Fungal Infection on Feet

Athlete’s foot (tinea pedis) is a contagious fungal infection of the skin on the feet, but it can spread to the toenails, groin and hands. It’s called athlete’s foot because it is commonly spread in locations athletes are found, such as locker rooms, gyms and public showers.

You can get the fungus if you are in contact with someone who has the skin infection or touch a surface where the fungus is growing – commonly warm, moist areas. You increase your risk of getting athletes foot by:

• Being barefoot in public locker rooms, showers and swimming pools
• Having an untreated injury to skin or toenail
• Having sweaty feet
• Keeping your feet wet for long periods of time
• Sharing socks, shoes or towels with another person with athlete’s foot

Symptoms, Diagnosis and Outlook

Athlete’s foot is usually diagnosed by recognizing the common symptoms, including:

• Blisters on the soles of your feet or between your toes.
• Dry, flaky skin on the side and sole of your feet.
• Red rash between toes, on the bottom and sides of the feet.
• Thick toenails or nails that pull away from the nail bed.

A skin tests may also may also diagnose the type of fungal infection on your feet. Fungal infections can be difficult to eliminate and may require long-term treatment with anti-fungal medications. Some infections can clear up quickly after treatment.

Why Choose Penn State Health for Care

Top-Ranked by U.S. News & World Report

Penn State Health includes the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, ranked as one of the best orthopedic providers in the country by U.S. News & World Report. This honor was earned because our doctors consistently deliver exceptional patient care and outcomes through their commitment to advanced treatments, translational research and provider training.

Coordinated, Specialized Care Through a Dedicated Institute

Our orthopaedic specialists work together through our dedicated Penn State Bone and Joint Institute. There, they focus on providing you with multidisciplinary, tailored care and state-of-the-art treatments and technologies. This produces the highest-quality patient outcomes. All physicians at the institute are fellowship-trained and subspecialize in additional niche areas of orthopaedics, including arthritis care and joint arthroplasty (joint replacement surgery).

Designated as a Blue Distinction® Center

Penn State Bone and Joint Institute is a Blue Distinction Center for Knee and Hip Replacement. This superior designation from BlueCross BlueShield is only given to health care facilities and providers that stand out for their expertise in delivering specialty knee and hip replacement care. Our surgeons specialize in a range of pain-relieving procedures, including partial knee replacement, total joint arthroplasty, joint preservation surgery and complex revision surgery. They perform more than 1,000 joint replacement procedures every year.

Confidence in Treatment Through Education

We developed a special joint replacement education website just for patients undergoing joint arthroplasty. The website takes you step by step through the joint replacement process. From things to consider before choosing surgery to recovery after surgery, you’ll find the information you need to help you feel confident in your decision to undergo joint replacement.

Advancing Orthopaedic Medicine Through Research

The doctors and researchers in our Center for Orthopaedic Research and Translational Science at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center are committed to advancing our field through scientific discovery and education. As the only academic medical center in central Pennsylvania, Hershey Medical Center is a national leader in research, in partnership with Penn State College of Medicine, and on the leading edge of new treatment options, including clinical trials.

Support Groups

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