What Is Athlete’s Foot and What Causes It?
Athlete’s foot is an itchy, stinging, red rash that starts between your toes. It can spread up the sides of your feet, to your toenails, the soles of your feet, and your hands if you scratch it.
A fungus called tinea pedis causes Athlete's foot. This common fungal infection impacts more than three million people in the U.S. each year, including both men and women of all ages. It most often affects the space between the toes. Symptoms include itching, burning, and cracked, scaly skin between your toes.
What Are the Symptoms of Athlete’s Foot?
Athlete’s foot can appear on one or both feet and can look differently on other people. In general, you probably have athlete’s foot if you’re experiencing:
- An Itchy, scaly, red rash between your toes
- Small, red blisters on the soles of your feet or between your toes
- Dryness and scaling on the soles and up the sides of your foot
- Ulcers or sores that leak fluid, smell bad and look red
How Did I Get Athlete’s Foot?
Athlete's Foot is frequently spread at a gym or swimming pool, where people are more likely to walk around barefoot. The fungus is spread by person-to-person contact, including walking on the same floor or surface, sharing shoes or towels, or touching your infected feet and then touching another person’s skin.
How Do You Treat Athlete’s Foot?
You can try over-the-counter creams sold in your local drugstore. However, if the symptoms don’t go away, it’s a good idea to visit a podiatrist at St. Cloud’s Foot and Ankle Center, where they can provide you with prescription medication to treat your athlete’s foot. It’s especially important to seek the help of a podiatrist if:
- The rash or sores from the condition leak fluid
- The rash spreads to your toenails
- You have diabetes or an immune deficiency
If you have these symptoms, come to any of the four central Minnesota offices of St. Cloud Foot and Ankle Center for immediate relief.
