Athlete's Foot

Athlete’s foot is actually caused by the same kind of fungus that causes ringworm and jock itch. The name of the infection simply describes the location on the body; if it spreads to the groin area, then it’s called jock itch. While moist and warm conditions don’t cause Athlete’s foot, they do encourage its growth and proliferation. You are at higher risk of developing Athlete’s foot if you:

 • Wear enclosed shoes that are likely to keep your feet hot and sweaty

 • Sweat often or live in an area with warm and humid weather

 • Share clothing and other intimate items with an infected individual (mats, bedding, shoes, slippers, socks, etc)

 • Walk barefoot in warm and moist communal areas such as saunas, swimming pools, locker rooms, etc

It’s not difficult to prevent athlete’s foot as long as you follow these precautions:

 • Keep your feet clean and aired out whenever possible (wear sandals to minimize sweating on a hot day, moisture-wicking socks, wash your feet every day with a separate towel, etc)

 • Wear clean socks every day and wear different shoes every 2 or 3 days

 • Don’t walk barefoot in public spaces or outside your home

 • Don’t share shoes or unwashed bedding and towels if you can help it

 • If someone in your home has Athlete’s foot, be sure to wash the clothing they used in hot water (140° F or 60° C), then dry them out under direct sunlight for at least a few hours (the sun’s UV will kill any resistant fungus that survives the wash)

Most cases of Athlete’s foot can be successfully treated at home. You can try the following home remedies to relieve your symptoms:

 • Hydrogen peroxide solution (apply to the affected area)

 • Over-the-counter anti-fungal sprays, lotions, and powders

 • Tea tree oil (massage in the affected area twice a day for one month)

 • Rubbing alcohol (apply directly on the affected area or soak your feet in a rubbing alcohol bath—equal proportion of rubbing alcohol to water—for 30 minutes daily)

 • Baking soda and water paste (apply daily on the infected area)

Your symptoms should start to improve once you start treatment, but you need to be patient because complete recovery may take between 4 to 6 weeks. Stopping your treatment too soon can cause your symptoms to return. 

You should refrain from relying on home treatment if you have diabetes or a weakened immune system for any reason (chemotherapy, HIV/AIDS, organ transplant, etc). Because your natural healing is compromised, it is imperative that you see your primary care physician or podiatrist as soon as possible.  

You should see your doctor or podiatrist right away if:

 • Your symptoms do not improve or they get worse after a few days of home treatment

 • Your symptoms are severe enough to interfere with your daily activities

 • The infection has spread to other parts of your body such as your hands

 • You have diabetes or are immune-compromised for any reason (chemotherapy, organ transplant, HIV/AIDS, etc)

It is very unlikely for athlete’s foot to get better without treatment, though it’s possible for very mild cases to resolve themselves without additional effort. Usually, the fungi will continue to proliferate and ravage the skin unless treatment is administered as soon as possible. Though this type of foot condition is not an emergency, it has the potential to worsen and spread rapidly (to other parts of the body, and to other people) if no effort is made to treat it. Neglect is not the answer to any health issue, no matter how benign it may be at first. 

If left untreated, the fungus can spread to infect other parts of the body, such as the nails, hands, and groin. The skin may start peeling and cracking, which can be quite painful. These open cracks or wounds in the skin can make it easy for bacteria to enter the body and cause secondary infections. This can be especially dangerous for patients with diabetes or weakened immunity, as this can potentially lead to sepsis or gangrene. 

Medical therapies for Athlete’s foot include potent anti-fungal creams and ointments, steroid cream to relieve inflammation, and oral anti-fungal tablets. 

There are a variety of reasons why some patients suffer from recurring Athlete’s foot. One of the most common reasons for reinfection or relapse is when you stop treatment too soon. If you fail to use the medication as directed for the specified amount of time, it’s likely that there’s still a small amount of the infection remaining in your system. Reinfection through shoes and socks are also hazards to watch out for. In very rare circumstances, some patients may experience reinfection from unclean pedicure instruments at a salon. Bad habits can also raise your chances of reinfection (walking barefoot in wet communal areas like locker rooms and saunas, not changing your socks every day, etc). 

Some patients are more prone to reinfection, but for reasons, they can’t help. Diabetic patients and those with chronic immune deficiency are more vulnerable to all types of infections because their natural healing ability is impaired. If you are otherwise healthy with no chronic health conditions, you can do the following to effectively prevent a relapse:

 • Apply medicated foot powder daily after cleaning your feet

 • Maintain good habits to lower your risk for Athlete’s foot (changing socks regularly, alternating your shoes every 2 or 3 days, never going barefoot in public places, not sharing shoes and socks, etc)

 • Treat your shoes to ensure that no fungus is living there (Lysol, anti-fungal mists, UV shoe cleaning), or throw them out

 • Wash your socks (and any potentially infected clothing) in hot water (140° F/60° C) and line dry them in direct sunlight

 • Let your feet do some sunbathing (direct sunlight kills fungus, eliminates moisture, helps your body make vitamin D, and naturally boosts your immunity)

 • Wear copper compression socks (copper is naturally anti-fungal and anti-microbial, and keeps your feet clean and dry)

The condition of our feet is integral to our overall health, which naturally impacts our quality of life. To protect the health and function of your feet, it is recommended that you practice good lifestyle habits, listen to your body, and prioritize timely treatment when you need it.