Athlete's foot is a common fungal infection that affects the feet. You can usually treat it with creams, sprays or powders from a pharmacy, but it can keep coming back.
Check if you have athlete's foot
Symptoms of athlete's foot include:
RICHARD WAREHAM FOTOGRAFIE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
DR H.C.ROBINSON / SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
DR P. MARAZZI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
It can also affect your soles or sides of your feet. If it's not treated, it can spread to your toenails and cause a fungal nail infection.
Athlete's foot sometimes causes fluid-filled blisters.
A pharmacist can help with athlete's foot
Athlete's foot is unlikely to get better on its own, but you can buy antifungal medicines for it from a pharmacy. They usually take a few weeks to work.
Athlete's foot treatments are available as:
- creams
- sprays
- powders
They're not all suitable for everyone – for example, some are only for adults. Always check the packet or ask a pharmacist.
You might need to try a few treatments to find one that works best for you.
How you can help treat and prevent athlete's foot yourself
You can keep using some pharmacy treatments to stop athlete's foot coming back.
It's also important to keep your feet clean and dry. You don't need to stay off work or school.
Do
- dry your feet after washing them, particularly between your toes – dab them dry rather than rubbing them
- use a separate towel for your feet and wash it regularly
- take your shoes off when at home
- wear clean socks every day – cotton socks are best
Don't
- do not scratch affected skin – this can spread it to other parts of your body
- do not walk around barefoot – wear flip-flops in places like changing rooms and showers
- do not share towels, socks or shoes with other people
- do not wear the same pair of shoes for more than 2 days in a row
- do not wear shoes that make your feet hot and sweaty
Important
Keep following this advice after finishing treatment to help stop athlete's foot coming back.
Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:
- treatments from a pharmacy do not work
- you're in a lot of discomfort
- your foot is red, hot and painful – this could be a more serious infection
- you have diabetes – foot problems can be more serious if you have diabetes
- you have a weakened immune system – for example, you have had an organ transplant or are having chemotherapy
Treatment for athlete's foot from a GP
Your GP may:
- send a small scraping of skin from your feet to a laboratory to check you have athlete's foot
- prescribe a steroid cream to use alongside antifungal cream
- prescribe antifungal tablets – you might need to take these for several weeks
- refer you to a specialist called a dermatologist for more tests and treatment if needed
How you get athlete's foot
You can catch athlete's foot from other people with the infection.
You can get it by:
- walking barefoot in places where someone else has athlete's foot – especially changing rooms and showers
- touching the affected skin of someone with athlete's foot
You're more likely to get it if you have wet or sweaty feet, or if the skin on your feet is damaged.
Page last reviewed: 9 February 2018
Next review due: 9 February 2021