Tinea Pedis: Give the Boot to Athlete's Foot

At some point in your life, you’ve probably developed tinea pedis — also known as athlete’s foot — a skin condition associated with cracking, flaking, or peeling skin between the toes. Of all the infections caused by the moldlike fungi called dermatophytes — including ringworm and jock itch — tinea pedis is by far the most common.

Although rarely medically dangerous, tinea pedis is uncomfortable, unsightly, and often persistent. Your feet may be red and itchy or develop blisters, oozing, or crusting. It’s hard to go out stepping when your feet are burning and stinging.

Fortunately, this common nuisance can usually be contained with home care and over-the-counter medications. Persistent infections can be treated with prescription medications.

How People Catch Tinea Pedis 

Tinea pedis is highly contagious and opportunistic. The offensive fungi thrive in moist, warm areas like those found between toes. Left unchecked, a tinea pedis infection can spread to other areas of the body, including the toenails, heels, groin, palms, and fingers.

Although men are most likely to develop tinea pedis, it can strike anyone. Risk factors include:

• Wearing damp socks or thick, tight shoes. Such footwear promotes excessive perspiration, and plastic shoes — which don’t breathe — are especially likely to promote fungal growth.
• Direct contact with infected persons.
• Contact with infected surfaces. These often include floors in public pools, baths, showers, saunas, and locker rooms. But they also can include floors, mats, rugs, bed linens, clothes, or shoes in your home or other environment.

You also may be more susceptible to tinea pedis if you have a condition that weakens your immune system, such as diabetes or HIV/AIDS.

Home Treatment for Tinea Pedis 

You can prevent tinea pedis by keeping your feet clean and dry, especially if you pay close attention to the areas between your toes. Always thoroughly dry your feet with a clean towel after bathing or swimming.

Other prevention strategies include:

• Wearing sandals or flip-flops. This is especially important when using public areas such as pools, but it’s also advisable to use such footwear during hot and humid weather.
• Wearing shoes made of natural material. Leather, canvas, and other breathable materials are preferable to materials like plastic. If possible, alternate the shoes you wear each day to give them time to dry out.
• Wearing perspiration-wicking socks. Cotton or wool socks are the usual stand-bys, but socks made of synthetic fibers specially designed to draw perspiration from the skin may be even more beneficial. If you’re prone to sweaty feet, change your socks at least twice per day.
• Using an antifungal or drying powder. Daily dusting can protect and dry your feet.

If you develop a tinea pedis infection, apply an over-the-counter lotion, cream, or ointment containing an antifungal medication such as miconazole (Micatin), clotrimazole (Lotrimin AF, Mycelex), terbinafine (Lamisil), or tolnaftate (Tinactin). When used as directed, most such products are usually effective at controlling a tinea corporis infection within four weeks.

Tea tree oil — a natural substance with antifungal properties — may also be helpful.

Medical Treatments for Tinea Pedis 

If home treatment for tinea pedis fails to work, consult your doctor or dermatologist as soon as possible. If you’re diabetic — or if the rash is accompanied by redness, swelling, drainage, or fever — seek immediate medical attention.

Topical prescription medications include terbinafine (Lamisil), clotrimazole (Lotrimin), and miconazole (Monistat-Derm).

In severe cases, an oral prescription medication may be prescribed. These include itraconazole (Sporanox), fluconazole (Diflucan), and terbinafine (Lamisil). Your doctor also may recommend wet dressings, steroid ointments, or vinegar soaks. If you have a secondary bacterial infection, an oral antibiotic may be necessary.

Tinea pedis is no fun, but you don’t have to let it fool with your feet. By taking commonsense precautions — and properly using over-the-counter or prescription medications — you can maintain tinea-free tootsies that look and feel great.