Why is athletes foot called athletes foot

In this case, your foot might be swollen, painful, and hot. Pus, drainage, and fever are additional signs of a bacterial infection. A skin infection could lead to infections of your lymphatic system or lymph nodes. Some clear up quickly, and others last a long time. However, sometimes fungal infections are difficult to eliminate. Our feet get us around every day, and often in uncomfortable shoes. No wonder many of us end up with tired, achy, and stinky feet.

But a kitchen…. A Listerine foot soak is a type of at-home foot bath. It's primarily used to treat athlete's foot and onychomycosis toenail fungus.

It causes a scaly, itchy rash that may be painful…. Jock itch is a fungal infection. Over-the-counter OTC antifungal creams, sprays, or powders may solve the problem if it is mild. More serious infections may need prescription medicine, either topical applied to skin or in pill form. Whatever you use, continue treatment for as long as recommended, even if the rash seems to be getting better. If not, the infection can come back.

Some people regularly use medicated foot powders and sprays to prevent this from happening. Most mild cases of athlete's foot clear up within 2 weeks. But treatment can go for several weeks or longer if the infection is more serious or affects the toenails. Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. What Is Athlete's Foot? What Causes Athlete's Foot? Is Athlete's Foot Contagious? If you have a rash on your foot that doesn't improve within two weeks of beginning self-treatment with an over-the-counter antifungal product, see your doctor.

If you have diabetes, see your doctor if you suspect that you have athlete's foot. Also see your doctor if you have signs of an infection — swelling of the affected area, pus, fever.

Athlete's foot is caused by the same type of fungi dermatophytes that cause ringworm and jock itch. Damp socks and shoes and warm, humid conditions favor the organisms' growth. Athlete's foot is contagious and can spread through contact with an infected person or from contact with contaminated surfaces, such as towels, floors and shoes.

You can also spread it from the foot to other parts of the body, especially if you scratch or pick the infected parts of your foot. The athlete's foot infection can spread to other warm, moist parts of the body.

Jock itch is often caused by the same fungus that results in athlete's foot. It's common for the infection to spread from the feet to the groin because the fungus can travel on hands or towels.

Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. One of the main symptoms of Athlete's foot is itchy white patches between your toes. 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.