Athlete’s foot causes an itchy rash to develop in the spaces between your toes.
As well as being itchy, your skin may also be:
You may also have other symptoms such as:
- cracked skin
- blisters (which may be oozing or crusting)
- swollen skin
- burning or stinging skin
- scaling patterns around your sole and on the side of your foot
If you have severe athlete's foot, your skin may begin to crack. This can sometimes expose the raw tissue underneath, which can be particularly painful and increase your risk of developing a bacterial infection.
Read more about the complications of athlete’s foot.
Spread of infection
Athlete’s foot often develops between the little toe and the one next to it. If the infection is not treated, a rash can form on the bottom and sides of your feet. The infection can also spread to your toenails, causing them to become dry and crumbly.
Scratching the infected skin and then touching other parts of your body can spread the infection. Therefore, it is important to treat the infection promptly. Always wash your hands thoroughly after touching the rash.
Read more about treating athlete's foot.
Tinea manuum
The fungal infection that causes athlete’s foot can sometimes be spread to the hands. This is known as tinea manuum and it can occur if you touch the infected skin on your feet and do not wash your hands afterwards.
However, it is very rare for athlete's foot to be passed to the hands. If it does occur, it usually affects the palm of one hand, which can become dry, red and itchy.
