Embarrassing Illnesses

Athlete's foot causes you to develop a rash, usually in the spaces between your toes. The rash can cause your skin to be:

• itchy,
• scaly,
• flaky,
• dry, and
• red.

As well as a rash in between the spaces of your toes, you may notice other symptoms, including:

• cracked skin,
• blisters (which may be oozing, or crusting),
• swelling of the skin, and
• a burning or stinging sensation in your skin.

If the rash is particularly severe, your skin may start to crack, which can sometimes expose the raw tissue underneath. This can be particularly painful, and increases the risk of you developing a secondary bacterial infection (see 'complications' section).

Spread of infection

You will usually notice that the rash begins in the spaces between your fourth and fifth toes. If the infection is left untreated, you may also notice a rash forming on the bottom and sides of your feet. Sometimes the infection can also spread to your toenails, causing them to be dry and crumbly.

If you scratch your infected skin, and then touch other parts of your body, you may cause the infection to spread. It is therefore important that you treat your infection (see 'treatment' section), and always wash your hands thoroughly after touching the rash.

Tinea manuum

In some cases the fungal infection that causes athlete's foot can spread to your hands. This is known as tinea manuum. The fungal infection is most likely to spread to your hands if you touch the infected skin on your feet and fail to wash your hands afterwards.

The symptoms of tinea manuum are very similar to athlete's foot. Your skin becomes dry, red and itchy. The creases in the palms of your hands and the sides of your fingers are most commonly affected.

How long will my symptoms last?

If you have athlete's foot and it is treated, you will only usually experience symptoms for 1-10 days. However, if your infection is left untreated, or does not respond to treatment, you may have your symptoms for several months, or even years.