Athlete's foot — treatment and prevention
Reviewed by the My London Pharmacy clinical team, Zaynab Ali, Pharmacist Independent Prescriber
·29 July 2026
·7 min read
Quick answer
Athlete's foot is a common fungal infection that causes itchy, red, flaky or cracked skin, usually between the toes. It thrives in warm, damp conditions and spreads easily in communal areas. Most cases clear with an antifungal cream such as Lamisil, and keeping feet clean and dry helps prevent it returning.
What athlete's foot is
Athlete's foot, known medically as tinea pedis, is a very common fungal infection of the skin on the feet. It is caused by the same group of fungi responsible for ringworm and fungal nail infections, which thrive in warm, moist environments. The spaces between the toes, especially the smaller toes, are the classic site because they trap moisture and are slow to dry.
Despite its name, you do not need to be an athlete to get it, though it is common in people who use communal changing rooms, showers and pools, where the fungus spreads easily on wet floors. It is generally a mild condition, but it can be uncomfortable and persistent, and if left untreated it can spread to the nails or to other parts of the body. It is also extremely common, affecting a large proportion of people at some stage, so it is nothing to feel embarrassed about. Because it is so widespread and easy to pick up again, the emphasis is as much on sensible everyday prevention as on treating each individual episode.
Recognising the signs
Athlete's foot usually causes a mixture of the following, most often between the toes:
- Itching, stinging or burning
- Red, flaky or scaly skin
- Cracked or peeling skin, which can be sore
- Dry, thickened skin on the soles in some cases
- Occasionally small blisters
The skin between the toes may look white, soggy and cracked, particularly if it stays damp. Some people have only mild flaking, while others find it more inflamed and itchy. If the skin becomes very cracked, bacteria can occasionally get in and cause a secondary infection, which is worth watching for.
Treating athlete's foot
Most cases respond well to an antifungal treatment applied to the skin, and many can be managed with pharmacy products. Lamisil cream, which contains terbinafine, is a widely used option applied to the affected area, and it is important to treat not just the visible rash but a little of the surrounding skin too. Even once symptoms settle, continuing for the full recommended period helps make sure the fungus is fully cleared and reduces the chance of it returning.
Before applying any treatment, wash and thoroughly dry your feet, paying particular attention to the spaces between the toes, as the cream works best on clean, dry skin. Wash your hands after applying it so you do not transfer the fungus elsewhere. Stopping treatment the moment the itch eases is one of the commonest reasons athlete's foot comes straight back, so it is worth continuing for the full period stated on the product. If you are also using an antifungal powder in your shoes and socks, this can help keep the environment less hospitable to the fungus while your skin heals.
Where the skin is very inflamed and itchy, a clinician may sometimes recommend a combined preparation such as Trimovate, which contains an antifungal along with a mild steroid to calm the irritation. Using a steroid alone is not advised on a fungal rash, as it can make the infection worse, so combined products are used with guidance.
When it is stubborn or spreading
Sometimes athlete's foot does not clear with creams alone, or it keeps coming back. This can happen if the infection is extensive, if it has spread to the toenails, or if the feet are consistently warm and damp. In these situations a clinician may consider an oral antifungal such as Terbinafine taken as a tablet, which works from within over a course of a few weeks.
If the toenails are affected, treating them is important, because an infected nail can act as a reservoir that reinfects the surrounding skin. Addressing both the skin and the nails together gives the best chance of lasting clearance, and a clinician can advise on the right combination for your situation.
Preventing it coming back
Athlete's foot commonly recurs, so prevention is just as important as treatment. The key is keeping your feet clean and, above all, dry, since the fungus needs moisture to thrive. Helpful habits include:
- Drying your feet thoroughly after washing, especially between the toes
- Changing socks daily, and choosing breathable materials
- Letting shoes air and alternating pairs so they dry out
- Wearing flip-flops or sandals in communal showers and changing rooms
- Not sharing towels, socks or footwear
If you are prone to sweaty feet, moisture-absorbing socks and antifungal foot powders can help keep conditions less favourable for the fungus.
Different patterns of athlete's foot
Athlete's foot does not always look the same, and recognising the pattern you have can help you treat it effectively. The most familiar type appears between the toes, especially the outer ones, where the skin becomes white, soft, cracked and itchy. This is the classic presentation and usually responds well to antifungal cream.
A second pattern affects the soles and sides of the feet, causing dry, scaly, thickened skin that can extend across the foot in what is sometimes described as a moccasin distribution. This type can be mistaken for simple dry skin and may be more stubborn, sometimes needing longer treatment. A third, less common pattern causes small fluid-filled blisters, often on the instep, which can be uncomfortable. All three are caused by the same family of fungi, and while the treatment principles are similar, the more widespread or blistering forms are more likely to need a clinician's input. If your athlete's foot does not fit the typical picture, or is not settling, it is worth having it looked at so the right approach can be chosen.
When to take extra care
For most people athlete's foot is a minor nuisance, but certain groups should take it more seriously. If you have diabetes or reduced circulation, foot infections can develop complications more easily, so it is wise to seek advice early rather than treating it yourself. The same applies if the skin becomes very cracked, painful, swollen or shows signs of a bacterial infection such as increasing redness, warmth or pus.
Prompt attention in these situations helps prevent minor problems from becoming more significant. Regular foot care and checking your feet become especially important if you are in one of these higher-risk groups.
When to seek advice
Speak to a pharmacist or clinician if athlete's foot is not improving after a couple of weeks of treatment, if it keeps returning, if it has spread to your nails or elsewhere, or if the skin looks infected. Seek advice early if you have diabetes or another condition affecting your feet.
A clinical consultation allows the infection to be assessed and a suitable treatment recommended, whether a cream or, for stubborn cases, tablets. All treatment is subject to suitability, and a clinician can advise on the safest option for your circumstances.
Athlete's foot is one of those conditions that is easy to underestimate, because it usually starts small and often responds to simple treatment. The key to staying free of it is consistency: treating it fully rather than stopping early, keeping the feet clean and dry day to day, and dealing promptly with any return. For most people these habits, combined with the right antifungal, are enough to keep the problem at bay. If it keeps coming back despite your best efforts, or if it is linked to a nail infection or another skin problem, a clinician can help you look at the bigger picture and put a more complete plan in place so you are not caught in a cycle of recurring flare-ups.
Frequently asked questions
How long does athlete's foot take to clear?
Most cases improve within a couple of weeks of using an antifungal cream, but you should keep treating for the full recommended period even after it looks better. This reduces the chance of it coming back.
Is athlete's foot contagious?
Yes, it spreads easily through direct contact and on damp communal floors such as changing rooms and pool sides. Wearing flip-flops in these areas and not sharing towels helps prevent spread.
Can athlete's foot spread to other parts of the body?
Yes, the fungus can spread to the toenails or to the groin, causing jock itch, often via a towel or clothing. Treating it promptly and washing your hands after applying cream reduces this risk.
Why does my athlete's foot keep coming back?
Recurrence is common if the feet stay warm and damp, or if an infected toenail keeps reinfecting the skin. Keeping feet dry and treating any nail infection together helps prevent it returning.
Do I need tablets for athlete's foot?
Most cases clear with a cream, and tablets are usually reserved for stubborn, widespread infections or when the nails are involved. A clinician can advise whether oral treatment is suitable for you.