet well before applying.
• Apply to the rash and a little beyond it.
• Use it for the full course on the package, often one to four weeks, and continue briefly after the skin looks clear.
• Treat your shoes: let them dry out fully between wears, and consider an antifungal powder.

Oral medication is used for extensive, severe or stubborn infections, and it works: terbinafine and itraconazole were effective in trials.^[4]

When it spreads to the nails

Untreated athlete’s foot can spread to the toenails, making them thick, discolored and crumbly. Nail infections are harder to treat and usually need a longer plan. See toenail fungus treatment.

Preventing it

• Dry carefully between your toes after bathing.
• Wear moisture-wicking socks and change them daily, and after exercise.
• Rotate your shoes so each pair dries out.
• Wear sandals in locker rooms, showers and around pools.
• Don’t share towels, socks or shoes.^[1]

Common questions

Is athlete’s foot contagious?

Yes. It spreads through contact with the fungus, on damp floors in locker rooms, showers and pool areas, and by sharing towels, socks or shoes.^[1] Covering your feet in shared spaces and keeping your own towel protect you and the people you live with.

My child has a scaly rash on the foot. Is it athlete’s foot?

Possibly, but athlete’s foot is more common in teenagers and adults than in young children, and eczema and other skin conditions can look very similar.^[3] If a rash on a young child’s foot doesn’t clear quickly with simple care, have it checked before using antifungal creams for weeks.

Can I use a cream with a steroid in it for the itch?

It’s better not to. Creams that combine an antifungal with a steroid are discouraged for fungal skin infections, to help the treatment work and to limit resistance.^[3] A plain antifungal cream treats the cause of the itch.

Why people with diabetes should take it seriously

Cracked skin between the toes can let bacteria in. For someone with diabetes or poor circulation, that can lead to a serious infection. See diabetic foot care.

When to see a podiatrist