What is athlete’s foot?

Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection of the skin that can lead to intense itching, cracked, blistered or peeling areas of skin, redness and scaling. It can occur on moist, waterlogged skin, usually between the fourth and fifth toes initially, or on dry, flaky skin around the heels or elsewhere on the foot. Large painful fissures can also develop and the condition can also spread along all five toes and sometimes to the soles of the feet if left untreated.

Signs and symptoms

  • Itchy feet – typically at night-time
  • Commonly occurs inner web space of the toes or/and the inside of the arch of foot
  • White and maceration between toes
  • Dry and flaky skin on the soles on feet
  • Redness
  • Blistering on the feet

What causes it?

It is caused by a number of fungal species that you can pick up from someone else shedding affected skin (typically in communal areas such as pools, showers and changing rooms) or where you may walk around barefoot. Athlete’s foot can also be passed on directly from person to person contact, although people who sweat more are more prone to infection. Once your feet have been contaminated, the warm, dark and sweaty environment of feet in shoes or trainers provide the ideal breeding ground for the fungus. However, athlete’s foot also occurs in dry, flaky areas. It’s quite common in summer with sandal wearers. The sun makes your skin dry out so it loses its natural protective oils. This combined with the constant trauma from sandals makes your feet more prone to infection.

Who can have fungal infections?

Anyone can get/have a fungal infection, at any stage of their life. However, there are individuals, who have a greater chance of developing fungal infections, because of risk factors. These risk factors include:

  • Hot and humid environment
  • Prolonged wear of occlusive footwear
  • Excessive sweating
  • Prolonged exposure to water
  • Break in skin barrier (Ulceration/fissures)
  • Genetics
  • Allergies and eczema
  • Weakened or immunosuppressed patients
  • Poor personal hygiene

Is it serious?

If left untreated, the fungus can spread to the toe nails, causing thickening and yellowing of the nail, which is much harder to treat. Fungal infections are highly contagious and can spread to anywhere on your skin – including your scalp, hands and even your groin. This is especially likely if you use the same towel for your feet as for the rest of your body. It is always best to treat this condition as soon as symptoms are first noticed.

What are the treatments?

Treatments depend on what type of athlete’s foot you have. Over-the-counter remedies are always a good starting point, and your GP or podiatrist can also recommend suitable treatments. For athlete’s foot where the skin conditions are dry: if the condition occurs on a dry area such as your heel, you need to restore moisture by rubbing in an anti-fungal cream or spray, sometimes combined with a steroid cream (all from your pharmacist). You must remember to wash your hands thoroughly afterwards, or use disposable gloves so you don’t get the fungus on your hands.

For athlete’s foot where the skin conditions are moist

Wash your feet in water as cold as you can bear (hot water only makes your feet fungus-friendly) then dry them thoroughly after washing, preferably with a separate towel or even kitchen roll. It is important to dab your feet dry rather than rub them, as rubbing tends to take away any healing skin. Although the skin may appear flaky and dry, never use moisturiser between your toes, and avoid powders as they can cake up and irritate skin. A spirit-based preparation such as surgical spirit can help (it’s cooling, soothing and antiseptic). This may sting a little but will evaporate the moisture and allow the skin to heal. Only use on unbroken skin.

In severe cases, an anti-fungal tablet may be prescribed. However, tablets are not suitable for everyone, for example pregnant women, so always check with your pharmacist and follow the instructions carefully. You should also avoid using anti-fungal powders between the toes, although they’re good for dusting inside shoes and trainers.

The mistake most people make is to stop their hygiene regime, shoe rotation and/or medication once their symptoms have gone. Although symptoms may disappear after several days or weeks of treatment, the fungus can lie dormant and could eventually reappear in the right environment. Some products require continued treatment for many weeks – always follow the instructions.

How can I prevent it?

The most important tip for preventing athlete’s foot is to ensure your feet are completely dry after washing them and before you put your shoes and socks on. However, there are many things you can do to make your feet less hospitable to fungal infections.

  • Change your footwear on a regular basis. If your foot wear isn’t changed you will constantly re-infect them by putting them into damp, infected shoes. It takes 24-48 hours for shoes to dry out properly, so alternate your shoes daily.
  • If you have to wear the same pair day after day, dry them out by using a hairdryer on a cold setting; this will get rid of the perspiration quickly without creating more heat. To help shoes dry out more quickly, take any insoles out. Also, loosen any laces and open your shoes out fully so that air can circulate. Choose trainers with ventilation holes.
  • If your shoes are so tight that they squeeze your toes together, this encourages moisture to gather between your toes and encourages fungus. Let air circulate between the toes by going for a wider, deeper toe box instead and choose shoes made from natural materials.
  • You should also change your socks daily.
  • Wear flip-flops in the bathroom and in public showers. This will ensure that you don’t leave shed skin around for others to pick up
  • Never wear anyone else’s footwear.
  • Keep toe nails trimmed
  • Avoid going barefoot in public places
  • Wash feet daily with soap and water

For further information or if you develop a problem with your feet, please contact your nearest podiatry clinic on

Carlisle – 01228 608020
Penrith – 01768 245628
 Workington– 01900 705120
Whitehaven – 01946 68635

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