July 4, 2025, 8:09 pm | Read time: 5 minutes
People love to chat about all sorts of minor ailments. But athlete’s foot? No one talks about it. Yet tips would likely be very welcome. Here’s how to recognize an infection, prevent spreading, and treat it.
Even though the thought is unpleasant, fungi are everywhere on the skin. They only become a problem when they enter the skin through small cracks or injuries and cause inflammation. This can lead to athlete’s foot, which is much more than a cosmetic issue. If left untreated, it can spread along the foot to the heel and up the thighs to the buttocks. If it affects the nails, they become rough, brittle, and crumbly. Therefore, it is crucial to start treatment early.
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Overview
Recognizing and Treating Athlete’s Foot
Typical Symptoms Include:
- Persistent itching, especially between the toes, that does not subside despite care.
- Soft, moist areas of skin between the toes that do not dry out.
- Redness, skin scaling, or blistering between the toes, sometimes accompanied by pustules.
- Dry, scaly skin areas on the sole of the foot, often whitish or slightly reddened.
- Thickened calluses, scaling, or fine cracks in the skin on the sole of the foot.
For treatment, healthy adults can first try to tackle the fungus on their own: appropriate creams, gels, and sprays for fungal infections are available over the counter at pharmacies. They should be applied once or twice daily over the affected areas.
What patients should never do: stop the treatment prematurely. Even if symptoms improve, the treatment should continue for at least two weeks.1
Also of interest: The Different Forms of Skin Fungus and Their Symptoms
These Variants Exist
Athlete’s foot is distinguished by which areas of the skin are affected and the pattern the symptoms follow.2
Athlete’s Foot Between the Toes (Interdigital Type)
This is by far the most common variant. It mainly occurs in the spaces between the fourth and fifth toes because it is often moist and poorly ventilated there. The first signs are usually softened areas of skin. As it progresses, redness, scaling, and painful cracks may develop. An unpleasant odor often accompanies it.
Scaling Athlete’s Foot (Squamous-Hyperkeratotic Type/Moccasin Type)
This form primarily affects the soles of the feet, often also the edges and heels. It is characterized by dry, scaly skin with fine cracks. In advanced stages, the thickening can increase, especially on the heels, leading to deep and painful fissures. The pattern of infection often resembles a moccasin, which is why it is also referred to as the “moccasin form.”2
Athlete’s Foot with Blisters (Vesicular-Dyshidrotic Type)
This type is characterized by small blisters that appear mainly on the soles and edges of the feet. The blisters are often filled with fluid but do not burst on their own due to the thickening of the skin. Instead, they dry out and form crusts. The associated feelings of tightness, itching, and signs of inflammation are often particularly pronounced.
Causes and Risk Factors
Whether at the swimming pool, in the sauna, or in a hotel room, walking barefoot in these places exposes your feet to an increased risk. Fungal spores thrive on warm, moist floors and need only a minimal entry point, such as a softened area of skin, a small injury, or cracks between the toes. If they enter the skin in this way, athlete’s foot can develop.
The most common pathogens are so-called dermatophytes, which are filamentous fungi that prefer to settle in the keratin substance of the skin. However, yeast or mold can also cause an infection.3 Particularly favorable conditions arise when feet are enclosed in non-breathable footwear for extended periods. Wearing synthetic socks or excessive sweating creates a consistently warm and moist environment, ideal for the spread of pathogens.
Other risk factors include a weakened immune system, such as from pre-existing conditions, certain medications, or high stress. Chronic diseases like diabetes mellitus also increase the risk, as they impair blood circulation in the feet and make the skin more susceptible to damage. Circulatory disorders in old age or inadequate foot care also promote the development of athlete’s foot.
Also of interest: The different forms of skin fungus and their symptoms
When to Seek Medical Advice?
Athlete’s foot can often be effectively treated with over-the-counter products from the pharmacy. However, medical consultation should be sought in cases of recurrent infections or severe symptoms such as painful cracks, weeping skin areas, or if blisters form.
People with a weakened immune system should be especially cautious. This includes those with diabetes mellitus, as it can impair blood circulation in the feet and make the skin more prone to damage. Circulatory disorders in old age or limited foot care also promote the development of athlete’s foot.
Also of interest: The different forms of skin fungus and their symptoms
Tips for Prevention
To prevent a recurrence of athlete’s foot, it is advisable to take precautions once the infection has healed. Caution is recommended in places such as swimming pools, wellness facilities, saunas, and hotel rooms. It’s best to wear shower shoes in these areas. It is also advisable to keep feet dry, especially between the toes.
To prevent athlete’s foot, consider applying a broad-spectrum antifungal cream or spray, one to two times a week, to your feet as a preventive measure. This type of medication works against multiple pathogens.
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What to Do if Athlete’s Foot Keeps Coming Back?
If athlete’s foot keeps recurring after an infection has subsided, it may be helpful to apply or spray a broad-spectrum antifungal on your feet once or twice a week as a preventive measure. This medication works against several pathogens.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet, regular exercise, and sufficient sleep can also help strengthen your immune system, which contributes to protection against athlete’s foot.
*With material from dpa