Athlete's foot

Athlete’s foot is a very common condition that many people develop at some point in their life. It is caused by a fungal infection that affects the skin on the feet.

Athlete’s foot is usually mild, and often affects the skin in between the toes, causing it to become red, flaky, and itchy. The medical name for athlete’s foot is tinea pedis. Athlete’s foot is usually easy to treated using antifungal medication.

How common is athlete’s foot?

Anyone can develop athlete’s foot, but it is more common in men and teenagers. The condition is relatively rare in children who are under 12 years of age.

It is not fully understood why some people are more prone to developing athlete’s foot than others. However, as the name suggests, people who play a lot of sport are often affected by athlete’s foot. This is because they often use the places where the infection is spread, such as communal showers and changing rooms.

Sport and exercise also tends to make your feet warmer and moister than usual, which provides an ideal environment for the fungi to grow. Tight-fitting trainers can also encourage the fungi to grow.

Outlook

If treated effectively, an athlete’s foot infection will usually only last for a few days or weeks. However, if left untreated, the condition can last for several months or, in some cases, years.

Not all cases of athlete’s foot can be prevented, but practising good foot hygiene can greatly help to reduce your risk of developing the condition. See Athlete’s foot - prevention for more information about foot hygiene.