Foot Fungus: Separating Fact from Fiction

FACT: Fungi are unique multi-cellular organisms that live in plants, soil, and even on your skin. A fungus can infect your feet if you’re not careful about where you walk barefoot. Traverse a forest path without shoes and you may pick up a fungus. Step barefoot on a wet pool deck where someone with athlete’s foot has also walked and you run the risk of picking up the infection, too.

FICTION: An ancient fungus mysteriously evolves and hijacks humans’ bodies and brains, turning them into zombie-like creatures that attack their fellow humans. There’s no stopping it! No cure!

If that fictitious scenario sounds familiar, you must be watching “The Last of Us” on HBO Max. This video-game-turned-TV-series may have you feeling just a little itchy and a bit freaked out about man-eating fungus. But there’s no need to prepare for any zombie apocalypse. It’s rare for any kind of fungus to infect the human brain.

Fungal infections of the feet, however, are incredibly common. Athlete’s foot, a common foot infection, causes patches of flaky, itchy skin anywhere on the feet or toes and on the skin in between the toes.

Here are some additional facts:

• Athlete’s foot can spread to the toenails. Infected toenails turn yellow, thick, and crumbly. An advanced infection can emit an unpleasant odor.
• Foot fungus is contagious. Hopefully, your friend with foot fungus won’t deliberately attack you, but he still could unwittingly pass on his infection. Don’t share his towels or sheets. Disinfect showers and tubs after an infected person uses them.
• Infection is preventable. As the weather warms up, resist the temptation to walk barefoot, especially in public areas, pool decks, and locker rooms. Wear flip-flops to protect your feet from fungal infections. Also, keep your feet clean and dry and change your socks when they get sweaty.

One last bit of fiction:

Once you have it, you can’t get rid of athlete’s foot.

The fact is, there is a cure for athlete’s foot and fungal nails. Home remedies and over-the-counter medications may help. But for infections that persist, consult board-certified podiatrist Dr. Kenneth R. Wilhelm of Clifton Foot & Ankle Center. Dr. Wilhelm offers stronger, more effective treatments at our office in Centreville, Virginia. We encourage Fairfax County residents with itchy, scaly feet to contact us online or call (703) 996-3000 for an appointment.