Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow it SpreadsHow It’s TransmittedPreventionTreatmentFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How it Spreads
How It’s Transmitted
Prevention
Treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
Athlete’s foot(tinea pedis) is not just for athletes; it’s a common infection.The itchy rash usually occurs between the toes and the soles of the feet. It can also affect the toenails.
Athlete’s foot can spread from person to person. That’s one reason to wear flip-flops in the pool locker room. It can also spread from your feet to other parts of your body.
This article will discuss how athlete’s foot spreads, prevention, and treatment options.
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How Does Athlete’s Foot Spread?
Fungi prefer warm, moist environments and can live on skin, nails, and hair. The infection spreads through skin-to-skin contact or contaminated items. That’s why it can easily migrate from one part of your foot to another or from one foot to the other.
It can also spread to other body parts. This is likely to happen after you’ve touched your feet. Once your hands pick up fungi, any part of the body you touch is vulnerable to infection. It might also spread if you wipe your feet and use the same towel on the rest of your body before washing it.
How Is Athlete’s Foot Transmitted?
Athlete’s foot is contagious. It can spread from person to person or through contact with contaminated items. The fungi also live in the soil or on animals such as cats and dogs.
Risk factors for athlete’s foot include sweaty feet or broken skin on the feet.
How to Prevent the Spread of Athlete’s Foot
It’s important to prevent spreading athlete’s foot to other parts of your body or anyone else. If you already have a treatment plan, stick with it. Find out if anyone in your household has an untreated athlete’s foot.
In addition to wearing flip-flops in public spaces where people walk barefoot (gym, pool, locker room), here are some basic ways to help prevent the spread:
With the right treatment, athlete’s foot usually goes away within two to four weeks.But it’s hard to tell when you’re no longer contagious. It’s important to finish all your medication, even if symptoms have cleared, so it doesn’t become a recurrent problem.
Athlete’s Foot Treatment
It’s best to start treating the athlete’s foot before it can spread. It may respond to topical antifungal treatments you can getover-the-counter(OTC). If it’s not improving within two weeks, you may needprescription-strengthmedication from a healthcare provider.
Antifungal medicines to treat athlete’s foot include:
Some people may benefit from also using a topicalkeratolytic, such as salicylic acid. You’ll likely have to apply the medication once or twice daily for one to six weeks. It’s important to follow directions and use all the medication.
When to Seek Medical CareSpeak with a healthcare provider if:You’ve tried OTC treatments, but they haven’t worked.You’ve used all your prescription medications but still have symptoms.Symptoms are not improving or are getting worse.You’re unable to wear shoes comfortably.You also havediabetesor aweakened immune system.
When to Seek Medical Care
Speak with a healthcare provider if:You’ve tried OTC treatments, but they haven’t worked.You’ve used all your prescription medications but still have symptoms.Symptoms are not improving or are getting worse.You’re unable to wear shoes comfortably.You also havediabetesor aweakened immune system.
Speak with a healthcare provider if:
Summary
Athlete’s foot is a common foot infection. But it doesn’t always end at the foot. The infection can spread through direct contact, say on your fingers, or through a contaminated object, such as a towel. You can take steps to prevent spreading athlete’s foot to other areas of your body or anyone else. Athlete’s foot may clear up with OTC antifungal treatments. If they don’t work within a couple of weeks, see a healthcare provider for prescription-strength medicines.
A Word From Verywell
Anyone of any age can get athlete’s foot. As common as it is, you might not recognize it when you see it. So if you’re not sure about a rash on your feet, it’s best to have a healthcare provider take a look. Rashes are often easier to treat before they have a chance to spread. The right diagnosis is the first step toward healthy feet.
Frequently Asked QuestionsIt may spread after you touch an affected area, then touch another part of your body before washing your hands. Or you may be frequently exposed to warm, damp conditions. As a result, you may need a stronger or different medication.Learn MoreSigns You Need Prescription Medication for Athlete’s FootIf they’re worn or torn, it’s a good idea. Otherwise, clean and disinfect them. Try alternating with another pair, allowing them to air out and dry thoroughly between uses. If the athlete’s foot won’t go away or recurs, it might be best to ditch them.Learn MoreChoosing the Right Athletic Shoes for Your FeetFungi may live for months without cleaning, disinfecting, and keeping shoes in the open air (rather than a gym bag).Fungi love moist, closed-in places. If your feet are in socks all day, bedtime may be the best time to expose your feet to air. It also depends on the severity of the infection and what medication you’re using, so it’s a good question for your healthcare provider.Learn MoreWe Researched the Best Socks for Sweaty Feet—Here Are Our Top Picks
It may spread after you touch an affected area, then touch another part of your body before washing your hands. Or you may be frequently exposed to warm, damp conditions. As a result, you may need a stronger or different medication.Learn MoreSigns You Need Prescription Medication for Athlete’s Foot
It may spread after you touch an affected area, then touch another part of your body before washing your hands. Or you may be frequently exposed to warm, damp conditions. As a result, you may need a stronger or different medication.
Learn MoreSigns You Need Prescription Medication for Athlete’s Foot
If they’re worn or torn, it’s a good idea. Otherwise, clean and disinfect them. Try alternating with another pair, allowing them to air out and dry thoroughly between uses. If the athlete’s foot won’t go away or recurs, it might be best to ditch them.Learn MoreChoosing the Right Athletic Shoes for Your Feet
If they’re worn or torn, it’s a good idea. Otherwise, clean and disinfect them. Try alternating with another pair, allowing them to air out and dry thoroughly between uses. If the athlete’s foot won’t go away or recurs, it might be best to ditch them.
Learn MoreChoosing the Right Athletic Shoes for Your Feet
Fungi may live for months without cleaning, disinfecting, and keeping shoes in the open air (rather than a gym bag).
Fungi love moist, closed-in places. If your feet are in socks all day, bedtime may be the best time to expose your feet to air. It also depends on the severity of the infection and what medication you’re using, so it’s a good question for your healthcare provider.Learn MoreWe Researched the Best Socks for Sweaty Feet—Here Are Our Top Picks
Fungi love moist, closed-in places. If your feet are in socks all day, bedtime may be the best time to expose your feet to air. It also depends on the severity of the infection and what medication you’re using, so it’s a good question for your healthcare provider.
Learn MoreWe Researched the Best Socks for Sweaty Feet—Here Are Our Top Picks
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Harvard Health.Athlete’s foot (tinea pedis).Cleveland Clinic.Ringworm.Makola NF, Magongwa NM, Matsaung B, Schellack G, Schellack N.Managing athlete’s foot.S Afr Fam Pract.2018;60(5):37-41. doi:10.4102/safp.v60i5.4911National Health Service U.K.Athlete’s foot.Gupta AK, Daigle D, Paquet M, et al.Topical treatments for athlete’s foot.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.2018;2018(1):CD010863. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD010863.pub2Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Treatment of ringworm and fungal nail infections.UpToDate.Dermatophyte (tinea) infections.UpToDate.Patient education: ringworm (including athlete’s foot and jock itch) (beyond the basics).
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Harvard Health.Athlete’s foot (tinea pedis).Cleveland Clinic.Ringworm.Makola NF, Magongwa NM, Matsaung B, Schellack G, Schellack N.Managing athlete’s foot.S Afr Fam Pract.2018;60(5):37-41. doi:10.4102/safp.v60i5.4911National Health Service U.K.Athlete’s foot.Gupta AK, Daigle D, Paquet M, et al.Topical treatments for athlete’s foot.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.2018;2018(1):CD010863. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD010863.pub2Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Treatment of ringworm and fungal nail infections.UpToDate.Dermatophyte (tinea) infections.UpToDate.Patient education: ringworm (including athlete’s foot and jock itch) (beyond the basics).
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Harvard Health.Athlete’s foot (tinea pedis).Cleveland Clinic.Ringworm.Makola NF, Magongwa NM, Matsaung B, Schellack G, Schellack N.Managing athlete’s foot.S Afr Fam Pract.2018;60(5):37-41. doi:10.4102/safp.v60i5.4911National Health Service U.K.Athlete’s foot.Gupta AK, Daigle D, Paquet M, et al.Topical treatments for athlete’s foot.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.2018;2018(1):CD010863. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD010863.pub2Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Treatment of ringworm and fungal nail infections.UpToDate.Dermatophyte (tinea) infections.UpToDate.Patient education: ringworm (including athlete’s foot and jock itch) (beyond the basics).
Harvard Health.Athlete’s foot (tinea pedis).
Cleveland Clinic.Ringworm.
Makola NF, Magongwa NM, Matsaung B, Schellack G, Schellack N.Managing athlete’s foot.S Afr Fam Pract.2018;60(5):37-41. doi:10.4102/safp.v60i5.4911
National Health Service U.K.Athlete’s foot.
Gupta AK, Daigle D, Paquet M, et al.Topical treatments for athlete’s foot.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.2018;2018(1):CD010863. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD010863.pub2
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Treatment of ringworm and fungal nail infections.
UpToDate.Dermatophyte (tinea) infections.
UpToDate.Patient education: ringworm (including athlete’s foot and jock itch) (beyond the basics).
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