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Athlete's foot symptoms: What are the early signs of athlete's foot?

Medically reviewed by Marquissa Beverly, DPM, MHA
Podiatrist
Updated Jun 10, 2024  •  Published May 17, 2023
Fact Checked
In this article:

Overview: What does athlete's foot feel and look like?

Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection of the skin on the foot. The infection mainly affects the skin in the toe web spaces and on the sides and bottoms of the feet. It can sometimes involve the heels, the top of the foot, or spread to the toenails. 

Also called tinea pedis, athlete’s foot starts when the spores of foot-infecting fungi called dermatophytes come in contact with the skin on the foot. In places where the foot’s skin provides a warm and moist environment, the spores germinate into a growing, living fungus. Skin infected by dermatophytes will be red, itchy, and scaly. As the infection worsens, itching can evolve into something more like burning or stinging. The skin may peel, crack, blister, or get spongy. The foot may smell a lot worse. In more severe cases, people might get blisters or open sores on the foot that may become painful or even infected with bacteria.

Key takeaways:

  • Athlete's foot is a common health condition that can affect anyone regardless of age, sex, race, or ethnicity. 

  • Early signs of athlete's foot include a red, itchy, and often scaly rash between the toes, on the sides of the feet, or on the soles of the feet.

  • Athlete’s foot typically does not require immediate medical attention.

  • Athlete's foot is caused by ringworm fungus. You may be at risk for developing athlete's foot symptoms if you wear socks and shoes that do not allow for much air circulation for a prolonged period, sweat a lot, live in a hot or humid environment, or if your feet are wet for prolonged periods. Owning pets is another risk factor since household pets may have a contagious fungal skin infection.

  • Athlete's foot is usually self-diagnosable but in some cases may require a medical diagnosis as it may mimic other skin conditions.

  • Athlete's foot generally requires treatment as it rarely clears on its own. Athlete's foot symptoms typically resolve with treatment within two to four weeks.

  • Treatment of athlete's foot may include topical or oral antifungal medications. Read more about athlete's foot treatments.

  • Untreated athlete's foot could result in complications like fungal infections on other parts of the body, bacterial infections of the skin, inflammation, and bone infections, though many of these complications are rare. In people with a weak or suppressed immune system, athlete’s foot could develop into fungal infections inside the body and the body’s organs.

  • Use coupons for athlete's foot treatments like Lotrimin AF (clotrimazole), Lamisil AT (terbinafine), and Tinactin (tolnaftate) to save up to 80%.

What are the early signs of athlete's foot?

An athlete’s foot infection typically begins in the clefts of the toes, the soles, or the side of the foot. Most people will first notice an itch and/or redness to the affected area, though fine white scales over the affected area are also an early sign of athlete’s foot especially if foot lotions do not improve the skin’s appearance. The foot might smell worse than usual. 

Other athlete's foot symptoms

The most common symptoms of athlete’s foot include:

  • Skin redness on the foot

  • Fine, white, and silvery scales on the affected skin

  • Itching

  • Bad or worsened foot odor

  • Burning

  • Stinging

  • Cracks or fissures, particularly between the toes or on the soles of the feet

  • Peeling skin

  • Dry skin (on the soles of the feet)

  • Maceration (spongy skin, like when skin is wet for too long)

In some cases, symptoms may be slightly more severe and involve:

  • Blisters

  • Open sores

  • Infected and discolored toenails

Athlete's foot vs. eczema symptoms

Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a chronic condition in which areas of the skin become dry, red, and itchy. It can occur anywhere on the body but usually affects the backs of the knees, the face, hands, feet, or wrists. It is not a skin infection like athlete’s foot, but an overreaction to certain substances that’s very similar to an allergic reaction. Because eczema and athlete’s foot look and feel so much alike, someone with eczema may confuse an athlete’s foot infection with an eczema flare-up. There are some crucial differences, but the only way to tell for sure is to have a doctor look at the foot.

Athlete's foot Eczema
Shared symptoms
  • Skin rash or redness
  • Dry skin
  • Itchy skin
  • Skin cracks
Unique symptoms
  • Occurs only on the foot
  • The affected skin does not correspond to the pattern of the footwear being worn
  • The area between the toes is usually affected
  • Burning
  • Stinging
  • Silvery, white scales on the skin
  • Bad foot odor
  • Peeling skin
  • Blisters
  • Ulcers
  • Discolored toenails
  • Can occur anywhere on the body
  • When the foot is involved, the affected area follows the pattern of the footwear being worn
  • The area between the toes is not affected
  • Small bumps on the affected area

RELATED: Eczema treatments and medications

Types of athlete's foot: How can I tell which one I have?

Healthcare providers distinguish between three types of athlete’s foot based on what parts of the foot are affected and how bad the infection is:

  • Interdigital. Athlete’s foot is the most common type of athlete’s foot. The infection mainly involves the areas between the toes.

  • Plantar. Athlete’s foot is also called “moccasin feet,” which explains pretty much how it affects the foot. Redness and white scales cover the soles, sides, and back of the foot like shoes.

  • Vesiculobullous. Athlete’s foot with this presentation is uncommon and involves the formation of blisters (vesicles), pus-filled blisters, or fluid-filled blisters (bullae) on the soles of the feet.

Both interdigital athlete’s foot and moccasin feet are common types of tinea pedis infections. Most cases can be treated at home. Vesiculobullous infections should be seen by a healthcare professional because of the risk of other skin infections.

When to see a doctor for athlete's foot symptoms

Most cases of athlete’s foot can be successfully treated at home using nonprescription antifungal creams, powders, or sprays. It’s time to see a doctor for athlete’s foot if:

  • The infection does not clear up after two to four weeks of over-the-counter antifungal treatment

  • The affected area develops blisters or sores

  • There are any signs of a bacterial infection such as skin warmth, swelling, or red streaks

  • The fungal infection spreads to other parts of your body

Anyone with a weak immune system or taking immune-suppressing drugs should see a doctor at any sign of an infection—that includes athlete’s foot. 

Healthcare providers diagnose athlete’s foot by examining the appearance of the skin and often by examining a skin scraping under a microscope. The sample will be prepared with a solution of potassium hydroxide (KOH) to break down everything but the fungus. In the microscope, the clinician will look for the telltale filaments or hyphae of the fungus that grow in the skin’s tissues. The presence of these filaments is enough to definitively diagnose a tinea infection of the foot. 

Complications of athlete's foot

Athlete’s foot can occasionally resolve on its own but don’t expect it to. It should be treated. Left untreated, the fungus can infect other parts of your body. It’s not uncommon for athlete’s foot to spread to the toenails (tinea unguium), the groin (tinea cruris), or the hands (tinea manuum). The groin is vulnerable because people put on their underwear by first passing them over their bare feet. The hands are vulnerable because people are touching their infected feet as well as the shoes and socks they wear over their infected feet.

Other possible but less likely complications of athlete’s foot include:

  • Bacterial skin infections 

  • Inflammation

  • Osteomyelitis (bone infections)

People who have a weakened immune system are at risk of developing a systemic fungal infection, that is, a fungal infection inside the body.

How to treat athlete's foot symptoms

Athlete’s foot should be treated. Not only is it uncomfortable, it can spread to other parts of the body or cause complications. Just as important, the fungal infection is contagious and can spread to other people including loved ones.

Most people can treat their athlete’s foot infection using OTC topical antifungals such as terbinafine, clotrimazole, miconazole, or tolnaftate. These are widely available as creams, sprays, gels, or powders in both brand-name and generic versions. Some home remedies may work, but switch to antifungal medications if the infection doesn’t clear up in two to four weeks.

If topical treatment does not work, a healthcare provider may prescribe oral antifungal drugs such as terbinafine, itraconazole, or fluconazole. Oral antifungals may also be necessary in cases where the heel or top of the foot is involved or if there are blisters. 

RELATED: 15 home remedies for toenail fungus

Signs athlete's foot is getting better

Over-the-counter antifungal medications typically relieve symptoms within a few days. Redness, itching, and other symptoms often clear up, sometimes by the next day for mild infections. That’s a good sign the medication is working. However, the infection is not over when the medicine relieves all the symptoms. It will usually take one or two weeks of treatment for the infection to clear up even if there are no symptoms. Antifungals work by preventing the fungus from growing, but they don’t kill the fungus. The fungus is naturally eliminated as the skin grows and flakes away, taking the fungus away with it. For this reason, apply the medicine or take the pills for the full duration as instructed. That’s the only way to know the infection is fully gone.

Most importantly, take steps to prevent reinfection

After a bout of athlete’s foot, you may not want to go through all that itchiness and mess again. It’s important to remember that athlete’s foot thrives in a moist environment, so keeping feet dry is the most effective way to prevent an infection. A few tips can help prevent reinfection:

  • Keep feet clean and dry

  • Take special care to dry the toes especially within the web spaces after showering, bathing, or getting out of a swimming pool

  • Use talc, antiseptic powder, or antifungal powder if your feet regularly get wet or sweaty—again, take extra care to powder between the toes

  • Disinfect shoes with disinfecting spray regularly

  • Wear cotton socks to absorb moisture from your feet

  • Dust socks and shoes with talc to help keep feet dry

  • Don’t wear the same socks every day

  • Wash your socks

  • Try not to wear shoes all day long; instead, take your shoes off at home to allow air to dry your feet

  • Wear sandals, flip-flops, or some other kind of footwear in communal showers, locker rooms, public pools, and other public places

FAQs about athlete's foot symptoms

Does athlete's foot hurt more at night?

Itching and burning due to athlete’s foot may get worse at night. To help reduce the discomfort, it might help to keep blankets or covers off of the feet. 

Does athlete's foot hurt when you walk?

The hurt and pain of athlete’s foot may make walking harder to bear. Blisters or ulcers due to athlete’s foot could make walking torturous. Wear shoes that are loose-fitting around the toes. Sandals and flip-flops might help reduce the pain when walking as they reduce pressure to the toes. Make sure socks aren’t tight.

Can athlete's foot cause sharp pain?

Athlete’s foot pain tends to be low-grade and steady. Most people describe it as burning or stinging. The pain may worsen depending on what a person is doing but does not have sudden spikes in intensity unless there are open sores.

What’s next? Additional resources for people with athlete's foot symptoms

Test and diagnostics

Treatments

Scientific studies and clinical trials

Medically reviewed by Marquissa Beverly, DPM, MHA
Podiatrist

Marquissa Beverly, DPM, MHA, graduated from Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine. She completed her three-year surgical training of the foot and ankle at South Miami Hospital. Dr. Beverly has 12 years of clinical and surgical experience in the lower extremity. She lives in the Tampa Bay area with her family, where she works in private practice. Her passion is patient advocacy through education so that people may be active participants in their own health care. As a medical writer and reviewer, Dr. Beverly feels this allows her to reach more people to help them live healthier lives.

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