Athlete’s foot is a very common fungal infection of the foot. This condition is a form of ringworm that’s also known as tinea pedis. The same fungus can also infect the scalp (tinea capitis), the skin (tinea corporis), or the groin (tinea cruris or jock itch). This infection gets its name because it often affects athletes, but anyone can get it, regardless of gender, age, or physical activity level. At some point, up to 70% of men and women develop athlete’s foot, which usually begins between the toes.
The fungus that causes athlete’s foot is found everywhere, including clothing, shoes, showers, and floors. The fungus will only infect skin when conditions are right, which means a moist and warm environment often found in shoes. Signs of athlete’s foot can include dryness, cracking, and redness between the toes as well as blisters and itching.
While athlete’s foot is contagious, it can be treated with an over-the-counter medication in most cases. When the condition has led to fissures or cracks in the skin, a prescription will likely be necessary. A doctor’s visit is not always necessary for athlete’s foot, but it is important for people who have diabetes or a weakened immune system. Without treatment, the fungal infection will get worse over time and may spread to other areas like the hands.
1. Skin Pain
Not everyone experiences pain from athlete’s foot, but it is common enough. The condition is most likely to cause pain when it goes untreated or spreads, especially if it spreads to toenails and causes onychomycosis. This can make the nails thick and crumbly with inflammation and pain. Athlete’s foot can also be painful when it causes cracks and fissures of the skin. This can become serious enough that it makes it hard to walk without pain.
If the skin is itchy, scratching the feet may be painful. It can also lead to raw skin and blisters, which may ooze and become very painful to the touch. Athlete’s foot that has become painful may be a sign that professional treatment is necessary.
A bacterial infection is the most common cause of skin pain associated with athlete’s foot. As the fungal infection worsens and spreads, it damages the skin and makes it more susceptible to bacteria. Bacteria may go very deep into the open wounds and lead to cellulitis, a painful and inflammatory condition. A secondary infection may also cause heat, swelling, pus, fever, and drainage of the skin.
2. Rashes
In many people, athlete’s foot causes a tell-tale rash on the feet. This is one of the most common symptoms of athlete’s foot and the rash won’t look like regular irritation. Athlete’s foot rashes are usually scaly and come with stinging, burning, or itchiness. The rash will also be red and may develop small blisters that ooze and hurt. The scaly rashes may start between the toes or the soles of the feet and may spread across the entire foot or to other areas of the body. If the rash is painful, tea tree oil may help relieve the symptom until an anti-fungal treatment begins to work.
3. Blisters
A fungal infection of the foot may start as dry peeling but it can progress into a rash and a burning sensation. Some people have a more serious reaction. With a severe infection, it’s possible for the skin to become cracked with painful blisters. There are two ways for these sores to form. In some people, the dry skin of the fungal infection increases friction while wearing shoes. Others develop small blisters as a direct result of the fungus. These blisters are usually small with a red halo and a dark peak. They tend to be very itchy and burst easily. Most people develop the blisters along the arch of the foot. Blisters should be treated by a physician as they are at risk of bacterial infection.
4. Dryness
The classic sign of athlete’s foot is dryness of the skin, especially between the toes. The difference between regular dry skin and a fungal infection may be subtle, but it’s likely fungus if it hasn’t responded to other treatments. Treating dry skin with moisturizers can actually improve conditions for fungi to grow and spread. The dryness usually starts between the toes, but some people develop dry, flaking, or peeling skin just on the soles of the feet. The skin may or may not itch and it does not always spread across the whole foot. There is typically no harm in treating dry skin with an over-the-counter fungal cream as a precaution, even if it’s just dry skin and not fungus.
5. Skin Burning Sensation
Some people are lucky enough to have no symptoms aside from dry, peeling skin while others experience severe burning and pain. One of the most common signs of athlete’s foot is a burning sensation on the skin. Athlete’s foot may begin as just itching before progressing to an intense sensation that something is burning in your shoes or under your toes. Blisters may follow this symptom. A burning sensation of the feet can also be caused by neuropathy — especially due to diabetes — or inflammation or another type of chronic condition. When the burning comes with a rash or dryness between the toes, it’s likely caused by a fungal infection.
6. Infection
Some people get bacterial infections that occur along with the athlete’s foot. This happens because the fungal infection damages the skin and causes peeling and open sores. These wounds make the skin more vulnerable to a bacterial invasion. A bacterial infection is a fairly uncommon but potentially serious complication of athlete’s foot. The bacteria can move deep into the skin and cause inflammation, extreme pain, pus, and fever. The bacteria may even spread to the lymph system and cause a more serious condition. Athlete’s foot that has progressed to fissures, cracks, or blisters increases the risk of a bacterial problem.
7. Itching
Athlete’s foot is caused by the same fungus as the aptly named jock itch. As the name implies, this fungal disease can leave the skin very itchy, especially as it spreads. Some people do not experience any itchiness, but others find this is one of the worst symptoms of athlete’s foot. Dry and infected areas, usually between the toes but sometimes just on the soles of the feet, will be the only itchy areas. An over-the-counter anti-fungal can help cure most infections, but in the meantime, applying tea tree oil to the skin can offer relief.
8. Swelling
As a fungal infection spreads across the foot, it can cause redness and itchiness. Over time, tiny blisters can break out across the arch of the foot and between the toes. These blisters often break open to expose fissures that may become swollen. Swelling is often the result of skin damaged by a fungal infection that becomes infected with a secondary bacteria. The bacterial infection may cause cellulitis, which can make the skin hot and swollen. When swelling is present and athlete’s foot is suspected, prompt treatment is important as it indicates a secondary bacterial invasion.
