What Happens If Athlete's Foot Is Left Untreated?

At any given time, up to 15% of people in the United States have athlete’s foot. This common fungal infection typically lurks in communal areas and spreads easily and quickly. 

The burning and itching that athlete’s foot causes may seem like just a nuisance; however, left untreated, this opportunistic fungus can cause serious problems. At premier podiatry practice Alpine Foot & Ankle, with locations in Alpine, Wyoming, and Idaho Falls, Idaho, Dr. Andrew McCall, manages a full range of issues that affect feet and ankles, including athlete’s foot.

Our team has put together some information outlining why it’s crucial that you don’t put off getting treatment for athlete’s foot, no matter how mild it seems. 

Symptoms will escalate

At first, athlete’s foot symptoms are usually mild. However, without addressing the infection, the fungi continue to reproduce and symptoms increase, progressing to more severe itching, blistering, cracking, and bleeding in between the toes, escalating discomfort, and foul smell.

Over time, athlete’s foot can cause discomfort significant enough to affect mobility. 

The infection can spread to others

Getting treatment for athlete’s foot protects not only your foot health, but also the foot health of others. The fungus that causes athlete’s foot thrives in moist, warm environments, making showers, locker rooms, shoes, sweaty socks, and floors prime locations for the spread of athlete’s foot.

The spores the fungi produce are adept at surviving on surfaces. This means the floors of pool decks, shower rooms, and lockers are prime locations for spread. Sweaty socks are also a haven for fungi. 

Athlete’s foot doesn’t discriminate. Children, adults, family, and friends are at risk if you ignore the problem. 

The infection can affect other parts of your body

While it’s called “athlete’s foot,” you don’t have to be an athlete to get it, and the fungi that cause infection aren’t isolated to your feet. The spread of the infection to other parts of the body, such as your groin or hands, is one of the most common complications we see at our clinic. 

On the hands, it can cause the same itching and burning, and the skin often starts peeling. When the infection spreads to the groin, it causes uncomfortable itching and burning in the skin in the creases of your groin and inner thighs. 

It can lead to onychomycosis, a stubborn toenail infection

Ignoring athlete’s foot, or putting off treatment, increases the risk of developing a toenail infection. Onychomycosis is notoriously difficult to treat because the fungi invade the nail plate, which serves to shield the fungi. The protective barrier of the overlying nail makes it more difficult for topical treatments to reach. 

The fungus under the nail can form a dense, sticky mass known as a dermatophytoma. The mass works similarly to a biofilm, which is a group of bacteria coated in a stiff extracellular matrix. This biofilm structure serves as a physical and chemical protection, dramatically enhancing the fungus' resistance to typical antifungal treatments.  

It can lead to secondary infections

Athlete's foot compromises the skin barrier, which allows bacteria to enter more easily, increasing the risk of secondary infections. The fungal infection causes the skin to peel and crack, especially between the toes, creating openings through which bacteria can invade. 

Scratching further damages the skin, causing open wounds that are highly susceptible to bacterial infection. This can result in complications such as cellulitis and lymphangitis, which are bacterial infections of the skin and lymphatic vessels.

The secondary bacterial infection causes the affected area to become painful, swollen, hot, and inflamed. In severe or prolonged cases, these bacterial infections can worsen the condition and require medical treatment beyond antifungal therapy.

Don’t delay athlete’s foot treatment

When you take care of your feet, your feet will take care of you. If you have athlete’s foot, it’s wise to come in for evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment. 

Don’t leave athlete’s foot unchecked until it spreads and becomes more stubborn to treat. Contact us to set up an appointment today.