Athlete's foot
What is athlete’s foot?
Athlete’s foot is a common fungal rash, usually causing itching and irritation. It often shows up as damp, peeling skin between the toes or dry, flaky skin on the bottoms and sides of the feet. Cracks between the toes, called fissures, can be painful. The same fungus can also infect toenails, making them yellow and thick.
Why do I have athlete’s foot?
Athlete’s foot is usually picked up in communal showers or locker rooms, like at pools, gyms, or dorms (I got it my first year in college). It’s more common with tight-fitting or non-breathable shoes, sweaty feet, and humid environments.
How do I fix athlete’s foot?
Athlete’s foot usually gets better with over-the-counter treatments, though it can take a few weeks and may take a combination of treatments:
1. Use an antifungal cream (first-line treatment).
Apply a thin layer twice a day.
“-afine” creams (usually stronger, more expensive): terbinafine, butenafine.
“-azole” creams (cheaper, still effective): clotrimazole, miconazole.
Tip: Start with an “-azole.” If it’s stubborn, try an “-afine.”
2. If it’s itchy, add a mild steroid ointment.
Apply hydrocortisone ointment after the antifungal cream, twice daily.
Stop the steroid once itching is gone.
⚠️ Never use steroid creams alone—this can make athlete’s foot worse.
⚠️ WARNING: Overuse of topical steroids like hydrocortisone can cause skin thinning, stretch marks, and easy bleeding or bruising.
3. Keep the skin dry.
Use antifungal powders if you sweat a lot or live in a humid place.
Clinical-strength antiperspirant can also help (see my Sweating page).
4. Try vinegar soaks.
Helps clear fungus and bacteria while healing broken or cracked skin.
5. For deep cracks (fissures) on the feet, use super glue.
After pushing the fissure closed, run super glue along the length of the fissure - this helps the skin stay closed long enough to heal together. Liquid bandage also helps (some have lidocaine to numb the pain).
6. Wear flip-flops as much as possible to keep the feet dry.
7. Consider combination treatments.
Whitfield’s ointment (antifungal + mild acid) both kills fungus and peels off dry skin.
How do I keep athlete’s foot from coming back?
After clearing athlete’s foot, these steps help prevent it from returning:
Wash your feet daily with mild soap and water.
Dry thoroughly, especially between the toes.
Apply a thin layer of antifungal cream (including around toenails) on weekends.
Wear cotton socks with shoes.
Rotate shoes daily (don’t wear the same pair two days in a row).
Treat shoes with antifungal spray or powder every other week.
Wear flip-flops in public locker rooms, showers, or pools.
Avoid pedicures.
What if my athlete’s foot isn’t getting better?
Most people improve with the steps above. If your athlete’s foot clears but your skin stays dry, see my Dry Feet page. Other rashes, like eczema or bacterial infections, can look similar. If over-the-counter treatments don’t work or the athlete’s foot keeps coming back, see a board-certified dermatologist. Prescription creams or a short course of oral antifungal medication often work very well. If you are in or near Utah, see one of my excellent colleagues at the University of Utah or me virtually with Honeydew.
DISCLAIMER
The statements expressed and content of this website are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Readers should seek their own professional counsel for any medical condition or before starting or altering any treatment, exercise, or dietary plan. Please see our full disclaimer here.