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 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Athlete’s Foot American Podiatric Medical Association Array Athlete’s foot Skin lesion KOH exam Teenagers Athlete’s Foot Nemours Foundation Children Athlete’s Foot Nemours Foundation Images Athlete’s Foot (Tinea Pedis) Logical Images Prevention and Risk Factors Athlete’s Foot: How to Prevent American Academy of Dermatology Fungus Infections: Preventing Recurrence American Osteopathic College of Dermatology Hygiene-Related Diseases: Athlete’s Foot (Tinea Pedis) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Tinea Pedis National Institutes of Health Journal Articles Athlete’s Foot
