Athlete's Foot: What It Is, Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

Athlete's foot is a common type of infection that can affect both men, women, and children, especially men. Fungi thrive in dark and humid environments, which is why they can inhabit body folds, the groin area, and between the toes. Athlete's foot develops between the toes, on the toes, and in the toenails, causing significant symptoms for the affected person. Since the symptoms of athlete's foot can severely affect daily life, its treatment should not be delayed.

What Is Athlete's Foot?

Athlete's foot is a fungal infection that occurs on the top, bottom, between the toes, and in the toenails. Athlete's foot is usually caused by fungi from the Trichophyton or Epidermophyton genera and is highly contagious. Therefore, to prevent athlete's foot, it is important to keep your feet clean and dry, choose breathable shoes instead of sweat-inducing ones, and avoid sharing items such as towels and slippers. The treatment process for athlete's foot may vary depending on the severity and extent of the infection, but antifungal creams and medications are typically sufficient for treatment.

What Are the Symptoms of Athlete's Foot?

The symptoms of athlete's foot can often be uncomfortable, negatively affecting daily life. One of the most common symptoms of athlete's foot, itching in the infected area, should be resisted because scratching can spread the infection. Symptoms of athlete's foot typically occur on the top or bottom of the feet, between the toes, and in the toenails. The most common symptoms include:

Itching and burning sensations
Redness and blisters on the skin
Peeling and flaking of the skin
Cracks in the skin
Foul odor
Color changes in the toenails
Thickening, rotting, or cracking of the nails

Who Is at Risk for Athlete's Foot?

While athlete's foot is more common in men, it can also occur in women and children, though it is more frequently seen in certain situations. Risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing athlete's foot include:

Damp and warm environments: Sweating causes the feet to remain moist, creating a favorable environment for fungi to grow. Therefore, athletes, swimmers, and people who are very active are at increased risk for athlete's foot.
Diabetes: In diabetes, unstable blood sugar levels increase the risk of many diseases, including fungal infections of the feet.
Weak immune system: A weakened immune system increases the risk of infections in the body, including fungal infections.
Family history: People with a family history of recurrent athlete's foot are more likely to develop the condition.
Foot injuries: Injuries and cracks in the feet create an environment conducive to fungal infections.
Old age: As people age, their skin becomes damaged, dry, and thin. This wear and tear on the feet creates an ideal environment for fungal infections.

How is Athlete’s Foot Diagnosed?

The diagnosis of athlete's foot is usually made by a dermatologist or podiatrist based on physical examination and symptoms. Often, when the doctor listens to the symptoms and examines the infected area, they can check for signs of a fungal infection and its spread. However, athlete’s foot can be mistaken for other skin infections and diseases. In such cases, the doctor may take samples, scrape the skin or nails, and request laboratory tests to determine the cause of the infection. Tests used in diagnosing athlete's foot include:

Fungal culture: The doctor takes a sample from the infected area by scraping, creating a fungal culture that can help identify the cause of the infection.
Microscopic examination: The doctor may examine a portion of the sample under a microscope to determine the type of fungi in the infected area.

Types of Athlete’s Foot

Since athlete’s foot is caused by different species of fungi, there are various types of athlete’s foot. The most common types of athlete's foot include:

Interdigital fungus: Also known as intertriginous fungus, this is one of the most common types of athlete's foot, affecting the area between the toes. It presents with symptoms like itching, burning, skin peeling, and flaking.
Plantar fungus: Plantar fungus occurs on the soles of the feet, causing thickening, cracking, and pain in the skin.
Distal subungual onychomycosis: This type begins at the tips of the toenails and spreads to the nail. Symptoms include thickening, color change, decay, or cracking of the nail.
Proximal subungual onychomycosis: This infection begins at the base of the toenails and spreads to the nail bed. It causes thickening, discoloration, and decay of the nail.
Vesicular fungus (Vesiculobullous): Known as blistering fungal infection, vesiculobullous fungus causes blisters and fluid accumulation on the feet and toes.
Candidiasis: Caused by the fungus Candida, this infection affects the toenails and the space between the toes, leading to white discoloration and cracks, as well as blisters on the skin.

What are the Dangerous Consequences of Athlete's Foot?

Although athlete’s foot is generally not a serious health issue, if left untreated, it can lead to long-term discomfort. Dangerous consequences of untreated athlete's foot include:

Chronic infection: When athlete's foot is not treated, it can become chronic and harder to heal.
Development of other infections: Bacteria can easily colonize infected skin areas, leading to other bacterial infections as a result of long-term athlete’s foot.
Foot odor: Although not a dangerous result, foot odor can seriously affect daily life and social interactions, making it one of the significant consequences of athlete’s foot.
Skin lesions: Itching and blisters caused by athlete’s foot can spread over time and cause significant skin lesions.
Prolonged healing time: When athlete’s foot is not treated or recurs frequently, it may take longer for the next infection to heal.

Treatment Methods for Athlete’s Foot

The treatment for athlete's foot depends on the type and severity of the infection. Treatment options for athlete’s foot include:

Topical antifungal cream or ointment: Creams and ointments are applied directly to the infected area and are usually effective for mild to moderate fungal infections.
Oral antifungal medications: Oral antifungal drugs may be prescribed along with creams or ointments. They are necessary when the fungal infection is more widespread or severe.
Foot baths: You can prepare foot baths at home with ingredients like salt, vinegar, tea tree oil, or water-soluble antifungal medications to help treat athlete’s foot.
Foot hygiene: Good foot hygiene is crucial in the treatment of athlete’s foot. Daily airing, washing, cleaning, and drying your feet can significantly reduce the risk of developing athlete’s foot.
Cutting toenails: If the toenails are infected, the doctor may advise cutting the nails or applying antifungal medication directly to the nail bed.

How to Prevent Athlete’s Foot?

Preventive measures are important in avoiding recurring athlete’s foot problems. Measures to prevent athlete’s foot include:

Keeping your feet clean and dry
Not sharing towels, socks, slippers, or shoes
Wearing shoes that don’t cause excessive sweating
Changing socks frequently
Exposing feet to sunlight and ensuring they are aired regularly
Wearing slippers in pool areas or shared shower spaces
Regularly trimming toenails and taking care of foot hygiene
Monitoring symptoms of athlete’s foot for early treatment

Last Updated Date: 10 May 2023

Publication Date: 10 May 2023

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