Athlete's Foot

Athlete's foot (tinea pedis) is a fungal infection of the skin on your feet. It often occurs on the skin that is between or underneath the toes. It can also occur on the soles of your feet. The infection can spread from person to person (is contagious). It can also spread when a person's bare feet come in contact with the fungus on shower floors or on items such as shoes.

Causes

This condition is caused by a fungus that grows in warm, moist places. You can get athlete's foot by sharing shoes, shower stalls, towels, and wet floors with someone who is infected. Not washing your feet or changing your socks often enough can also lead to athlete's foot.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of this condition include:

Itchy areas between your toes or on the soles of your feet.
White, flaky, or scaly areas between your toes or on the soles of your feet.
Very itchy small blisters between your toes or on the soles of your feet.
Small cuts in your skin. These cuts can become infected.
Thick or discolored toenails.