Quantcast As displayed in this image, tinea pedis (athlete's foot) often has a sharp border. This image displays scaling and erosion of the skin between the toes in a severe case of tinea pedis (athlete's foot). This image displays the fungal infection that frequently occurs between the toes, tinea pedis (athlete's foot). This image displays the skin darkening that accompanies a rash on people with darker skin, in this case, tinea pedis (athlete's foot). This image displays the red and inflamed skin with a scaly edge typical of tinea pedis (athlete's foot). This image displays extensive athlete's foot of the top, side, and sole of the foot. This image displays a scaly border and pink, slightly elevated lesions typical of tinea pedis (athlete's foot, foot ringworm). Moisture has been a prime factor encouraging athlete's foot infection between the toes displayed in this image. Tinea pedis (athlete's foot) can cause blisters, as displayed in this scaly, red patch. This image displays two feet-one hand syndrome that is typical in tinea pedis (athlete's foot), with both feet and only one hand being affected. Tinea pedis (athlete's foot) often causes a "moccasin foot" with dry, red, rough areas along the entire side of the foot. Tinea pedis (athlete's foot) will often start between the toes, as displayed in this image.
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Athlete's Foot (Tinea Pedis):
Information for adults

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Picture of Athlete's Foot (Tinea Pedis): As displayed in this image, tinea pedis (athlete's foot) often has a sharp border. Divider line
As displayed in this image, tinea pedis (athlete's foot) often has a sharp border.
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Signs and Symptoms
The most common locations for athlete's foot include:
  • Spaces (webs) between the toes, especially between the 4th and 5th toes and between the 3rd and 4th toes
  • Soles of the feet
  • Tops of the feet
Athlete's foot may affect one or both feet. It can look different depending on which part of the foot (or feet) is involved and which fungus (ie, dermatophyte) has caused the infection:
  • On the top of the foot, athlete's foot appears as a red scaly patch or patches, ranging in size from 1 to 5 cm. The border of the affected skin may be raised, with bumps, blisters, or scabs. Often, the center of the lesion has normal-appearing skin with a ring-shaped edge, leading to the descriptive but inaccurate name ringworm. (It is inaccurate because there is no worm involved.) 
  • Between the toes (the interdigital spaces), athlete's foot may appear as inflamed, scaly, and soggy tissue. Splitting of the skin (fissures) may be present between or under the toes. This form of athlete's foot tends to be quite itchy.
  • On the sole of the foot (the plantar surface), athlete's foot may appear as pink-to-red skin with scales ranging from mild to widespread (diffuse).
  • Another type of tinea pedis infection, called bullous tinea pedis, has painful and itchy blisters on the arch (instep) and/or the ball of the foot.
  • The most severe form of tinea pedis infection, called ulcerative tinea pedis, appears as painful blisters, pus-filled bumps (pustules), and shallow open sores (ulcers). These lesions are especially common between the toes but may involve the entire sole. Because of the numerous breaks in the skin, lesions commonly become infected with bacteria. Ulcerative tinea pedis occurs most frequently in people with diabetes and others with weak immune systems.
Last Modified: 3 Mar 2008

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