In the United States, athlete's foot is the most common infection caused by a fungus.

About 1 in 10 adults have it at any one time.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Malcolm B.
Tinea pedis.
Practitioner. 1998; 242: 225.

 

 

 

 

 

¹

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Hay RJ, Moore M.
Tinea pedis.
In: Champion RH, Wilkinson DS, Ebling FJG (editors). Textbook of dermatology. 6th edition. Blackwell Science, Oxford, UK; 1998.

 

 

 

 

 

² And nearly everybody gets it at least once in their life.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Brooks KE, Bender JF.
Tinea pedis: diagnosis and treatment.
Clinics in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery. 1996; 13: 31-46.

 

 

 

 

 

³

Adults are more likely than children to get athlete's foot.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Aste N, Pau M, Aste N, et al.
Tines pedis observed in Cagliari, Italy between 1996 and 2000.
Mycoses. 2003; 46: 38-41.

 

 

 

 

 

⁴ And men get it more often than women. We don't know why.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Malcolm B.
Tinea pedis.
Practitioner. 1998; 242: 225.

 

 

 

 

 

¹

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Hay RJ, Moore M.
Tinea pedis.
In: Champion RH, Wilkinson DS, Ebling FJG (editors). Textbook of dermatology. 6th edition. Blackwell Science, Oxford, UK; 1998.

 

 

 

 

 

²

You're more likely to get athlete's foot in the winter because you wear shoes that cover your feet.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
O'Donnell M, et al.
Tinea pedis.
In: Lorimer D, French G, O'Donnell M (editors). Neale's disorders of the foot: diagnosis and management. 6th edition. Churchill Livingstone, London, UK; 2001.

 

 

 

 

 

⁵ This might make them warm and sweaty. And the types of fungus that cause athlete's foot grow well in places that are warm and damp.

The information on ConsumerReportsHealth.org should not be viewed as a substitute for a consultation with a medical or health professional. The information is meant to enhance communication with your doctor, not replace it. Consumers Union can not be liable for any loss, injury, or other damages related to your use of this information.

Your use of this information is subject to our User Agreement available at www.ConsumerReportsHealth.org.