Athlete’s foot is a common fungal infection that can make the skin on your feet itchy and cause it to crack. It often grows between your toes, as your feet are often warm and moist in that place. You can still take baths as usual if you have it, but ensure that your feet are dry.
It can be uncomfortable but does not typically cause serious problems and may go away on its own, but sometimes requires topical medication.
At-home remedies such as using certain minerals in water and bathing your feet can help clear the infection faster. But taking regular baths and soaking your feet for a long time without thoroughly drying them may worsen the infection.
It is also important to avoid public baths or swimming pools as this can spread the infection to others.
Baths and athlete’s foot
The fungus that causes an athlete’s foot infection, tinea pedis, thrives in wet and warm places. Your feet are the perfect place for the fungus to develop, as they are often warm and sweaty, providing the necessary nutrients for the fungus to grow.
Taking a bath can cause the infection to get worse. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD), if you wish to take baths, ensure that you take the following steps to prevent worsening the infection:
- avoid bathing for too long
- dry your feet and toes thoroughly after
- use soap to clean your feet
- always clean your bath afterwards with disinfectant
There are also medicinal foot baths that can help you fight an athlete’s foot infection. Including certain substances in a foot bath, such as apple cider vinegar, can help you fight the infection:
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the AAD, if you experience recurrent athlete’s foot infections, you can follow the steps below to prevent infection:
- keep your toenails short, as your nails may cause the infection to grow
- wear socks made of quick-dry material to prevent moisture around your feet
- keep alternating your shoes
- make sure your shoes are dry
- avoid walking barefoot, and wear shower shoes or flip-flops in public areas like public showers
- make sure to always wash and thoroughly dry your feet
Need a prescription or refill? You can get discreet and expert on-demand care in as little as 15 minutes with no video or appointment required. For $25, answer a few questions online and get a treatment plan from a board certified healthcare professional. Get started here.
Causes
When you experience the itchy and cracking skin that athlete’s foot causes, it results from a fungal infection in certain cells on your skin called dermatophytes. Your skin contains a substance called keratin, which the fungi feed on.
The infection develops because the fungus makes its way into these cells through tiny cracks or wounds on the surface of your skin. This usually happens from direct skin-to-skin contact with flakes of skin with an athlete’s foot infection.
This fungus thrives in warm and slightly damp environments, making your feet the perfect place for it to grow.
Your risk of developing athlete’s foot increases if you:
- have a minor injury on your feet
- sweat, and your feet remain unwashed
- frequently wear plastic-lined closed shoes
- your feet are not adequately dried
Athlete’s foot treatment
Plenty of over-the-counter, topical medications are available that you can buy in your local pharmacy to help clear up the infection quickly. They all work to stop the growth of the infection and kill the fungus.
These medications often contain a group of drugs called azoles. These include:
- itraconazole (Sporanox)
- clotrimazole (Lotrimin)
- miconazole (Monistat)
Allylamines are another group of topical drugs that doctors use for treating athlete’s foot, for example, terbinafine (Lamisil).
Applying these medications for up to 6 weeks, once or twice per day, depending on the medication, can greatly speed up the time to clear the infection.
These medications can cause slight skin discoloration or itching. It is important to follow the instructions on the label of the medication.
If you need help covering the cost of medications, the free Optum Perks Discount Card could help you save up to 80% on prescription drugs. Follow the links on drug names for savings on that medication, or search for a specific drug here.
