infection

Athlete's foot

Athlete's foot, known medically as tinea pedis, is a common skin of the feet caused by a fungus. Signs and symptoms often include itching, scaling, cracking and redness. In rare cases the skin may blister. Athlete's foot fungus may infect any part of the foot, but most often grows between the toes. The next most common area is the bottom of the foot. The same fungus may also affect the nails or the hands. It is a member of the group of diseases known as tinea.

Underlined words are explained — tap any of them.

Symptoms — what it feels like

·Itching, scaling, redness of the foot

Causes — why it happens

·Fungi (Trichophyton, Epidermophyton, Microsporum)

How it's found

·Based on symptoms, confirmed by or microscopy

Prevention

·Avoiding walking barefoot in public showers, keeping toenails short, wearing big enough shoes, changing socks daily

Treatment

·Antifungal medication applied to the skin or taken by mouth

More in Skin

Eczema Psoriasis Acne Skin cancer (melanoma)Vitiligo Fungal skin infection Leprosy Scabies Hives (urticaria)Melasma Shingles Cellulitis

See all of Skin →

Plain-language summary adapted from Wikipedia. Not medical advice.