Athlete’s Foot: Why It Keeps Coming Back—and How to Beat It for Good
Let’s talk about a super common, super annoying condition that creeps up on people: athlete’s foot (tinea pedis).
If your feet are itching, peeling, cracking, or smelling funky, chances are you’ve had a run-in with this skin fungus. The name makes it sound like it’s only for hardcore athletes, but the truth is: anyone with feet can get it—especially if they’re warm, sweaty, or stuck in shoes all day.
Let’s break down why it happens, why it keeps coming back, and how to actually get rid of it.
🦠 What Is Athlete’s Foot?
Athlete’s foot is a fungal skin infection that usually shows up between the toes, but it can spread to the soles, sides, and even toenails if you’re not careful. It’s caused by dermatophytes—a group of fungi that love warm, moist environments (aka, sweaty shoes).
👀 Common Symptoms:
Itching and burning between the toes
Red, scaly, or cracked skin
Peeling or flaking (especially on the soles)
Odor (that locker-room funk smell? Yep.)
Small blisters or raw skin in severe cases
🤔 Why Do I Keep Getting It?
Re-infection from your own shoes or socks
If you treat your feet but not your footwear, you’re just stepping back into fungus-ville every time you gear up.Skipping treatment too early
Fungus may look gone on the outside, but it can still be active deeper in the skin. If you stop meds too soon, it rebounds fast.Sweaty feet + tight shoes = fungus playground
If your feet stay damp inside tight shoes or non-breathable socks, you’re basically inviting the fungus to move in.
🧴 How to Treat Athlete’s Foot
1. Topical Antifungal Creams
Start here. Over-the-counter treatments like:
Clotrimazole (Lotrimin)
Terbinafine (Lamisil)
Tolnaftate (Tinactin)
Apply twice daily for at least 4 weeks—even if symptoms clear sooner. And yes, you need to cover the entire bottom of the foot, not just the itchy spot.
2. Antifungal Sprays or Powders (for Shoes)
Treating your feet but not your shoes is like cleaning your kitchen and leaving rotten food in the fridge.
Spray the insides of your shoes daily during treatment, and rotate pairs if possible so they can dry out between wears. I typically don’t prescribe these for direct on-foot use but for synthetics that dont come in contact with skin, they’re ok, just make sure to let the spray dry before using the shoe.
3. Change Socks Mid-Day (If Needed)
Sweaty feet? Bring an extra pair of socks and swap them out halfway through the day.
4. Keep Feet Dry
After showers, dry between your toes gently. That’s fungus’s favorite hiding spot. If you’re really prone to moisture, dust your feet with antifungal powder before putting on socks.
💪 For Recurring or Severe Cases
If OTC treatments aren't cutting it, a podiatrist might prescribe:
Prescription topical antifungals
Oral antifungal medication (for deep or chronic cases)
We might also check to make sure it’s actually athlete’s foot. Sometimes eczema or contact dermatitis can look similar. A simple skin biopsy can give us this information.
🔁 How to Stop It from Coming Back
✅ Disinfect your shoes regularly
✅ Rotate shoes so they dry out between wears
✅ Wash socks in hot water with antifungal laundry additives if needed
✅ Don’t walk barefoot in public showers or locker rooms
✅ Use shower sandals
✅ Keep your toenails trimmed and clean (fungus loves to hide under nails too)