Athletes Foot Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is athlete’s foot?

Athlete’s foot is a very common skin infection of the foot caused by fungus. The fungus that commonly causes athlete’s foot is called Trichophyton. When the feet or other areas of the body stay moist, warm, and irritated, this fungus can thrive and infect the upper layer of the skin. Fungal infections can occur anywhere on the body, including the scalp, trunk, extremities (arms and legs), hands, feet, nails, groin, and other areas.

2.  What are the symptoms of athlete’s foot?

The symptoms of athlete’s foot typically include various degrees of itching and burning. The skin may frequently peel, and in particularly severe cases, there may be some cracking, pain, and bleeding as well. Some people have no symptoms at all and do not know they have an infection.

3.   What does athlete’s foot look like?

Athlete’s foot may look like red, peeling, dry skin areas on one or both soles of the feet. Sometimes the dry flakes may spread onto the sides and tops of the feet. Most commonly the rash is localized to just the soles of the feet. The space between the fourth and fifth toes also may have some moisture, peeling, and dry flakes.

There are three common types of athlete’s foot.

A. soles of the feet, also called “moccasin” type

B. between the toes, also called “interdigital” type

C. inflammatory type or blistering

4.  Is athlete’s foot contagious?

Athlete’s foot may be contagious from person to person, but it is not always contagious. Some people may be more susceptible to the fungus that causes athlete’s foot while others are more resistant. There are many households where two people (often husband and wife or siblings) using the same showers and bathroom for years have not transmitted the fungus between them. The exact cause of this predisposition or susceptibility to fungal infections is unknown. Some people just seem more prone to fungal skin infections than others.

5.    What are possible complications of athlete’s foot?

Untreated, athlete’s foot can potentially spread to other body parts or other people including family members. Fungus may spread locally to the legs, toenails, hands, fingernails, and essentially any body area.

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