Athlete’s Foot

Athlete’s foot is a common fungal infection (caused by a fungus). Athlete’s foot causes an itchy, stinging, burning rash on the skin on one or both of your feet. Athlete’s foot is most common between your toes, but it can also affect the tops of your feet, the soles of your feet and your heels. Your skin may become scaly and cracked or develop blisters. Sometimes, your feet smell bad.

Athlete’s foot is a form of ringworm. “Tinea pedis” is another name for athlete’s foot. “Tinea” is another name for ringworm, and “pedis” means foot or feet.

What does athlete’s foot look like?

Athlete’s foot can affect the skin between your toes, the bottoms of your feet, the tops of your feet, the edges of your feet and your heels. Your skin may appear irritated (red, purple, gray or white), scaly or flaky.

Who is at risk?

Athlete’s foot affects everyone. However, it most commonly affects men (and people assigned male at birth) and people over the age of 60. You may be more likely to develop athlete’s foot if you have:

• Diabetes.
• Obesity.
• A weakened immune system.
• Tissue damage or wounds on your feet.

How common is athlete’s foot?

Athlete’s foot is common. Estimates suggest that 3% to 15% of the population has athlete’s foot, and 70% of the population will have athlete’s point at some time in their lives.