Athlete's Foot

When you can’t find relief from the itchy and burning of athlete’s foot, using over-the-counter (OTC) creams, Ankur Bahri, DPM, and Sandeep Sandhu, DPM, at Specialized Foot and Ankle Care can help. These skilled foot and ankle specialists take a personalized approach, creating plans that quickly relieve symptoms and clear up your infection. Call the office in Carteret, Perth Amboy, or Edison, New Jersey, today or book an appointment for your athlete’s foot treatment online.

What is athlete’s foot?

Athlete’s foot, also called tinea pedis, is a fungal infection that affects the skin on the feet, usually between the toes. Fungal infections can affect any part of the body. But fungus thrives in warm, moist, and dark environments like your feet when wearing shoes and socks.

The fungal infection causes a red, itchy, and burning rash and can affect one or both feet.

Who gets athlete’s foot?

Despite the name, athlete’s foot doesn’t just affect athletes. Anyone can get it. It’s estimated that about 70% of people in the United States get it at some point.

You can get athlete’s foot when you come into contact with infected skin or a contaminated surface. You’re at a higher risk of picking up the infection if you walk barefoot in a public place like a locker room or public pool.

What does athlete’s foot look like?

Athlete’s foot causes the skin of your feet to look dry and flaky. The skin can turn red, purple, or gray. The infection can affect any part of the foot, like the bottoms or tops of the feet, the heels, or between the toes.

Athlete’s foot is itchy and can cause a foul odor. In severe cases, the fungal infection will create blisters or cracks in the skin, opening up the skin to more severe bacterial infections.

The fungus that causes athlete’s foot can also spread to the toenails. 

What treatments clear up athlete’s foot?

Antifungal medication clears up athlete’s foot. Though you can use over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal treatments for athlete’s foot, you should schedule an appointment at Specialized Foot and Ankle Care first.

They can confirm a diagnosis and make recommendations that quickly clear your infection. OTC medication might not work if what you think is athlete’s foot is really something else.

The podiatrists at Specialized Foot and Ankle Care can also recommend prescription-strength antifungal medication if your infection is severe. With the right treatment, athlete’s foot clears up within weeks.

To reduce the chances of the infection coming back, you must complete your treatment as prescribed by the team at Specialized Foot and Ankle Care.

At Specialized Foot & Ankle Care, Dr. Sandhu or Dr. Bahari treat patients for bunions, diabetic foot care, athlete foot, sports injuries, heel pain, and more. We are a foot and ankle specialist practice located in New Jersey. Call us to book your appointment today.