Foot infections are often mild and easily treated at home, particularly fungal ones. Others can get worse and spread into the bloodstream, especially bacterial ones, and require aggressive medical treatment.
This article describes some of the more common fungal and bacterial foot infections, including how to recognize them and avoid them.
Verywell/Brianna Gilmartin
Fungal Foot Infections
Fungal foot infections can be persistent and hard to treat, but they are rarely life-threatening.
Athlete’s Foot (Tinea Pedis)
Mild cases can be treated with an over-the-counter (OTC)antifungal cream or spraylike Lamisil AF (terbinafine). Serious or persistent infections may require up to six months of treatment with an oral antifungal like Sporanox (itraconazole).
Athlete’s Foot: What Gets Rid of Fungus for Good?
Toenail Fungus
Onychomycosisis the medical term for a fungal toenail infection. Also known astinea unguium, it often occurs alongside tinea pedis but can occur on its own.
Onychomycosis is more common in people with aweakened immune systemor those withperipheral vascular disease(in which blood flow to the limbs is decreased).
Symptoms of toenail fungus include:
Onychomycosis is notoriously difficult to treat, partly because topical creams can’t penetrate the nail plate. Oral Lamisil (terbinafine) tends to work best, but it can take up to 12 months for the nail to fully grow back.
Are There Benefits to a Listerine Foot Soak?
Bacterial Foot Infections
Bacterial foot infections are less common than fungal foot infections but can sometimes turn serious, leading to systemic (whole-body) infection.
Most bacterial infections are established when a bacteria enters a sore, cut, or abrasion on a foot. The most common causes areStaphylococcus aureus(staph infection) andCorynebacterium,both of which naturally populate the feet.
Symptoms of a bacterial foot infection include:
Severe infections can lead to systemic symptoms, like fever, chill, nausea, or vomiting.
While anyone can have a bacterial foot infection, people who are older, immunocompromised, or have diabetes may be at risk of severe infections or complications like cellulitis.
Nail Infection (Paronychia): Everything You Need to Know
Erythrasma
Erythrasma is primarily seen in folds of skin, such as the armpits, under the breasts, in the groin, or between the toes. On light skin, erythrasma causes pinkish or reddish patches that gradually turn brownish and scaly. The lesions can be harder to spot on dark skin.
On the foot, erythrasma is most often seen on the webbing of the third, fourth, and fifth toes.
Erythrasma can often be diagnosed with aWood’s lampthat makes the bacteria look coral-pink under ultraviolet light. This infection is best treated with a topical fusidic acid cream or an oral antibiotic likeZithromax (azithromycin)orErythrocin (erythromycin).
Erythrasma Infection: Tied to Humidity, Diabetes
Foot Abscess
On the foot, an abscess can look like a little pimple that grows into a painful, inflamed lump that is red and warm to the touch. There may also be generalized achiness and low-grade fever. In some cases, an abscess can be extremely firm (indurated).
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from ©DermNet NZwww.dermnetnz.org2022
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Reproduced with permission from ©DermNet NZwww.dermnetnz.org2022
Abscesses can often be diagnosed with a physical exam. Your healthcare provider may order abacterial cultureto identify the bacterial culprit and prescribe the most effective antibiotic.
Cellulitis
Cellulitisis a potentially serious condition that involves the rapid spread of a local bacterial infection to adjacent tissues. With cellulitis, the infection will spread from the top layer of the skin (epidermis) into underlying layers (called thedermisandsubcutaneous tissue).
Risk factors for cellulitis include obesity, diabetes, andperipheral edema(fluid overload in the lower extremities, often seen in people with heart failure).
Cellulitis is most common on the legs and feet, causing:
Septicemia, in turn, can trigger a potentially, life-threatening inflammatory reaction known assepsis.
Simple cases of cellulitis may be treated withbroad-spectrum antibioticsfor between five and 14 days. Serious cases may require hospitalization with intravenous (IV) antibiotics and fluids.
When to Seek Emergency CareCellulitis is always a medical emergency. If you see a red streak moving up your foot, get immediate medical help.
When to Seek Emergency Care
Cellulitis is always a medical emergency. If you see a red streak moving up your foot, get immediate medical help.
Prevention
If your feet are especially sweaty or prone to fungal infection, use a daily OTC antifungal foot powder or spray.
If the skin on your foot is cut or scraped, wash it immediately with soap and water. Then cover it with a sterile bandage.
If your foot is prone to dryness and cracking, use a petrolatum-based foot cream to soften the skin.
Summary
Fungal foot infections include athlete’s foot and onychomycosis (toenail fungus). They’re easy to spread but can be readily treated with topical or oral antifungals.
Bacterial foot infections include erythrasma, abscesses, and cellulitis. Oral or topical antibiotics can clear them up.
13 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.Ilkit M, Durdu M.Tinea pedis: the etiology and global epidemiology of a common fungal infection.Crit Rev Microbiol.2015;41(3):374-88. doi:10.3109/1040841X.2013.856853Penn Medicine.What is Athlete’s Foot?Erwin BL, Styke LT, Kyle JA.Fungus of the feet and nails.US Pharm.2013;38(6):51-54.Montana Department of Public Health and Health Service.Athlete’s foot.Margarido Lda C.Oral treatments for fungal infections of the skin of the foot.Sao Paulo Med J.2014;132(2):127.Muth CC.Fungal nail infection.JAMA. 2017;317(5):546. doi:10.1001/jama.2016.20617Leung AKD, Lam JM, Leong KF.Onychomycosis: an updated review.Inflamm Allergy Drug Targets.2020 May;14(1):32–45. doi:10.2174/1872213X13666191026090713Sprenger AB, Purin KSM, Sprenger F, Queiros-Telle F.A week of oral terbinafine pulse regimen every three months to treat all dermatophyte onychomycosis.J Fungi (Basel).2019 Sep;5(3):82. doi:10.3390/jof5030082Steglinska A, Jachowicz A, Szulc J, et al.Factors influencing microbiological biodiversity of human foot skin.Int J Environ Res Public Health.2019 Sep;16(18):3503. doi:10.3390/ijerph16183503Collazos J, De la fuente B, García A, et al.Cellulitis in adult patients: A large, multicenter, observational, prospective study of 606 episodes and analysis of the factors related to the response to treatment.PLoS ONE.2018;13(9):e0204036. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0204036Forouzan P, Cohen PR.Erythrasma revisited: diagnosis, differential diagnoses, and comprehensive review of treatment.Cureus. 2020 Sep;12(9):e10733. doi:10.7759/cureus.10733Kolar SL, Liu GY.Targeting bacterial abscess formation.EBioMedicine.2016;12:16-17. doi:10.1016/j.ebiom.2016.10.017Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About cellulitis.Additional ReadingFindley K, Oh J, Yang J, et al.Topographic diversity of fungal and bacterial communities in human skin.Nature. 2013;498(7454):367-370. doi:10.1038/nature12171
13 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.Ilkit M, Durdu M.Tinea pedis: the etiology and global epidemiology of a common fungal infection.Crit Rev Microbiol.2015;41(3):374-88. doi:10.3109/1040841X.2013.856853Penn Medicine.What is Athlete’s Foot?Erwin BL, Styke LT, Kyle JA.Fungus of the feet and nails.US Pharm.2013;38(6):51-54.Montana Department of Public Health and Health Service.Athlete’s foot.Margarido Lda C.Oral treatments for fungal infections of the skin of the foot.Sao Paulo Med J.2014;132(2):127.Muth CC.Fungal nail infection.JAMA. 2017;317(5):546. doi:10.1001/jama.2016.20617Leung AKD, Lam JM, Leong KF.Onychomycosis: an updated review.Inflamm Allergy Drug Targets.2020 May;14(1):32–45. doi:10.2174/1872213X13666191026090713Sprenger AB, Purin KSM, Sprenger F, Queiros-Telle F.A week of oral terbinafine pulse regimen every three months to treat all dermatophyte onychomycosis.J Fungi (Basel).2019 Sep;5(3):82. doi:10.3390/jof5030082Steglinska A, Jachowicz A, Szulc J, et al.Factors influencing microbiological biodiversity of human foot skin.Int J Environ Res Public Health.2019 Sep;16(18):3503. doi:10.3390/ijerph16183503Collazos J, De la fuente B, García A, et al.Cellulitis in adult patients: A large, multicenter, observational, prospective study of 606 episodes and analysis of the factors related to the response to treatment.PLoS ONE.2018;13(9):e0204036. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0204036Forouzan P, Cohen PR.Erythrasma revisited: diagnosis, differential diagnoses, and comprehensive review of treatment.Cureus. 2020 Sep;12(9):e10733. doi:10.7759/cureus.10733Kolar SL, Liu GY.Targeting bacterial abscess formation.EBioMedicine.2016;12:16-17. doi:10.1016/j.ebiom.2016.10.017Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About cellulitis.Additional ReadingFindley K, Oh J, Yang J, et al.Topographic diversity of fungal and bacterial communities in human skin.Nature. 2013;498(7454):367-370. doi:10.1038/nature12171
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.
Ilkit M, Durdu M.Tinea pedis: the etiology and global epidemiology of a common fungal infection.Crit Rev Microbiol.2015;41(3):374-88. doi:10.3109/1040841X.2013.856853Penn Medicine.What is Athlete’s Foot?Erwin BL, Styke LT, Kyle JA.Fungus of the feet and nails.US Pharm.2013;38(6):51-54.Montana Department of Public Health and Health Service.Athlete’s foot.Margarido Lda C.Oral treatments for fungal infections of the skin of the foot.Sao Paulo Med J.2014;132(2):127.Muth CC.Fungal nail infection.JAMA. 2017;317(5):546. doi:10.1001/jama.2016.20617Leung AKD, Lam JM, Leong KF.Onychomycosis: an updated review.Inflamm Allergy Drug Targets.2020 May;14(1):32–45. doi:10.2174/1872213X13666191026090713Sprenger AB, Purin KSM, Sprenger F, Queiros-Telle F.A week of oral terbinafine pulse regimen every three months to treat all dermatophyte onychomycosis.J Fungi (Basel).2019 Sep;5(3):82. doi:10.3390/jof5030082Steglinska A, Jachowicz A, Szulc J, et al.Factors influencing microbiological biodiversity of human foot skin.Int J Environ Res Public Health.2019 Sep;16(18):3503. doi:10.3390/ijerph16183503Collazos J, De la fuente B, García A, et al.Cellulitis in adult patients: A large, multicenter, observational, prospective study of 606 episodes and analysis of the factors related to the response to treatment.PLoS ONE.2018;13(9):e0204036. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0204036Forouzan P, Cohen PR.Erythrasma revisited: diagnosis, differential diagnoses, and comprehensive review of treatment.Cureus. 2020 Sep;12(9):e10733. doi:10.7759/cureus.10733Kolar SL, Liu GY.Targeting bacterial abscess formation.EBioMedicine.2016;12:16-17. doi:10.1016/j.ebiom.2016.10.017Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About cellulitis.
Ilkit M, Durdu M.Tinea pedis: the etiology and global epidemiology of a common fungal infection.Crit Rev Microbiol.2015;41(3):374-88. doi:10.3109/1040841X.2013.856853
Penn Medicine.What is Athlete’s Foot?
Erwin BL, Styke LT, Kyle JA.Fungus of the feet and nails.US Pharm.2013;38(6):51-54.
Montana Department of Public Health and Health Service.Athlete’s foot.
Margarido Lda C.Oral treatments for fungal infections of the skin of the foot.Sao Paulo Med J.2014;132(2):127.
Muth CC.Fungal nail infection.JAMA. 2017;317(5):546. doi:10.1001/jama.2016.20617
Leung AKD, Lam JM, Leong KF.Onychomycosis: an updated review.Inflamm Allergy Drug Targets.2020 May;14(1):32–45. doi:10.2174/1872213X13666191026090713
Sprenger AB, Purin KSM, Sprenger F, Queiros-Telle F.A week of oral terbinafine pulse regimen every three months to treat all dermatophyte onychomycosis.J Fungi (Basel).2019 Sep;5(3):82. doi:10.3390/jof5030082
Steglinska A, Jachowicz A, Szulc J, et al.Factors influencing microbiological biodiversity of human foot skin.Int J Environ Res Public Health.2019 Sep;16(18):3503. doi:10.3390/ijerph16183503
Collazos J, De la fuente B, García A, et al.Cellulitis in adult patients: A large, multicenter, observational, prospective study of 606 episodes and analysis of the factors related to the response to treatment.PLoS ONE.2018;13(9):e0204036. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0204036
Forouzan P, Cohen PR.Erythrasma revisited: diagnosis, differential diagnoses, and comprehensive review of treatment.Cureus. 2020 Sep;12(9):e10733. doi:10.7759/cureus.10733
Kolar SL, Liu GY.Targeting bacterial abscess formation.EBioMedicine.2016;12:16-17. doi:10.1016/j.ebiom.2016.10.017
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About cellulitis.
Findley K, Oh J, Yang J, et al.Topographic diversity of fungal and bacterial communities in human skin.Nature. 2013;498(7454):367-370. doi:10.1038/nature12171
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
