Can you spread athletes foot

The most visually obvious is the scaling of the foot, which may occur alongside cracking or peeling skin. The most physically obvious is the itchiness associated with the condition, often accompanied by pain or burning.

At first, your skin may seem more pale than normal and moist, with the skin between the toes being the most affected. You may also notice that your foot produces a slight odor.

Wash your feet every day with soap and water and allow them to dry completely before putting on freshly laundered socks. Never wear dirty or wet socks. Athlete's foot Athlete's foot is a fungal infection that causes scaly rash that may itch, sting or burn. Athlete's foot on side of foot Open pop-up dialog box Close. Athlete's foot on side of foot Athlete's foot can cause dry, scaly skin on the bottom and sides of the foot.

Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references AskMayoExpert. Tinea pedis. Mayo Clinic; Accessed June 8, Thompson DA. Athlete's foot. In: Adult Telephone Protocols. American Academy of Pediatrics; High WA, et al. Special considerations in skin of color. In: Dermatology Secrets. Elsevier; Ferri FF. The skin can look red, but this may be less noticeable on brown or black skin. Athlete's foot can also affect your soles or sides of your feet.

It sometimes causes fluid-filled blisters. If it's not treated, the infection can spread to your toenails and cause a fungal nail infection. Athlete's foot is unlikely to get better on its own, but you can buy antifungal medicines for it from a pharmacy. They usually take a few weeks to work. They're not all suitable for everyone — for example, some are only for adults. Always check the packet or ask a pharmacist.