Athlete's Foot - Symptoms

Symptoms of athlete's foot include itchy, sore skin on the toes, with scaling, cracking, inflammation, and blisters. Blisters that break can expose raw patches of tissue. These patches can also cause pain and swelling. As the infection spreads, itching and burning may get worse.

If left untreated, athlete's foot can spread to the bottom of the feet and toenails. Toenail infections may be accompanied by crumbling, scaling, and thickened nails, and nail loss. The infection can also be spread if the patient scratches him or herself and then touches another part of the body. The fungus also grows well in the groin area and under the arms. The infection can also be spread to other body parts by bed sheets and clothing that carry the fungus.