Athlete's

Foot Treatment

Caused by various fungi, tinea pedis, commonly known as athlete’s foot, is a common fungal infection affecting the skin of the feet. In the warm environment caused by wearing snug shoes for prolonged periods, the most common areas for the infection are between the toes, but it can spread to or also appear on the soles, sides, or tops of the feet, and can even appear under the toenails. Highly contagious due to being a fungal infection, athlete’s foot causes irritation to the affected areas, often described as burning or stinging while causing flaking skin, peeling, and redness occasionally alongside a foul smell. Left untreated, an athlete’s foot nail infection and other parts of the body like the hands. Fortunately, athlete’s foot fungus treatment and medications are highly effective, with the vast majority of cases clearing within two weeks. 

Athlete’s foot symptoms can vary, with some cases featuring no noticeable signs at first and others being irritating enough to be a problem. In either case, the most common symptoms of athlete’s foot include: 

medical care

Itching: Persistent and intense itching is a hallmark of athlete's foot. It can be particularly bothersome, leading to discomfort.

medical care

Redness: The affected skin often becomes red, especially between the toes and on the sides of the feet.

medical care

Peeling or Scaling: The skin may peel or flake, and there may be visible scaling on the surface.

medical care

Burning Sensation: Some individuals may experience a burning or stinging sensation on the affected areas.

medical care

Cracking or Fissures: The skin may develop small cracks, especially in areas that are prone to friction or moisture.

medical care

Athlete’s Foot Blisters: Fluid-filled blisters may form, contributing to the overall discomfort.

medical care

Dry Skin: Athlete's foot can cause dryness on the affected areas of the feet.

medical care

Foul Odor: Fungal infections can sometimes lead to an unpleasant odor, particularly if the infection involves the toenails.

Athlete's foot is primarily caused by fungal infections, most commonly due to dermatophytes such as Trichophyton. These fungi thrive in warm, moist environments, making the spaces between the toes an ideal breeding ground. The infection is highly contagious and can be contracted through direct contact with an infected person or by coming into contact with contaminated surfaces, such as floors in public showers, swimming pools, shared towels, or shoes. Additionally, wearing tight, closed-toe shoes for prolonged periods, excessive sweating, and not keeping the feet clean and dry can create conditions favorable for fungal growth, increasing the risk of developing athlete's foot.

An athlete’s foot diagnosis is most often a clinical examination by a medical professional, with some cases needing laboratory tests to rule out causes with similar symptoms. Dermatologists and doctors alike typically recognize the characteristic signs and symptoms of athlete's foot during the first round of examinations. In the event that a test is needed, the most common include: 

medical care

Skin Scraping: The healthcare provider may gently scrape off a small sample of the affected skin for microscopic examination. 

medical care

Culture: A fungal culture involves placing the collected skin sample in a special medium to encourage fungal growth. 

medical care

Wood’s Lamp Examination: In some instances, a Wood's lamp (a specialized ultraviolet light) may be used to examine the affected skin. Certain types of fungi may fluoresce under this light.

Athlete’s foot fungus treatment typically involves topical antibiotics or medications that directly combat the infection and clear it within a reasonable amount of time. Most often, this is in the form of creams, lotions, or powders containing active ingredients like clotrimazole, miconazole, terbinafine, or tolnaftate. Alongside treatment, good foot hygiene is key, with keeping your feet clean and dry being the primary focus. 

Alongside athlete’s foot fungus treatment, management of the condition primarily involves keeping the affected foot clean and dry while making efforts to prevent spread. This means washing your feet each time you bathe and after you work out to remove any chance for an environment conducive to fungal growth from developing. Wearing breathable footwear, regular foot inspections, and using disinfectant on your go-to pair of shoes when possible. 

Preventing athlete's foot involves adopting good foot hygiene practices and taking precautions to reduce the risk of fungal infections. Here are some tips to help prevent athlete's foot:

medical care

Keep Feet Clean and Dry

medical care

Change Socks Regularly

medical care

Choose Breathable Footwear

medical care

Apply Antifungal Powder to your feet and inside your shoes

medical care

Avoid Walking Barefoot in Public Areas

medical care

Rotate Shoes Worn Regularly

medical care

Keep Toenails Trimmed

medical care

Limit Moisture when wearing shoes

medical care

Regularly Disinfect Shoes

medical care

Avoid Sharing Personal Items

Includes but not limited to:

medical care

Topical antifungal medications (Ketoconazole, Ciclopirox, or Naftifine)

medical care

Oral antifungal therapy (Terbinafine)

Select a Condition to Start Your Visit

How It Works

Answer a few health questions
Start Now
We'll review your symptoms and prescribe appropriate Rx
Start Now
Get Rx delivered to your pharmacy or doorstep!
Start Now

CallonDoc vs. Others

Reliable! Convenient! Fast! Affordable! Life saver!
These are some of the feedback we hear from over 450,000 amazing patients.

COD
  • Visit Fee
  • Rating
  • Type of Consultation
  • Weekends & Nights
  • Refundable?
  • Rx Cost
CallonDoc
  • $40
  • star 4.9
  • Online form submission, takes 10 mins
  • Open
  • check mark
  • Up to 87% discount
Others
  • $80 - $250
  • star 3.5
  • Appointment needed, takes hours
  • Unreliable
  • non-refundable
  • Full Price

260,000+ starstarstarstarstar Reviews

260,000+ star star star star star Reviews

Feedback from our amazing patients!

4.9
star
google icon star facebook icon

Highest Rated Telemedicine Provider

star
4.9 (3613 Reviews)
star
4.8 (2316 Reviews)

FAQ

Athlete's foot is unlikely to resolve on its own and often requires antifungal treatment to effectively eliminate the infection. Without proper intervention, the condition may persist or worsen over time.

Athlete's foot and jock itch are both fungal infections caused by dermatophytes, but they affect different areas of the body. Athlete's foot primarily targets the feet, while jock itch occurs in the groin and thigh areas, and each typically requires specific treatments.

Yes, athlete's foot is contagious and can spread through direct contact with infected skin or by contact with contaminated surfaces such as floors, towels, or shoes. Taking precautions, such as practicing good hygiene and avoiding