Medical Questions » Fungal Infections Questions » Question No. 409
| Question: | What causes athlete' s foot? Is it serious? |
| Answer: | Tinea pedis is the technical term for the fungal infections of the foot known commonly as athlete' s foot. It is far more common in men than women, and uncommon in children. The most common site for the infection is in the skin folds under the toes, where it may cause cracking and pain. The clefts between the toes are another common site, but almost any part of the foot, including the sole, may become involved. On the sole of the foot, the fungal infection may appear as deep-seated blisters rather than a red rash. The infection is caught from infected skin fragments that may be found on damp floors (eg. communal showers, swimming pool change rooms).
It is not serious, merely annoying, and responds well to antifungal creams that are available without prescription from chemists. The treatment should be continued for several days after the rash appears to have cleared to reduce the chance of it coming back again.
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