Athlete's Foot

Overview

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Athlete’s foot, also known as tinea pedis, is a common fungal infection that affects the skin of the feet. It often develops between the toes but can also involve the soles, sides, and heels. The infection thrives in warm, moist environments and may spread through shared floors, towels, shoes, locker rooms, or direct skin contact. Athlete’s foot can range from mild irritation to persistent itching, cracking, peeling, and inflammation.

Signs & Symptoms

Symptoms of athlete’s foot can vary depending on the type and severity of the infection. Common signs include itching, burning, redness, peeling, scaling, dry or cracked skin, and irritation between the toes or along the soles of the feet. Some patients may develop small blisters, painful fissures, or thickened areas of skin. Athlete’s foot may affect one or both feet and can sometimes spread to the toenails or other areas of the body.

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Evaluation & Diagnosis

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Athlete’s foot can sometimes resemble eczema, contact dermatitis, psoriasis, dry skin, or other dermatologic conditions. During your evaluation, we examine the affected skin, review your symptoms and medical history, and look for patterns commonly associated with fungal infection. When needed, a small skin sample may be collected for additional testing to help confirm the diagnosis and guide treatment.

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​Treatment For Athlete's Foot

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Treatment depends on the location, severity, and duration of the infection. Mild cases may respond to topical antifungal medications, while more persistent or widespread infections may require prescription-strength topical or oral antifungal therapy. Treatment may also include recommendations for controlling moisture, disinfecting footwear, changing socks regularly, and reducing the risk of reinfection. If a fungal toenail infection is also present, treatment may need to address both the skin and nails.