Home Remedies for Athlete’s Foot

Experience: 4 years

12 Home Remedies For Athlete’s Foot And Prevention Tips

Potent at-home remedies to help you manage and eliminate this fungal overgrowth.

Medically reviewed by Caroline DuncanCaroline Duncan, MD

Expertise: Psychiatry, Neurology, and Pharmacology

Experience: 4 years

Caroline C. Duncan graduated from the Medical University of South Carolina in May of 2017, where her interests were primarily psychiatric, neurologic, and pharmacologic in nature. She served on the editorial board for the school’s literar. more

Physician is a high-paying career, and American doctors have some of the highest salaries worldwide, with general practitioners earning an average of $185,000 and surgeons earning $306,000 annually, according to MLive Media Group.

Expertise: Psychiatry, Neurology, and Pharmacology

Experience: 4 years

Expertise: Home Remedies

Experience: 3 years

Shaheen holds a postgraduate degree in Human Genetics and Molecular Biology from Bharathiar University. She is a Geneticist with proficiency in Biotechnology, Immunology, Medical Genetics, Biochemistr. more

Expertise: Home Remedies

Experience: 3 years

Shaheen NaserShaheen Naser • Mar 16, 2023

Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection commonly seen in athletes and people who engage in regular physical activity. Painful and itchy, you are at an increased risk of developing athlete’s foot if you wear sweaty socks and don’t air your feet out. While athlete’s foot is a serious health condition that requires medical attention, a few natural remedies can alleviate the symptoms quickly. In this article, we look at athlete’s foot and a few remedies you can try at home!

In This Article

What Is Athlete’s Foot?

Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that affects the skin on the feet. It is contagious and is medically known as tinea pedis. This fungal infection can also spread to the toenails and the hands.
This infection is termed as athlete’s foot because it is mostly seen in athletes. It is often accompanied by the following symptoms.

Symptoms Of Athlete’s Foot

An itchy, burning, and stinging sensation between the toes
Itching or burning sensation on the soles of your feet
Itchy blisters on the feet
Cracking and peeling skin between the toes and on the soles of your feet
Dry skin on the soles and/or sides of the feet
The skin on your feet becomes raw
Discolored, thick, and crumbly toenails
Toenails that pull away from your nail bed

Let us now look at the main causes and risk factors for athlete’s foot.

Causes Of And Risk Factors For Athlete’s Foot

The main cause of athlete’s foot is a fungal infection caused by the growth of tinea fungus on your feet. You can contract it on direct contact with an infected individual or object. Since this fungus thrives in moist and warm environments, it can be commonly found in showers, locker room floors, and around swimming pools.

Although everyone is susceptible to developing athlete’s foot, some people are at an increased risk. Factors that could be held responsible for increasing your risk of developing athlete’s foot are:

Going barefoot to public places like swimming pools and showers
Sharing utensils with an infected person
Wearing tight-fitting shoes
Keeping your feet soaked and covered for long periods
Having sweaty feet
Minor skin or nail injury on your foot

Athlete’s foot can be classified into different types depending on the kind of infection and the area of the foot affected. The three main types of athlete’s foot are discussed below.

Types Of Athlete’s Foot

Interdigital: This type of infection is also known as toe web infection. It usually occurs between the smallest of your toes and might even spread to the soles.

Moccasin: This can result in dry and peeling skin on your foot. It may affect the entire sole and can even spread to the sides of your foot.

Vesicular: This is the least common kind of athlete’s foot. It is usually categorized by a sudden outbreak of fluid-filled blisters under the skin. These blisters usually develop under your feet, but in some cases, they can also appear between your toes, on the heels, or on your feet.

Nobody wants to experience the constant itchiness and pain that usually accompany this condition. And given that it takes its own sweet time to heal, you need to take some immediate measures to address the issue. The following home remedies can help in treating athlete’s foot and speeding your recovery to a great extent.

Home Remedies To Treat Athlete’s Foot

How To Get Rid Of Athlete’s Foot Naturally

1. Apple Cider Vinegar

You Will Need

1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar
2 cups of warm water

What You Have To Do

Take two cups of warm water in a bowl and add half a cup of apple cider vinegar to it.
Soak your feet in this solution for 10 to 15 minutes.
Pat your feet dry.

How Often You Should Do This

You must do this twice daily for best results.

Why This Works

Apple cider vinegar, with its anti-inflammatory properties, can prove to be quite useful in reducing the inflammation and pain. It also helps in destroying the fungal infection responsible for causing athlete’s foot with its antifungal properties (1).

2. Essential Oils

a. Lavender Oil

You Will Need

12 drops of lavender oil
30 mL of any carrier oil (coconut or almond oil)
Water (optional)

What You Have To Do

Add 12 drops of lavender oil to 30 mL of any carrier oil.
Apply this mixture directly to the affected area on your foot and allow it to dry.
Alternatively, you can add the lavender oil mixture to two cups of water and soak your feet in it for 10 to 15 minutes.

How Often You Should Do This

You must do this 2 to 3 times daily.

Why This Works

The antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties of lavender oil help in fighting the fungus that causes athlete’s foot (2), (3).

b. Peppermint Oil

You Will Need

12 drops of peppermint oil
30 mL of any carrier oil (coconut or almond oil)
Water (optional)

What You Have To Do

Mix 12 drops of peppermint oil with 30 mL of any carrier oil.
Apply this mixture to the affected areas.
You can also add some warm water to this mixture and use it as a foot soak.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this three times daily.

Why This Works

Peppermint oil contains menthol, which possesses anti-inflammatory and soothing properties that help reduce pain and inflammation (4). It also has antifungal properties that eliminate the infection-causing fungi (5).

c. Tea Tree Oil

You Will Need

12 drops of tea tree oil
30 mL of any carrier oil (coconut or almond oil)
Water (optional)

What You Have To Do

Add 12 drops of tea tree oil to 30 mL of any carrier oil and mix well.
Apply this mixture to the affected foot and allow it to dry.
You can also add some water to this oil mixture and use it as a foot soak.

How Often You Should Do This

You must do this 2 to 3 times daily.

Why This Works

The antimicrobial properties of tea tree oil help in treating many skin conditions, including athlete’s foot. Tea tree oil possesses anti-inflammatory properties that help in reducing inflammation, swelling, and pain (6), (7).

3. Baking Soda

You Will Need

1 tablespoon of baking soda
Water (as required)

What You Have To Do

Mix a tablespoon of baking soda with a few drops of water to form a thick paste.
Apply this paste to the affected areas and allow it to dry.
Rinse thoroughly and pat your skin dry.

How Often You Should Do This

You must do this at least twice daily.

Why This Works

Baking soda is a natural antiseptic that helps prevent the development of secondary infections in the affected foot (8). It also keeps the area moisture-free, which, in turn, makes it uninhabitable for the fungus responsible for causing the infection (9).

4. Coconut Oil

You Will Need

2-3 drops of coconut oil

What You Have To Do

Apply two to three drops of coconut oil to the affected area.
You can either allow it to be absorbed by your skin or keep it on for 20 minutes and then wash it off with water.

How Often You Should Do This

You can do this 3 to 4 times daily, at regular intervals.

Why This Works

Coconut oil is another amazing remedy for athlete’s foot. Its antifungal properties destroy the tinea pedis fungus, while its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties soothe the affected area (10), (11).

5. Garlic

You Will Need

2 cloves of peeled garlic
2-3 drops of olive oil

What You Have To Do

Take two cloves of peeled garlic and mince them to form a thick paste.
Add two to three drops of olive oil to this paste and mix well.
Apply this paste to the affected areas.
Leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes, after which you can wash it off with water.

How Often You Should Do This

You must do this 1 to 2 times for a few days until you notice an improvement in your condition.

Why This Works

Garlic contains compounds like ajoene and allicin, which impart antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties to it (12), (13), (14). This is why its topical application works wonders in getting rid of athlete’s food and its painful symptoms.

6. Ginger

You Will Need

An inch or two of peeled and cut ginger
1 cup of hot water

What You Have To Do

Add some cut ginger to a cup of water.
Allow it to boil and simmer for 10 to 20 minutes.
Strain and let it cool for a while.
Apply a few drops of this solution to the affected area.

How Often You Should Do This

You must do this 3 to 4 times daily.

Why This Works

Ginger is another herb that can be used to treat athlete’s foot. It exhibits antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties that help to get rid of the inflammation and bad odor associated with the condition (15), (16).

7. Grapefruit Seed Extract

You Will Need

2-3 drops of grapefruit seed extract

What You Have To Do

Apply two to three drops of grapefruit seed extract evenly to the affected area.
Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes and then wash it off with water.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this 2 to 3 times daily.

Why This Works

Grapefruit seed extract possesses excellent antifungal and antimicrobial activities that can help in relieving the symptoms associated with athlete’s foot and fight the underlying infection (17), (18).

8. Jojoba Oil

You Will Need

2-3 drops of jojoba oil

What You Have To Do

Apply a few drops of jojoba oil directly to the affected area.
Leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes, after which you can wash it off with water.
You can also leave the oil on your skin to be absorbed.

How Often You Should Do This

You must do this 2 to 3 times daily.

Why This Works

Jojoba oil is widely known for its powerful anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties (19), (20), (21). These properties fight the fungus responsible for causing the infection and alleviate the symptoms of the infection.

9. Neem Oil

You Will Need

2-3 drops of neem oil

What You Have To Do

Apply two to three drops of neem oil to the affected area.
Leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes and then wash it off with water.

How Often You Should Do This

You must do this once daily.

Why This Works

The potent antifungal properties of neem oil help in the treatment of athlete’s foot (22). Also, its anti-inflammatory properties relieve the inflammation that is often associated with the condition (23).

10. Hydrogen Peroxide

You Will Need

1 tablespoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide
1 tablespoon of water
Cotton pads

What You Have To Do

Mix a tablespoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide with a tablespoon of water.
Dip a cotton pad in this solution and apply it to the affected areas.
Allow it to dry naturally.

How Often You Should Do This

You must do this 2 to 3 times daily.

Why This Works

The antiseptic nature of hydrogen peroxide helps in disinfecting the affected area and prevents secondary microbial infections. Hydrogen peroxide also exhibits antifungal properties that fight the underlying fungal infection responsible for causing athlete’s foot (24).

11. Turmeric

You Will Need

1 teaspoon of turmeric powder
Water (as required)

What You Have To Do

Take a teaspoon of turmeric powder and add a few drops of water to it to make a paste.
Apply the paste to the affected foot.
Leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes and wash it off with water.

How Often You Should Do This

You must do this twice daily.

Why This Works

Turmeric contains a compound called curcumin, which possesses remarkable antifungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties that help treat athlete’s foot (25), (26).

12. Epsom Salt

You Will Need

1 cup of Epsom salt
Water

What You Have To Do

Add a cup of Epsom salt to a large bowl of warm water and allow it to dissolve.
Soak your feet in the solution for 10 to 15 minutes.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this 1 to 2 times daily.

Why This Works

An Epsom salt foot soak is an easy and effective remedy to get rid of athlete’s foot. Epsom salt contains magnesium, which possesses anti-inflammatory properties and helps treat the condition (27), (28).

Avoid wearing closed or tight shoes, especially in hot weather. They can squeeze your feet and make them prone to an infection due to the sweaty environment.

Now that you know how to get rid of the fungal infection, there are a few things you must do to prevent its recurrence. They are as discussed below.

Prevention Tips

Wash your feet with soap and water daily (the temperature of the water should be 60ºC or higher to kill the fungus).
Dry your feet after every wash.
Apply the antifungal powder prescribed by your doctor on your feet daily.
Do not share your shoes, socks, and towels with others.
Wear socks made of breathable fibers like cotton.
Change your socks daily, especially if your feet tend to get sweaty easily.
Alternate between two pairs of shoes. This is to give each pair ample time to dry before it is used again.

Keep your toenails clean and trimmed short because dirty nails can get infected easily. Also, make sure to use sanitized nail clippers.

If left unattended or untreated for too long, athlete’s foot can also lead to the following complications.

What Happens If You Leave Athlete’s Foot Untreated?

Athlete’s foot can cause mild to severe complications if you leave it untreated for too long. They include:

An allergic reaction to the tinea fungus, which may cause blistering.
Development of a secondary bacterial infection, accompanied by swelling and pain in your foot.
The bacterial infection can also spread to your lymph system and cause infections in your lymph nodes and lymph vessels.

Infographic: Athlete’s Foot: When Should You Seek Medical Attention?

Using over-the-counter remedies and performing self-care at home for a week should result in some improvement. However, if you haven’t observed any progress or the condition worsens, contact your doctor immediately. It is critical to seek treatment as soon as possible before the infection spreads to the rest of your foot or other regions of your body, including your groin or toenails. Check out the infographic below to learn more about seeking medical attention for an athlete’s foot.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

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Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that is mainly seen in athletes. Wearing sweaty socks and engaging in regular physical activity may increase the risk of athlete’s foot. Natural remedies like apple cider vinegar, baking soda, essential oils, Epsom salt, turmeric, neem oil, ginger, coconut oil, and grapefruit seed extract effectively manage athlete’s foot. In addition, garlic and hydrogen peroxide alleviate the symptoms of this condition. Washing your feet with soap and water regularly, drying the feet, and using anti-fungal powders and socks made with breathable fiber reduces the risk of athlete’s foot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is athlete’s foot contagious?

Yes, athlete’s foot is highly contagious. Direct contact with infected individuals or objects can cause it to spread.

What kills the fungus on the feet?

You can kill the fungus by washing your feet daily with soap and hot water (60ºC or higher). You can also use topical antifungal medications or any of the above remedies to get rid of the fungus naturally.

How long does it take to get rid of athlete’s foot?

Depending on the course of treatment, it can take anywhere from 1 to 4 weeks to heal completely. You will start noticing a positive change in your condition in a week.

Should I wear socks to bed with athlete’s foot?

You may want to wear socks if you share a bed with someone to reduce the risk of transmitting the fungus to them.

Does rubbing alcohol cure athlete’s foot?

Anecdotal evidence suggests that soaking the affected foot in a solution made of rubbing alcohol and water or applying rubbing alcohol directly to the area can help relieve the symptoms and facilitate healing.

How do you disinfect shoes from athlete’s foot?

You can use a UV shoe sanitizer to disinfect shoes from the fungus that causes athlete’s foot. Other alternatives include washing the shoes in hot water with an antifungal disinfectant and keeping them under direct sunlight to dry properly.

Does baby powder help with athlete’s foot?

There is no evidence to suggest that baby powder can help with athlete’s foot beyond keeping the feet dry for a brief period of time.

Key Takeaways

Itchy blisters and cracking skin between the toenails are some symptoms of athlete’s foot.
Going barefoot in swimming pools and having sweaty feet can cause athlete’s foot.
Applying coconut oil, ginger, baking soda, or hydrogen peroxide may help manage it.
Washing feet frequently, applying anti-fungal powder, and wearing breathable and clean socks help prevent athlete’s foot.

Home Remedies for Athlete’s Foot

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You may be able to treat athlete’s foot with over-the-counter products and items in your medicine cabinet, including certain oils and talcum powder.

Athlete’s foot, also known as tinea pedis, is a fungal skin infection that typically starts between the toes. It causes a scaly, itchy rash that may have painful or burning sensations. In some cases, people may also experience ulcers or blisters, which can be very painful.

Fortunately, athlete’s foot can be extremely receptive to home treatment. Here are 10 home treatments that are known to be effective.

There are a number of over-the-counter (OTC) treatments available for athlete’s foot. These can come as powders, sprays, ointments, and lotions. Many cases of athlete’s foot respond well to OTC treatments and may never require other options.

You can apply these treatments directly to the affected area and use them for at least 1 week after symptoms resolve to prevent the infection from immediately returning.

Hydrogen peroxide can effectively kill the fungus on the surface level of the foot, as well as any surface bacteria that could cause an infection.

Pour hydrogen peroxide directly onto the affected area. Note that it may sting, and it should bubble, especially if you have open wounds. Do this twice daily until the infection subsides.

Tea tree oil has antifungal and antibacterial properties, which is part of the reason it’s commonly used to treat many fungal infections (including both ringworm and candidiasis).

One 2002 study found that applying tea tree oil daily could treat both the symptoms of athlete’s foot and the fungus that causes it within a few weeks.

To treat athlete’s foot, mix a carrier oil like warm coconut oil with tea tree oil for a concentration of 25 to 50 percent tea tree oil. Apply it to the affected area two times a day.

Both neem oil and neem leaf extracts have incredible antifungal capabilities that can help fight athlete’s foot. You can apply the neem oil (or extract) directly to the affected area two to three times a day, massaging it into the skin. This can also be helpful for treating infections that develop under the toenails.

Much like hydrogen peroxide, many families will have rubbing alcohol on hand to clean cuts. Like hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol can help kill off the fungus that’s on the surface level of the skin.

You can apply it directly to the affected area or soak your feet in a footbath of 70 percent rubbing alcohol and 30 percent water for 30 minutes.

Garlic may have a strong scent, but it can be an effective topical treatment for athlete’s foot. One older study even found that a derivative of garlic, alone, resulted in a complete cure in 79 percent of participants after just 7 days.

To use garlic to treat athlete’s foot, crush four to five cloves of garlic. Once smashed, rub them over the affected area. Do this twice daily.

Sea salt has strong antibacterial and antifungal properties , making it a great natural treatment for athlete’s foot and any complications it could cause. It may actually inhibit the growth and spread of athlete’s foot.

Some treatments involve mixing sea salt with other natural treatments, like vinegar, to make a sort of paste. The most effective way to use this treatment may be to dissolve a cup of sea salt into a warm foot bath. Soak your feet for at least 20 minutes. Dry your feet thoroughly when you’re finished soaking.

Talcum powder, corn starch, or baby powder work to treat athlete’s foot by keeping the affected area dry and clean. This makes it difficult for the fungus to thrive and spread by keeping sweat and moisture under control.

To use this treatment, apply talcum powder (or antifungal powder) directly to the dried, affected area every time before putting on socks. Be careful not to inhale talcum powder.

Not only can Vicks VapoRub reduce symptoms from a bad cough, it can help treat athlete’s foot. This may be because of its use of eucalyptus oil and menthol, both of which have antifungal properties

Rub Vicks on the affected area every night, massaging it into the foot. Do this every night for at least a month, or up until a week after the infection has disappeared.

It’s important to prevent athlete’s foot. Fungus can grow in dark, moist areas, making your feet an ideal place for athlete’s feet to develop. If you have athlete’s foot (or even if you just want to prevent it), keep your feet as dry and clean as possible.

Change your socks regularly. As soon as you’re done working out, clean your feet and put on a fresh pair of socks. Dry the space between your toes. Don’t go barefoot in public pool or gym areas.

You should also use shoes that are well ventilated and allow your feet to breathe to help athlete’s foot resolve more quickly.

If untreated, athlete’s foot can result in a bacterial infection if skin is broken. This can happen due to scratching or when blisters pop or ulcers become infected. Any type of infection can be very serious and requires prompt treatment.

Athlete’s foot is also very contagious. It can easily spread to your hands, especially if you’re scratching at the affected area. This fungus can also infect the area under your nails, which can be more difficult to treat, or the groin area.

If you think you have athlete’s foot and it hasn’t subsided after a week of home treatment, make an appointment to see your doctor. You may need prescription antifungals (either oral or topical) to get rid of the infection.

You should also make an appointment to see your doctor if you have athlete’s foot and diabetes. This is especially true if you have signs of a secondary bacterial infection, which can be more dangerous in those with diabetes due to their nerve damage.

Signs of infection include redness, pus, swelling, drainage, and fever. If you have diabetes, you may not feel pain in your feet due to nerve damage.

Your doctor will likely be able to diagnose athlete’s foot just by looking at it.

Because athlete’s foot is contagious, make sure you avoid scratching or touching the area except when treating the affected area.

Wash your hands before and after applying treatment. This can help prevent the foot from developing a bacterial infection and prevent the fungal infection from spreading to other parts of your body.

Last medically reviewed on October 25, 2019

Athlete’s Foot (Tinea Pedis)

Athlete’s foot is a contagious fungal infection that causes different itchy skin issues on your feet. An itchy, stinging, burning rash forms on infected skin. Athlete’s foot treatment can stop the fungus from spreading and clear it up.

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Overview

Athlete’s foot on the bottoms of toes, presenting as red, cracked skin.

What is 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.

Symptoms and Causes

What are the symptoms of athlete’s foot?

Symptoms of athlete’s foot include:

Cracked and peeling skin.
Itchy skin.
A skin rash.
A burning sensation.

What are the different types of athlete’s foot?

Your symptoms depend on the type of athlete’s foot that you have.

Toe web infection: A toe web infection is the most common type of athlete’s foot. It typically affects the skin between your fourth toe (ring toe) and fifth toe (pinkie toe). Your skin may change color, crack, peel or flake.
Moccasin-type infection: A moccasin-type infection affects the bottoms of your feet, your heels and the edges of your feet. Your feet may be sore for a few days. Then, the skin on the bottoms of your feet thickens and cracks. In rare cases, your toenails may get infected. They can thicken, break into small pieces and fall out.
Vesicular-type infection: A vesicular-type infection typically affects the bottoms of your feet, but it may appear anywhere on your feet. A vesicular-type infection features bumps or fluid-filled blisters (vesicles).
Ulcerative infection: An ulcerative infection is the rarest type of athlete’s foot. Open sores (ulcers) often appear between the toes. Open sores may also appear on the bottoms of your feet.

What causes athlete’s foot?

Several different species of fungi cause athlete’s foot.

It commonly spreads through skin-to-skin contact or contact with a flake of skin. It spreads in areas used by large groups of people, like locker rooms, swimming pools and saunas.

It can also spread through contact with an infected surface. You can get athlete’s foot by sharing towels, socks or shoes with someone who has athlete’s foot.

Is athlete’s foot contagious?

Athlete’s foot is contagious. It’s a fungus that grows on or in your skin. Fungi (plural form of fungus) need warm temperatures and moisture to grow. People often wear socks and tight shoes every day, which keep their feet warm and moist. This is the perfect environment for athlete’s foot to grow.

Diagnosis and Tests

How is athlete’s foot diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider can typically diagnose athlete’s foot by examining your feet and symptoms.

What tests will be done to diagnose athlete’s foot?

In some cases, your healthcare provider may remove a small piece of skin (biopsy) and test it in a lab. Several drops of a potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution dissolve the skin cells so only fungal cells are visible.

Management and Treatment

How do I treat athlete’s foot?

Over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription antifungal creams, ointments, gels, sprays or powders effectively treat athlete’s foot. These products contain clotrimazole, miconazole, tolnaftate or terbinafine.

Some prescription antifungal medications for athlete’s foot are pills. These pills contain fluconazole, itraconazole or terbinafine.

It’s important to finish your full course of medicine. If you stop too soon, your athlete’s foot may come back and be harder to treat.

How do I manage my athlete’s foot symptoms?

Keep your feet dry, clean and cool. If possible, don’t wear socks or shoes. Avoid scratching your feet. Scratching your feet may cause the fungus to spread to other parts of your body.

How soon after treatment will I feel better?

With proper diagnosis and treatment, your athlete’s foot should go away in one to eight weeks. Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions.

It’s important to finish your full course of medicine. During the early healing stages, itchiness and irritation will fade. Even if your symptoms go away, you may still have athlete’s foot. If you don’t finish your full course of medicine, your athlete’s foot can come back and be harder to treat.

What will happen if athlete’s foot is left untreated?

Athlete’s foot can spread across the bottom of your foot. This is moccasin athlete’s foot. In feet with moccasin athlete’s foot, the skin on the bottoms, heels and edges of your feet are dry, itchy and scaly.

In severe cases of athlete’s foot, you may develop fluid-filled blisters or open sores. Blisters often appear on the bottoms of your feet, but they may develop anywhere on your feet. Open sores often appear between your toes, but they may appear on the bottoms of your feet. Your feet may also smell bad.

Athlete’s foot doesn’t typically go away on its own. If it’s left untreated, it can spread to other areas of your body, including your:

Nails: Fungal nail infections can be more difficult to treat. They’re often more resistant to many treatments.
Hands: A similar fungal infection can spread to your hands. This happens when you scratch your infected feet or use the same towel to dry off your infected feet and hands.
Groin: The same fungus that causes athlete’s foot can also spread to your groin. It’s a condition called jock itch. The fungus typically spreads from your feet to your groin after using a towel to dry off after bathing or swimming.

Prevention

How can I reduce my risk of athlete’s foot?

There are many ways to reduce your risk of getting athlete’s foot:

Thoroughly wash your feet and the skin between your toes with antibacterial soap.
Dry your feet and the spaces between your toes after swimming or bathing.
Apply talcum powder or antifungal powder to your feet to absorb moisture.
Put on your socks before your underwear to prevent the fungus from spreading to your groin.
Wear shoes or sandals that allow your feet to get air.
Avoid wearing rubber or synthetic shoes for long periods.
Allow your shoes to dry out for at least 24 hours between uses.
Clean your shoes with disinfecting sprays or wipes.
Wear cotton or wool socks that absorb moisture or socks made out of synthetic materials that wick away moisture.
Wear sandals or flip-flops in communal locker rooms, pools, saunas or showers.
Wash your socks, towels and bedding in hot water.

Outlook / Prognosis

What can I expect if I have athlete’s foot?

With proper treatment, the outlook for people with athlete’s foot is good. Be sure to follow your healthcare provider’s instructions so you get rid of your athlete’s foot quickly and don’t pass it on to anyone else.

Living With

When should I see my healthcare provider?

Call your healthcare provider if your athlete’s foot:

Doesn’t improve or go away with treatment.
Looks infected (red, purple, gray or white skin; irritation and swelling).
Spreads to other areas of your body.

What questions should I ask my doctor?

How did I get athlete’s foot?
How long is athlete’s foot contagious?
Should I avoid going to the gym, public pool, sauna or other public places?
What steps can I take to prevent athlete’s foot from spreading to other parts of my body?
What steps can I take to prevent athlete’s foot from spreading to other people?
What’s the best treatment for athlete’s foot?
Should I avoid any medications or treatments?
What steps can I take to keep from getting athlete’s foot again?
Should I look out for signs of complications?

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Athlete’s foot is an unpleasant condition. It’s itchy and annoying. It can also sting or burn and smell bad. However, antifungal medications or home remedies will help you get rid of athlete’s foot. Remember, you shouldn’t scratch your athlete’s foot, as it can spread to other parts of your body. It’s important to follow your healthcare provider’s treatment plan. If you don’t finish your full course of medicine, athlete’s foot can come back. Ask your healthcare provider how you can keep athlete’s foot from spreading to other parts of your body or other people.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 12/01/2021.

References

Athlete’s foot: Overview. 2015 Jan 14 [Updated 2018 Jun 14]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279549/. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279549/) Accessed 12/1/2021.
InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006-.
Ledet JJ, Elewski BE, Gupta AK. Fungal and Yeast Infections. In: Kelly A, Taylor SC, Lim HW, Serrano A, eds. Taylor and Kelly’s Dermatology for Skin of Color. 2nd ed. McGraw Hill.
Medical Mycology. In: Riedel S, Hobden JA, Miller S, Morse SA, et al, eds. Jawetz, Melnick, & Adelberg’s Medical Microbiology. 28th ed. McGraw Hill.
Usatine RP, Reppa C. Tinea Pedis. In: Usatine RP, Smith MA, Mayeaux, Jr. EJ, Chumley HS, eds. The Color Atlas and Synopsis of Family Medicine. 3rd ed. McGraw Hill.
Yancey KB, Lawley TJ. Approach to the Patient with a Skin Disorder. In: Jameson J, Fauci AS, Kasper DL, et al, eds. Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine. 20th ed. McGraw Hill.

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