Anyone who’s forgotten their shower shoes and tiptoed barefoot across a gym locker room has one thing in mind: “Please don’t let me get athlete’s foot!”
Unfortunately, this fungal infection isn’t selective to gymgoers. It’s common, and anyone can catch it. (If you’re taking medication for athlete’s foot or another condition, we can help you save up to 80%. Download our free discount card today.)
That’s why we tapped Patrick McEneaney, DPM, to discuss how to handle the itch. He’s a board-certified podiatrist and owner and CEO of Northern Illinois Foot & Ankle Specialists in Crystal Lake, Illinois.
What is athlete’s foot?
Dr. McEneaney: It’s a fungal infection on the skin of your feet. It can affect 1 foot or both. Usual symptoms include itching, burning and cracked or scaly skin. You may also notice inflamed skin, such as a rash, or blisters.
Symptoms are especially noticeable on the bottoms of the feet, in between the toes and on the toenails. In fact, when people have fungal toenails, it’s often the same type of fungus that causes athlete’s foot.
The type of fungus that causes athlete’s foot is common. Like most fungi, it thrives in warm and moist areas. Damp areas such as showers, locker rooms and pool areas provide the perfect place for fungus to grow.
How do you get athlete’s foot?
Dr. McEneaney: In order for the fungus to take up residence on your feet, you have to be exposed to it. The worst part: It’s easily passed from 1 person to another.
That means you could catch it walking barefoot in the same area that a person with an infection has stepped. Or you could pick it up by using the same towel, shoes or socks as someone with the condition. In fact, the most common areas to pick this up are health club showers, gyms, pools, locker areas and hotel rooms.
The fungus is also more likely to stick around if you create an ideal home for it. Feet that are consistently hot and sweaty, or that have cracked skin, can be more vulnerable.
How do I treat athlete’s foot?
Dr. McEneaney: Most of the time, over-the-counter [OTC] antifungal creams can clear up an infection. The brands Lotrimin® and Lamisil® make common athlete’s foot creams. In general, these medicines either kill fungal cells or prevent fungal cells from growing.
You first want to make sure what you’re dealing with is actually athlete’s foot. That’s especially true if you have redness on your foot, particularly the top of your foot. It may be a sign of a bacterial skin infection. Either way, your health care team can help confirm your suspicions — and help you treat it. Usually, you’re directed to use these OTC antifungal creams twice a day for a couple of weeks.
If you’ve been using a topical cream for a month and you’re not getting better, it may be time to up the ante. Your doctor may recommend trying a prescription medication to help clear the infection. Some of the most popular options are Lotrisone® (clotrimazole) and Loprox Cream® (ciclopirox cream).
[Applying clotrimazole? Here’s what you need to know before you start.]
