Athlete’s foot is a type of fungal infection which begins between the toes. It is a contagious fungal infection and is closely related to other types of infections, such as ringworm and jock itch. Athlete’s foot can easily spread via contaminated floors, towels or clothes. This fungal infection can also spread to the toenails and the hands. Athlete’s foot usually occurs in people whose feet become sweaty because of constricted tight-fitting shoes. This condition is commonly seen in athletes, thus the name. Although it’s not serious since it can be treated with over-the-counter antifungal medicines, the infection has a  tendency to recur and can become difficult to treat in exceptional cases.

Athlete’s foot can lead to certain complications such as an allergic reaction to the fungus leading to blistering on the feet or hands and development of a bacterial infection in which a painful swelling occurs on the foot.

Types
Athlete’s foot is divided into three categories

• Chronic interdigital athlete’s foot
  It is the most common type of athlete’s foot which is characterized by scaling, maceration, and fissures in the webbed space between the fourth and fifth toes. This type of athlete’s foot causes intense itching when socks and shoes are removed.
  
  
• Chronic scaly athlete’s foot
  This type of athlete’s foot is caused by Trichophyton rubrum, a fungus, leading to dry and scaly skin on the sole of the foot. When suffering from this infection, you either experience it on two feet and one hand or on one foot and two hands. It is often seen in people who have eczema or asthma.
  
  
• Acute vesicular athlete’s foot
  This is the least common type of athlete’s foot characterized by the sudden onset of painful blisters on the sole or top of the foot. It originates in people with chronic interdigital toe web infections. This causes a wave of blisters in the arms, chest or sides of the fingers as well.

Symptoms
Usually, the symptoms of athlete’s foot depend on the specific type of infection and that is why there are several possible symptoms for this fungal infection. Some of the common symptoms include:

• Stinging, itching and burning between the toes or on the soles of feet
• Cracking and peeling skin on the feet, especially between the toes and the soles
• Blisters on the feet, causing itching
• Raw skin on the feet
• Skin getting dry on the soles or sides of the feet
• Discolored, thick and crumbly toenails
• Toenails pulling away from the nail bed
• An itchy scaly red rash between the toes
• Chronic dryness on the soles which might extend to the side of the foot
• Ulcers on the feet
• Burning sensation between the toes
• Rashes with an odor or discharge between the toes

The infection can affect one or both feet and can spread to the hands as well, especially if the individual scratches or picks at the infected parts of the feet.