Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesTreatmentComplicationsPreventionFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Treatment
Complications
Prevention
Frequently Asked Questions
Athlete’s footis a contagious fungal infection that affects theskinon the feet and between the toes. It can cause fluid-filled blisters on the feet, as well as other symptoms. It commonly affects people whose feet become sweaty while wearing tight shoes, such as sneakers during physical activity, after exposure to the fungus.
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The fungus flourishes in hot or moist environments. It can grow in showers, locker rooms, or even around swimming pools.
Blisters resulting from athlete’s foot are usually raised and filled with fluid, such as serous fluid (a clear to pale yellow watery fluid). If the blister breaks and becomes an open wound, it could become infected and produce pus.
Who Gets Athlete’s Foot?Athlete’s foot is typically associated with athletes, because their feet spend a significant amount of time in damp, hot, and sweaty environments inside their shoes. However, anyone can get athlete’s foot.
Who Gets Athlete’s Foot?
Athlete’s foot is typically associated with athletes, because their feet spend a significant amount of time in damp, hot, and sweaty environments inside their shoes. However, anyone can get athlete’s foot.
OTC topical antifungal medications that can be considered to treat athlete’s foot include:
If OTC medications don’t help clear up your athlete’s foot, your healthcare provider may prescribe medications, such as:
Your healthcare provider may also recommendhome treatmentsto help clear up the infection, such as soaking your feet in warm salt water or vinegar.Tea tree oil also improves athlete’s foot.
When to Seek Medical HelpConsider seeking medical attention for a blister if:The blister gets bigger.The blister starts weeping pus (yellow or green, sometimes smelly or fluid).The area becomes increasingly swollen or inflamed.You suspect the blister is infected (increased warmth and redness).The blister is not healing with OTC medications (it should be nearly healed after two weeks and completely healed after one month).In these cases, drainage may be required.
When to Seek Medical Help
Consider seeking medical attention for a blister if:The blister gets bigger.The blister starts weeping pus (yellow or green, sometimes smelly or fluid).The area becomes increasingly swollen or inflamed.You suspect the blister is infected (increased warmth and redness).The blister is not healing with OTC medications (it should be nearly healed after two weeks and completely healed after one month).In these cases, drainage may be required.
Consider seeking medical attention for a blister if:
In these cases, drainage may be required.
In some cases, athlete’s foot can lead to complications.
Mild complications can include an allergic reaction to the fungus, which can lead to blistering on the feet or hands. It’s also possible for the fungal infection to return even after being treated.
A secondary bacterial infection can develop if blisters are filled with pus. This can lead to more severe complications. Signs of a bacterial infection include:
While uncommon, bacterial infections can spread to the lymphatic system and infect thelymph nodes.
Do Not Pop BlistersPopping blisters is not recommended. The bubble itself is a layer that protects against infection. Once the barrier is removed, the wound is exposed and can become infected. If a blister bursts on its own, do not peel off any dead skin.
Do Not Pop Blisters
Popping blisters is not recommended. The bubble itself is a layer that protects against infection. Once the barrier is removed, the wound is exposed and can become infected. If a blister bursts on its own, do not peel off any dead skin.
There are many simple changes a person can make to prevent athlete’s foot, including:
Summary
A Word From Verywell
Athlete’s foot can be painful and uncomfortable. If you experience blisters from athlete’s foot, consider trying one of the many antifungal medications available for purchase over the counter, without a prescription. Don’t hesitate to reach out to a healthcare provider to discuss the best option for you, or when more serious intervention may be needed.
Blisters that appear on the sole or instep of your feet may be a symptom of athlete’s foot. You should never pop an athlete’s foot blister, as that removes the protective barrier, which will make it more likely to become infected.
Learn MoreHow to Treat Different Types of Athlete’s Foot
12 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.University of Michigan Health.Athlete’s foot.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Tinea infections (ringworm).Johns Hopkins Medicine.Blisters.Sasagawa Y.Internal environment of footwear is a risk factor for tinea pedis.J Dermatol. 2019;46(11):940-946. doi:10.1111/1346-8138.15060Becker BA, Childress MA.Common foot problems: over-the-counter treatments and home care.Am Fam Physician. 2018;98(5):298-303.Thomas B, Falk J, Allan GM.Topical management of tinea pedis.Can Fam Physician. 2021;67(1):30. doi:10.46747/cfp.670130Kelly S, Liu D, Wang T, Rajpara A, Franano C, Aires D.Vinegar sock soak for tinea pedis or onychomycosis.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2017:S0190-9622(17)32448-9. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2017.09.043Satchell AC, Saurajen A, Bell C, Barnetson RS.Treatment of interdigital tinea pedis with 25% and 50% tea tree oil solution: A randomized, placebo-controlled, blinded study.Australas J Dermatol. 2002;43(3):175-178. doi:10.1046/j.1440-0960.2002.00590.xSolomon M, Greenbaum H, Shemer A, Barzilai A, Baum S.Toe web infection: epidemiology and risk factors in a large cohort study.Dermatology. 2021;237(6):902-906. doi:10.1159/000510540Kintsurashvili N, Kvlividze O, Galdava G.Prevalence and risk factors of tinea pedis in Georgian defense forces.BMJ Mil Health. 2021;167(6):433-436. doi:10.1136/bmjmilitary-2019-001397Kara Polat A, Akın Belli A, Göre Karaali M, Koku Aksu AE.The attitudes, behaviors, and opinions about non-pharmacological agents in patients with tinea pedis.Dermatol Ther. 2020;33(6):e14041. doi:10.1111/dth.14041Kovitwanichkanont T, Chong AH.Superficial fungal infections.Aust J Gen Pract. 2019;48(10):706-711. doi:10.31128/AJGP-05-19-4930
12 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.University of Michigan Health.Athlete’s foot.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Tinea infections (ringworm).Johns Hopkins Medicine.Blisters.Sasagawa Y.Internal environment of footwear is a risk factor for tinea pedis.J Dermatol. 2019;46(11):940-946. doi:10.1111/1346-8138.15060Becker BA, Childress MA.Common foot problems: over-the-counter treatments and home care.Am Fam Physician. 2018;98(5):298-303.Thomas B, Falk J, Allan GM.Topical management of tinea pedis.Can Fam Physician. 2021;67(1):30. doi:10.46747/cfp.670130Kelly S, Liu D, Wang T, Rajpara A, Franano C, Aires D.Vinegar sock soak for tinea pedis or onychomycosis.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2017:S0190-9622(17)32448-9. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2017.09.043Satchell AC, Saurajen A, Bell C, Barnetson RS.Treatment of interdigital tinea pedis with 25% and 50% tea tree oil solution: A randomized, placebo-controlled, blinded study.Australas J Dermatol. 2002;43(3):175-178. doi:10.1046/j.1440-0960.2002.00590.xSolomon M, Greenbaum H, Shemer A, Barzilai A, Baum S.Toe web infection: epidemiology and risk factors in a large cohort study.Dermatology. 2021;237(6):902-906. doi:10.1159/000510540Kintsurashvili N, Kvlividze O, Galdava G.Prevalence and risk factors of tinea pedis in Georgian defense forces.BMJ Mil Health. 2021;167(6):433-436. doi:10.1136/bmjmilitary-2019-001397Kara Polat A, Akın Belli A, Göre Karaali M, Koku Aksu AE.The attitudes, behaviors, and opinions about non-pharmacological agents in patients with tinea pedis.Dermatol Ther. 2020;33(6):e14041. doi:10.1111/dth.14041Kovitwanichkanont T, Chong AH.Superficial fungal infections.Aust J Gen Pract. 2019;48(10):706-711. doi:10.31128/AJGP-05-19-4930
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.
University of Michigan Health.Athlete’s foot.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Tinea infections (ringworm).Johns Hopkins Medicine.Blisters.Sasagawa Y.Internal environment of footwear is a risk factor for tinea pedis.J Dermatol. 2019;46(11):940-946. doi:10.1111/1346-8138.15060Becker BA, Childress MA.Common foot problems: over-the-counter treatments and home care.Am Fam Physician. 2018;98(5):298-303.Thomas B, Falk J, Allan GM.Topical management of tinea pedis.Can Fam Physician. 2021;67(1):30. doi:10.46747/cfp.670130Kelly S, Liu D, Wang T, Rajpara A, Franano C, Aires D.Vinegar sock soak for tinea pedis or onychomycosis.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2017:S0190-9622(17)32448-9. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2017.09.043Satchell AC, Saurajen A, Bell C, Barnetson RS.Treatment of interdigital tinea pedis with 25% and 50% tea tree oil solution: A randomized, placebo-controlled, blinded study.Australas J Dermatol. 2002;43(3):175-178. doi:10.1046/j.1440-0960.2002.00590.xSolomon M, Greenbaum H, Shemer A, Barzilai A, Baum S.Toe web infection: epidemiology and risk factors in a large cohort study.Dermatology. 2021;237(6):902-906. doi:10.1159/000510540Kintsurashvili N, Kvlividze O, Galdava G.Prevalence and risk factors of tinea pedis in Georgian defense forces.BMJ Mil Health. 2021;167(6):433-436. doi:10.1136/bmjmilitary-2019-001397Kara Polat A, Akın Belli A, Göre Karaali M, Koku Aksu AE.The attitudes, behaviors, and opinions about non-pharmacological agents in patients with tinea pedis.Dermatol Ther. 2020;33(6):e14041. doi:10.1111/dth.14041Kovitwanichkanont T, Chong AH.Superficial fungal infections.Aust J Gen Pract. 2019;48(10):706-711. doi:10.31128/AJGP-05-19-4930
University of Michigan Health.Athlete’s foot.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Tinea infections (ringworm).
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Blisters.
Sasagawa Y.Internal environment of footwear is a risk factor for tinea pedis.J Dermatol. 2019;46(11):940-946. doi:10.1111/1346-8138.15060
Becker BA, Childress MA.Common foot problems: over-the-counter treatments and home care.Am Fam Physician. 2018;98(5):298-303.
Thomas B, Falk J, Allan GM.Topical management of tinea pedis.Can Fam Physician. 2021;67(1):30. doi:10.46747/cfp.670130
Kelly S, Liu D, Wang T, Rajpara A, Franano C, Aires D.Vinegar sock soak for tinea pedis or onychomycosis.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2017:S0190-9622(17)32448-9. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2017.09.043
Satchell AC, Saurajen A, Bell C, Barnetson RS.Treatment of interdigital tinea pedis with 25% and 50% tea tree oil solution: A randomized, placebo-controlled, blinded study.Australas J Dermatol. 2002;43(3):175-178. doi:10.1046/j.1440-0960.2002.00590.x
Solomon M, Greenbaum H, Shemer A, Barzilai A, Baum S.Toe web infection: epidemiology and risk factors in a large cohort study.Dermatology. 2021;237(6):902-906. doi:10.1159/000510540
Kintsurashvili N, Kvlividze O, Galdava G.Prevalence and risk factors of tinea pedis in Georgian defense forces.BMJ Mil Health. 2021;167(6):433-436. doi:10.1136/bmjmilitary-2019-001397
Kara Polat A, Akın Belli A, Göre Karaali M, Koku Aksu AE.The attitudes, behaviors, and opinions about non-pharmacological agents in patients with tinea pedis.Dermatol Ther. 2020;33(6):e14041. doi:10.1111/dth.14041
Kovitwanichkanont T, Chong AH.Superficial fungal infections.Aust J Gen Pract. 2019;48(10):706-711. doi:10.31128/AJGP-05-19-4930
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