Athlete's Foot

1. Foot Problems Slideshow Pictures
2. Medical Pictures Athlete's Foot Image Collection
3. Ringworm Slideshow Pictures

Medical Author:

Gary W. Cole, MD, FAAD

Gary W. Cole, MD, FAAD

Dr. Cole is board certified in dermatology. He obtained his BA degree in bacteriology, his MA degree in microbiology, and his MD at the University of California, Los Angeles. He trained in dermatology at the University of Oregon, where he completed his residency.

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Medical Author:

Nili N. Alai, MD, FAAD

Nili N. Alai, MD, FAAD

Dr. Alai is an actively practicing medical and surgical dermatologist in south Orange County, California. She has been a professor of dermatology and family medicine at the University of California, Irvine since 2000. She is U.S. board-certified in dermatology, a 10-year-certified fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, and Fellow of the American Society of Mohs Surgery.

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Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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• Athlete's foot is a common dermatitis of the webs of the toes and soles of the feet.
• When caused by a fungus, athlete's foot may spread to the palm, groin, and body.
• Fungal infections of the feet are contagious and can be spread person to person or by walking on contaminated objects and floors.
• Athlete's foot may cause foot itching, burning, pain, and scaling.
• When athlete's foot is caused by a fungus, it can be treated with antifungal medications, many of which are available over the counter.
• Keeping the feet dry by using cotton socks and breathable shoes can help prevent athlete's foot.

Athlete's foot is a very common skin condition that affects the sole of the foot and the skin between the toes. It is usually a scaly, red, itchy eruption and occasionally may be weepy and oozing. It affects the feet of athletes and nonathletes alike. Although it is frequently caused by a fungal infection, other causes may be indistinguishable without proper testing.

The medical name for athlete's foot caused by a fungus is tinea pedis. There are a variety of fungi that cause athlete's foot, and these can be contracted in many locations, including gyms, locker rooms, swimming pools, nail salons, airport security lines, and from contaminated socks and clothing. The fungi can also be spread directly from person to person by contact. Most people acquire fungus on the feet from walking barefoot in areas where someone else with athlete's foot has walked. Some people are simply more prone to this condition while others seem relatively resistant to it. Another colorful name for this condition is "jungle rot," often used by members of the armed services serving in tropical climates.

However, without proper growing conditions (a warm, moist environment), the fungus may not easily infect the skin. Up to 70% of the population may develop athlete's foot at some time during their lives. An infection by athletes foot fungi does not produce any resistance to subsequent infections.