How To Repair Cracked Skin Between Toes

Athlete's human foot is a common fungal infection that affects the feet. Yous tin usually care for information technology with creams, sprays or powders from a chemist's, but information technology can go on coming dorsum.

Symptoms of athlete'southward foot

I of the main symptoms of Athlete'due south foot is itchy white patches between your toes.

Athlete's foot on dark brown skin. Close-up of 2 toes. Between the toes is a scaly white and green patch.

Athlete's foot on light brown skin. A hand holds open some toes. Between 2 toes is a scaly white patch.

Information technology can also cause sore and flaky patches on your anxiety.

The peel can await red, but this may be less noticeable on brown or black skin.

Athlete's foot on white skin. Close-up of the bottom of a foot with a red flaky patch behind 1 of the toes.

Athlete's foot on dark brown skin. Close-up of 2 toes. Between the toes is a flaky, dark brown and slightly white patch.

Sometimes the peel on your feet may get croaky or bleed.

Athlete's foot on white skin. Close-up of cracked skin between 2 toes. The crack is red and skin around it is white and red.

Other symptoms

Athlete's foot can also bear upon your soles or sides of your feet. It sometimes causes fluid-filled blisters.

If information technology'due south not treated, the infection tin spread to your toenails and cause a fungal nail infection.

A pharmacist tin can help with athlete'due south foot

Athlete'due south human foot is unlikely to become meliorate on its own, simply you can purchase antifungal medicines for it from a chemist's. They usually take a few weeks to work.

Athlete's human foot treatments are bachelor as:

creams
sprays
powders

They're not all suitable for everyone – for example, some are just for adults. Always check the packet or enquire a pharmacist.

You might need to try a few treatments to find i that works best for you.

Observe a pharmacy

How to treat and forbid athlete's pes yourself

You can keep using some pharmacy treatments to stop athlete'southward foot coming back.

It's also important to go on your anxiety clean and dry. You do not demand to stay off work or school.

Practice

dry your feet after washing them, especially between your toes – dab them dry rather than rubbing them
apply a split towel for your feet and wash information technology regularly
take your shoes off when at home
wear clean socks every mean solar day – cotton socks are best

Don't

practise not scratch afflicted pare – this can spread it to other parts of your body
do non walk effectually barefoot – wear flip-flops in places similar changing rooms and showers
do not share towels, socks or shoes with other people
do not vesture the same pair of shoes for more 2 days in a row
do not wear shoes that make your feet hot and sweaty

Important

Proceed following this communication after finishing handling to assist cease athlete'south human foot coming dorsum.

Non-urgent communication: See a GP if:

treatments from a chemist's shop do not piece of work
you're in a lot of discomfort
your foot or leg is hot, painful and red (the redness may exist less noticeable on dark-brown or blackness skin) – this could be a more serious infection
the infection spreads to other parts of your trunk such every bit your hands
you take diabetes – human foot issues can be more serious if yous take diabetes
you accept a weakened immune arrangement – for example, you have had an organ transplant or are having chemotherapy

Information:

Coronavirus (COVID-xix) update: how to contact a GP

It's withal of import to get help from a GP if you need it. To contact your GP surgery:

visit their website
use the NHS App
call them

Detect out well-nigh using the NHS during COVID-nineteen

Treatment for athlete'southward pes from a GP

The GP may:

send a minor scraping of skin from your feet to a laboratory to bank check you have athlete's foot
prescribe a steroid cream to utilise alongside antifungal cream
prescribe antifungal tablets – you might need to take these for several weeks
refer you to a peel specialist (dermatologist) for more tests and treatment if needed

How you get athlete's foot

You can catch athlete'due south human foot from other people with the infection.

You tin can get it by:

walking barefoot in places where someone else has athlete's pes – particularly changing rooms and showers
touching the affected skin of someone with athlete'southward foot

You're more likely to get it if you have wet or sweaty feet, or if the pare on your feet is damaged.

Folio last reviewed: 08 June 2022
Next review due: 08 June 2024