Athlete’s foot: Causes, prevention, and treatment—The FamilyHealth Guide - Harvard Health (2024)

FAQs

What is the root cause of athlete's foot? ›

Athlete's foot is caused by the same type of fungi (dermatophytes) that cause ringworm and jock itch. Damp socks and shoes and warm, humid conditions favor the organisms' growth.

After washing and drying your feet, apply an antifungal product. The antifungal terbinafine (Lamisil AT) has been shown to be very effective. Another option is clotrimazole (Lotrimin AF). You may need to experiment to find the product and formulation — ointment, gel, cream, lotion, powder or spray — that work for you.

CARD9 deficiency is a rare disorder of the immune system caused by changes (mutations) in the gene called caspase recruitment domain family member 9 (CARD9). CARD9 deficiency leads to increased susceptibility to certain fungal infections.

Sugar feeds any sort of yeasty fungus, and that's what athlete's foot is. So if you cut out the sugar, you'll cut out one bit of sustenance to the gunk growing between your toes.

Pine tar soap for athlete's foot is known to have anti-fungal properties, so if you wash with it regularly, it may be powerful enough to eliminate the fungus on the skin's surface before it has a chance to infiltrate a sore or a crack in the skin.

Although there are prescription topical creams for treating fungal infections, certain foods can also help alleviate symptoms. Garlic, cayenne pepper, yogurt, cranberries, and high fiber foods all can help treat infection. Opt for foods high in fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and zinc.

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.

Most cases of athlete's foot can be cured with over-the-counter antifungal products and basic good hygiene.

Does hydrogen peroxide help athletes foot? ›

It may sound like a dangerous chemical, but hydrogen peroxide is an effective home remedy for treating athlete's foot. The chemical works by killing all surface bacteria and funguses on the skin.

For athlete's foot

Athlete's foot often burns and itches. For mild forms of this condition, a vinegar soak might work well. The antifungal properties also make vinegar soaks a good idea for people with toenail fungus. Soak your feet for 10 to 15 minutes daily in a vinegar bath until the infection subsides.

Rubbing alcohol can also kill the fungus that causes athlete's foot. Apply it directly to the affected area or make a foot soak of 70% rubbing alcohol and 30% water and soak feet for 30 minutes daily.

Vicks VapoRub

Vicks VapoRub is a topical ointment. Although designed for cough suppression, its active ingredients (camphor and eucalyptus oil) may help treat toenail fungus.

Since the tinea fungus is a type of yeast, it's wise to limit or eliminate the amount of sugar you eat. Avoid alcohol, baked goods, candy, dried fruit, and fruit juice. According to research conducted by the University of Minnesota Medical School, the fungus responsible for athlete's foot can suppress immune response.

Vitamin D supplements can be taken to keep you healthy and you can also increase your consumption of fish, dairy and eggs. Next up: a fungal infection that begins between the toes.

A research review in 2017 also found that a vitamin D deficiency may weaken the body's immune response, making it more likely to develop infections, including fungal infections.

A diabetic person has a higher concentration of blood sugar, which makes their perspiration sweeter. This encourages the growth of fungus, leading to athlete's foot. Neuropathy is a severe complication of diabetes. Neuropathy means that the nerves are damaged.

Wearing socks to bed can help prevent transmission of the fungus. Even if you avoid contact, your partner can still develop athlete's foot if you walk around the house barefoot. The fungus can attach itself to floors when you walk or stand on them.

Yogurt, which is generally obtained due to the Lactobacillus bacteria, turns out to be a hero in shielding the foot from the athlete's infection. The good bacteria in fresh yogurt not only kills the fungus but also soothes the dry, irritated inflamed skin.

What kills athlete's foot fungus in shower? ›

A simple and easy fix at home is to “sanitize shower bases with a potential disinfectant like bleach. It kills spores of fungi,” Tierno says. Try a diluted bleach solution to kill off any potential threats.

Here's what doctor Green suggests: "You can take wadded up newspaper or paper towels and spray them down with Lysol and stuff them in the shoes and just leave them there overnight. That'll kill the fungus in there. It'll also kill other bacteria.

To make a foot soak, mix about a half cup of baking soda in a large bucket or basin of warm water. Soak feet for 15 to 20 minutes, twice a day. When done, dry the feet thoroughly but do not rinse.

You can even use Epsom salt baths to relieve a number of foot complaints and conditions, including: Athlete's Foot: While Epsom salts don't kill the fungus that causes athlete's foot, it can help draw the moisture out. This makes the environment much less inviting for fungus.

The fungi thrive in closed, warm, moist environments and feed on keratin, a protein found in hair, nails, and skin. Rarely, athlete's foot can be caused by non-dermatophytes like yeast (candida).

The fungus thrives in warm, moist areas. Your risk for getting athlete's foot increases if you: Wear closed shoes, especially if they are plastic-lined. Keep your feet wet for long periods.

Fungus-ridden feet may crack, peel, and look dry. But you'll want to avoid using moisturizing creams or petroleum jelly on your feet, since these products trap moisture and can actually promote fungus growth, says Dr. Weiner. Stick with antifungal creams.

Your health care provider may prescribe an antifungal cream, such as efinaconazole (Jublia) and tavaborole (Kerydin). You rub this product into your infected nails after soaking. These creams may work better if you first thin the nails.

Hydrogen peroxide is an antiseptic that isn't meant for killing toenail fungus. This medication is for treating cuts, burns and scrapes. But according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), hydrogen peroxide can kill some types of fungi, such as yeasts and moulds.

Miconazole is used to treat skin infections such as athlete's foot, jock itch, ringworm, and other fungal skin infections (candidiasis).

Will wearing socks prevent spreading athlete's foot? ›

Perpetually damp areas like locker rooms, bathroom floors, showers, and swimming pools are prime breeding grounds for the fungi. They can also live in socks, shoes, and towels, all of which have a tendency to remain moist. Someone with athlete's foot should never share shoes or socks as the infection can spread easily.

Trying a different antifungal cream may also be helpful. Some studies have reported that products containing terbinafine (Lamisil) were more effective than those with clotrimazole (Lotrimin) and similar medications. Prescription oral medications may be required to treat more severe cases.

Imbued with antifungal properties, baking soda provides relief from many microbial strains that infect the skin and nails. While thymus essential oil helps in inhibiting further fungal growth and absorbs unpleasant foot odour, ACV remedies the itchiness and burning sensation in the affected skin.

Among the most effective of these would be the apple cider vinegar soak, which you can make by adding 1 part apple cider vinegar to 4 parts warm water. Then just soak your feet for up to 20 minutes, once a day until the issue is resolved.

If you have a fungal (i.e. Athlete's foot or fungal toenails), a bacterial (which causes smelly feet), or viral (i.e. warts) infection, try to reschedule your appointment. If you cannot, let one of the pedicurists know so that they can take appropriate steps to protect other people's feet.

Treatment of athlete's foot

If the area is not raw, surgical spirits or witch hazel can be applied to help reduce moisture between the toes.

A tea tree oil cream, applied twice daily for one month, has been shown to be effective in relieving symptoms of athlete's foot.

Whether you're looking to ward off pesky athlete's foot or simply looking forward to a relaxing night in, an apple cider vinegar foot soak is an essential way to keep your feet at their best. This remedy has many benefits including fighting off bacteria and fungus that cause odors.

You can best treat the Athlete's foot with anti-fungal creams and sprays. But you can also use a hand sanitizer to clean the affected area as hand sanitizers contain isopropyl alcohol, which is effective on fungus, bacteria, and viruses.

Mild cases of athlete's foot may benefit from a vinegar based solution foot soak, especially if toenails have become infected as well. To make a foot bath solution, use 1-part vinegar to 2 parts water. Before submerging feet into the solution, they should be thoroughly washed with soap and water.

Can I put baking soda directly on my feet? ›

Baking soda is a popular at-home treatment for the removal of dead skin from the feet. But some dermatologists warn that baking soda can be irritating, cause redness, and dry out the skin further. That's because it may disrupt the skin's natural pH balance.

There's no evidence that putting Vicks VapoRub on your feet will relieve a cold, congestion, or cough. But it might help moisturize your heels and relieve toenail fungus.

Hydrogen peroxide for nails

This usually happens because of nail fungus, which can be of different types. Since hydrogen peroxide has oxidative power, it destroys the fungus found on the nails by increasing the oxygen levels, bringing them back to their normal healthy state, and thereby, normal colour.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) , hydrogen peroxide kills yeasts, fungi, bacteria, viruses, and mold spores.

Most cases of athlete's foot can be cured with over-the-counter antifungal products and basic good hygiene.

If left untreated, it can spread to a nail and cause a fungal nail infection. The infection can spread to other areas of skin, such as the hands, but that rarely happens. Very rarely, and only in severe cases of athlete's foot, it can also lead to a bacterial infection.

How Long Is Athlete's Foot Contagious? As long as the fungus is still on the skin of the feet, even during treatment, you can still pass it on to others.

Yes. Hydrogen peroxide kills the fungus that causes athlete's foot. It can also kill bacteria that live on the surface of the skin and can worsen athlete's foot or cause additional infections. Use hydrogen peroxide on athlete's foot two times per day until the infection is gone.

As vinegar has antifungal properties, soaking the feet daily in a vinegar foot bath could help fight off fungal infections, such as athlete's foot.

Can I use peroxide on athlete's foot? ›

It may sound like a dangerous chemical, but hydrogen peroxide is an effective home remedy for treating athlete's foot. The chemical works by killing all surface bacteria and funguses on the skin.

Treating Your Shoes

Fungus is already a difficult infection to get rid of, and what surprises many people is that fungus can live in your shoes for up to 20 months. Thus, continuously treating your shoes throughout treatment is essential.

Use warm, soapy water and rinse and dry your feet thoroughly, especially between the toes. Apply a medicated foot powder (Tinactin, Gold Bond, others) or other medicated powder (Lotrimin AF, Zeasorb, others) if you're prone to athlete's foot.

The early signs of athlete's foot are patches or fissures (deep breaks or slits), especially between the toes. As the infection progresses, the skin may turn red, become itchy, and appear moist. Small blisters may spread out across the foot, breaking to expose raw fissures that are painful and may swell.

A simple and easy fix at home is to “sanitize shower bases with a potential disinfectant like bleach. It kills spores of fungi,” Tierno says. Try a diluted bleach solution to kill off any potential threats.

Foot fungi can easily spread to a partner when you sleep in the same bed or wear the same shoes. Sharing a shower with someone who has athlete's foot is also a risk. In a rare case where two partners have open wounds on their feet, an untreated infection of the foot can be transferred from one person to the other.

Wearing socks to bed can help prevent transmission of the fungus. Even if you avoid contact, your partner can still develop athlete's foot if you walk around the house barefoot. The fungus can attach itself to floors when you walk or stand on them.