Athlete’s Foot

Summary

Athlete’s foot is a common infection caused by a fungus. It most often affects the space between the toes. Symptoms include itching, burning, and cracked, scaly skin between your toes.

You can get athlete’s foot from damp surfaces, such as showers, swimming pools, and locker room floors. To prevent it:

• Keep your feet clean, dry, and cool
• Wear clean socks
• Don’t walk barefoot in public areas
• Wear flip-flops in locker room showers
• Keep your toenails clean and clipped short

Treatments include over-the-counter antifungal creams for most cases and prescription medicines for more serious infections. These usually clear up the infection, but it can come back.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Find an Expert

• American Podiatric Medical Association American Podiatric Medical Association
• Find a Dermatologist American Academy of Dermatology
• National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Start Here

• Athlete’s Foot American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons
• Athlete’s Foot American Podiatric Medical Association
• Athlete’s Foot Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

Patient Handouts

• Athlete’s foot Medical Encyclopedia
• Skin lesion KOH exam Medical Encyclopedia

Teenagers

• Athlete’s Foot Nemours Foundation

Children

• Athlete’s Foot Nemours Foundation

Images

• Athlete’s Foot (Tinea Pedis) VisualDX

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Tinea Pedis National Institutes of Health

Diagnosis and Tests

• Fungal Culture Test National Library of Medicine

Prevention and Risk Factors

• Fungus Infections: Preventing Recurrence American Osteopathic College of Dermatology
• How to Prevent Athlete’s Foot American Academy of Dermatology
• Hygiene-Related Diseases: Athlete’s Foot (Tinea Pedis) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Journal Articles

• Athlete’s Foot