Wearing tight shoes with limited air flow. Wearing shoes with plastic liners. Leaving your feet wet or moist for long periods of time. Having sweaty feet often. Developing a nail or skin injury.

Itching and burning. Peeling or flaking skin. Cracking skin. Bleeding. Pain of the infected area. Areas of skin that look pinker/redder than the rest of the foot (if you have light skin).

Fungal infections can spread to your hands, especially if you pick at areas on your foot infected with athlete’s foot. Athlete’s foot can spread to your toenails and fingernails. It is more difficult to treat toenail infections than skin infections on your foot. Athlete’s foot can develop into jock itch when it infects your groin area. Know that the fungus that causes athlete’s foot can contaminate materials like a towel or be transferred by your hands if, for example, you touch your infected foot and then scratch your groin area.

Taking skin scrapings from the infected area in order to take a look at the cells under a microscope. Using a black-light to look at your feet and see if the light shows fungus on your foot. Sending a sample of skin cells to the laboratory for further testing. [4] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source

Over-the-counter topical antifungals usually contain one of the following as its active ingredient: clotrimazole, miconazole, terbinafine or tolnaftate. Treatment usually lasts from one to eight weeks, depending on the medication you choose.

It is a good idea to continue using anti-fungal powders and creams for one to two weeks after fungus has cleared up to ensure that the infection does not return. Always use the medication as you are instructed on the box, tube or pamphlet that comes with the medication. Don’t skip doses, and don’t finish using the medication before the directions recommend—even if symptoms disappear before then. Never tear off skin that is flaking. You could damage healthy surrounding skin and spread the fungal infection.

Follow the directions, and soak your foot several times a day for at least three days. When all the blister fluid has dried up, you can move on to applying an antifungal topical medication to the infected area. [6] X Research source You can also put Burow’s solution on a cloth or other compress and apply it to the infected area. Another common remedy you can try is a solution that is 2/3 warm water and 1/3 vinegar.

Change your socks and your shoes as often as you need to keep your feet dry. If your socks get damp at all, it’s time to change them. Put on clean, cotton socks every time. Synthetic fibers aren’t as good at wicking away moisture as cotton is. One trick is to take a silica packet (they often come in beef jerky packets, for example) and stick it inside your sock for the day. It may be a little uncomfortable, but silica is great at wicking away moisture — that’s why they’re put to use in beef jerky packets. You can use talcum or antifungal powder on your feet and inside your shoes to absorb moisture and help combat fungal infections. [8] X Expert Source Neal Blitz, DPM, FACFASBoard Certified Podiatrist Expert Interview. 22 April 2020. Wear open-toed shoes or sandals as much as possible.

Be aware that these natural remedies have not been proven effective by scientific testing. Evidence supporting the use of tea tree oil and/or garlic is anecdotal, or based on personal accounts.

Prescription strength topical antifungals include medications that may contain butenafine, clotrimazole or naftifine. The pill form of prescription antifungals include fluconazole, itraconazole and terbinafine. You usually have to take these pills for two to eight weeks, depending on which medication you are prescribed.

Always dry feet off completely after bathing or swimming before putting your shoes back on. Be sure to regularly disinfect your shower floor, since foot fungus thrives in a warm, wet environment. If you had the fungus on your feet then showered, the fungus could continue to live in your shower, reinfecting you or infecting any family members who share your shower. [9] X Expert Source Neal Blitz, DPM, FACFASBoard Certified Podiatrist Expert Interview. 22 April 2020.

Buy new shoes if you have to.

You should use very hot water and bleach to kill athlete’s foot fungi in clothing and shoes.