Athlete's foot

3 imperatives to transform health care in America. You're invited to watch it live

Free

E-newsletter

Subscribe to Housecall

Our weekly general interest
e-newsletter keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics.

Sign up now

Risk factors

By Mayo Clinic staff

You are at higher risk of athlete's foot if you:

  • Are a man
  • Frequently wear damp socks or tightfitting shoes
  • Share mats, rugs, bed linens, clothes or shoes with someone who has a fungal infection
  • Walk barefoot in public areas where the infection can spread, such as locker rooms, saunas, swimming pools, communal baths and showers
  • Have a weakened immune system
References
  1. Goldstein A, et al. Dermatophyte (tinea) infections. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 7, 2010.
  2. Trevino J, et al. Tinea (dermatophyte) infections. American Academy of Dermatology. http://www.aad.org/education/students/Tineainfect.htm. Accessed Sept. 27, 2010.
  3. Augenbaugh W. Cutaneous fungal infections. In: Bope ET, et al. Conn's Current Therapy. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-6642-2..00013-2--sc0100&isbn=978-1-4160-6642-2&sid=1060046265&type=bookPage&sectionEid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-6642-2..00013-2--s1795&uniqId=220345846-2#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-6642-2..00013-2--s1795. Accessed Sept. 27, 2010.
  4. Dermatophyte fungal infections. In: Habif TP. Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide to Diagnosis and Therapy. 5th ed. Edinburgh; New York, N.Y.: Mosby Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00022-5&isbn=978-0-7234-3541-9&sid=1060047096&type=bookPage&sectionEid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00022-5--s0375&uniqId=220345846-3#4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00022-5--s0375. Accessed Sept. 28, 2010.
  5. Fungus infections: Tinea. American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. http://www.aocd.org/skin/dermatologic_diseases/fungus_infections.html. Accessed Sept. 29, 2010.
DS00317 Nov. 23, 2010

© 1998-2013 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

  • Reprints
  • Print
  • Share on:

  • Email

Advertisement


Text Size: smaller largerlarger