People with eczema are familiar with itchy, inflamed skin. Athlete’s foot — a common rash on the feet — can also cause irritation and itching. When your feet are itchy and inflamed, it can be hard to tell what’s causing it — even if you’ve had eczema for years.

“My fingers and the bottom of my feet have itched all night. Wearing shoes has been terrible. I thought it was athlete’s foot at first,” one MyEczemaTeam member shared.

Both athlete’s foot and eczema can cause itchy, sometimes painful rashes, as well as cracked and peeling skin. So, when you develop an itchy rash on your feet, how exactly can you tell which condition you have?

1. Athlete’s Foot Is Contagious but Eczema Isn’t

Athlete’s foot is a contagious fungal infection caused by dermatophytes — the same fungi that cause ringworm. It’s also known as tinea pedis — “tinea” meaning “ringworm” and “pedis” meaning “foot.” This common condition affects about 70 percent of people at some point in their lives.

Eczema is a chronic (ongoing, or long-term), noncontagious skin condition. Doctors aren’t sure what causes eczema. It may result from a gene variation, weakness in the skin barrier (the outer layer of skin), an inflammatory response, or other causes.

2. Athlete’s Foot and Eczema Tend To Affect Different Populations

The fungi that cause athlete’s foot thrive in warm, humid conditions, such as damp socks. Athlete’s foot spreads through direct (skin-to-skin) contact or via contact with a skin flake or contaminated surfaces, such as shoes and towels. Common places to contract athlete’s foot include locker rooms and saunas. Cleveland Clinic notes that males and people aged 60 or older have a higher risk of developing athlete’s foot.

Eczema may run in families. It’s particularly common in infants and children. According to the National Eczema Association, approximately 80 percent of people with atopic dermatitis — the most common form of eczema — will have symptoms before they’re 6 years old. Eczema is associated with other immune system conditions, like allergies and asthma. For example, more than half of children with severe atopic dermatitis will develop asthma.

Dyshidrotic eczema, also called pompholyx or vesicular eczema, shows up as tiny, fluid-filled blisters. This type of eczema typically affects the palms, soles of the feet, and sides of the fingers​​​. It’s most common in those ages 20 to 50 but can develop at any age.

Researchers still don’t know the cause of dyshidrotic eczema. However, you may be at increased risk if you smoke, are undergoing radiation therapy, or have:

• Allergies
• A history of exposure to irritants or allergens
• A history of atopic dermatitis
• Overactive sweat glands

Exposure to different irritants, including allergens, may trigger eczema flares (a sudden worsening of symptoms). Common triggers include:

• Soaps
• Detergents
• Lotions with fragrance
• Cosmetics
• Dust mites
• Pet dander

3. Athlete’s Foot and Eczema Are Commonly Found on Different Parts of the Feet

Common symptoms of athlete’s foot include itchiness, burning, and stinging. The way athlete’s foot looks can change depending on the type of infection — toe web, vesicular-type, moccasin-type, or ulcerative. Athlete’s foot may appear as:

• Inflamed skin with a reddish, grayish, or purplish appearance
• Cracked, peeling, or scaly skin between the toes
• Blisters
• Scaly, dry skin on the sole of the foot that spreads up the side

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Eczema often looks like:

• Red or purple rashes on pale skin or dark brown, gray, or ashen patches on darker skin, which may be itchy or painful
• Very dry, scaly skin, which may crack or bleed

After initial itchiness, dyshidrotic eczema may cause small blisters, which can be extremely itchy and painful. These blisters may grow larger and typically last a few weeks. If you have this type of eczema frequently, you may also notice:

• Scaling or peeling skin, which may be cracked, hard, or discolored (red on light skin, darker or gray on dark skin)
• Changes in the color of your nails

The location of eczema can vary depending on age and other factors. Children under 2 often develop atopic eczema on the cheeks, stomach, arms, and legs. Adults typically see it on the face, hands, and neck and in the folds of the elbows and knees. However, different types of eczema can affect any part of the body. Dyshidrotic eczema, for example, usually appears on the palms, soles, and sides of the fingers.

4. Athlete’s Foot and Eczema Are Diagnosed Using Different Tests

Typically, your healthcare provider diagnoses athlete’s foot with a symptom history and a foot exam. Some people need to be tested. If necessary, your provider will perform a biopsy, removing a tiny piece of skin for lab testing.

Your general healthcare provider can diagnose eczema with a physical exam and by asking questions about your health and symptom history. Mention any contact you’ve had with potential irritants.

Before making the diagnosis, your healthcare provider will rule out other causes of your rash, including autoimmune diseases, allergic contact dermatitis, and athlete’s foot.

Diagnostic testing for eczema may include:

• Patch testing to determine allergic causes
• Biopsy or skin scraping to check for infection or other causes and distinguish skin conditions
• Blood tests to look for autoimmune causes, high levels of immunoglobulin E, or elevated eosinophils

5. Athlete’s Foot and Eczema Have Different Treatments

When one member of MyEczemaTeam experienced eczema on their feet, they asked, “Can I use athlete’s foot cream on my eczema? It’s prescription cream.”

Since eczema on the feet and athlete’s foot have similar symptoms, it may be tempting to treat them with the same products. However, these conditions have different causes and need different treatments.

Athlete’s foot is typically treated with topical antifungals (over-the-counter or prescription). You can find topical antifungals in many forms, including:

• Creams
• Ointments
• Sprays
• Gels
• Powders

Alternatively, your healthcare provider may prescribe oral antifungal medications (pills) to treat your athlete’s foot.

Other ways to manage athlete’s foot include:

• Keeping your feet cool, clean, and dry
• Avoiding scratching
• Limiting the time you wear shoes and socks

You can treat eczema with daily applications of moisturizers and ointments, such as petroleum jelly. For infants, eczema can be managed with gentle bathing, moisturizing, and other at-home practices.

Prescription treatments for eczema include:

• Topical medications (applied directly to the skin)
• Immunosuppressant drugs that help calm immune system activity and reduce inflammation
• Phototherapy (light therapy)
• Oral drugs such as corticosteroids (steroids), antihistamines, or anti-inflammatory drugs

Side effects of prescription treatments can vary, so it’s important to ask your doctor about any you might experience.

To treat dyshidrotic eczema, apply moisturizing cream or lotion every day. Other options include:

• Topical creams and ointments to reduce inflammation
• Oral medications to relieve severe symptoms
• Drainage of large blisters to relieve pain
• Other medications, such as biologics, to help control the immune system response that causes eczema

If an area affected by eczema becomes infected, treatment will depend on the type of infection.

6. Athlete’s Foot Usually Resolves in 2 Months, While Eczema Is Long Term

With the right diagnosis and treatment, athlete’s foot should resolve within one to eight weeks. As your athlete’s foot begins to heal, symptoms such as itchiness will become less bothersome. However, it’s important to complete your prescribed treatment. Stopping treatment early can cause your athlete’s foot to come back in a harder-to-treat form.

Many children outgrow eczema. For others, eczema is an ongoing condition — symptoms flare and improve over time. Your healthcare provider can help you find the most effective long-term therapy.

7. Different Prevention Practices Help Reduce the Risk of Athlete’s Foot vs. Eczema

You can help prevent athlete’s foot by practicing good foot hygiene:

• Wash your feet daily with warm, soapy water and dry them completely, especially between the toes.
• Use a medicated foot powder.
• Air out your feet when possible.
• Change your socks at least once daily (more often if needed to keep your feet dry).
• Wear cotton socks, which help keep feet drier.
• Wear waterproof footwear when in public places, such as locker rooms and pools.
• Switch shoes each day so your shoes can dry thoroughly after each use.

You can help prevent eczema flare-ups by moisturizing daily after bathing. Your healthcare provider may also suggest avoiding:

• Irritants like perfumed soaps
• Known or potential triggers, such as animal dander
• Tight-fitting clothing
• Extreme humidity levels

For more information on preventing flare-ups, read about the itch-scratch cycle of eczema.

The tips mentioned earlier for managing general eczema also apply to dyshidrotic eczema. In addition, your healthcare provider may recommend the following measures:

• Drying your hands completely, then applying petroleum jelly or cream to protect them
• Using warm, not hot, water when washing
• Wearing gloves in wet or cold weather
• Using latex-free gloves while washing dishes or handling water

When To Consult Your Healthcare Provider

It’s important to know when to seek medical advice for athlete’s foot and eczema, especially if symptoms persist or worsen. Here’s when to consult your healthcare provider for each condition.

For athlete’s foot:

• Don’t try to self-treat with over-the-counter antifungal products for longer than two weeks. If your rash hasn’t improved after two weeks of treatment, contact your healthcare provider.
• Seek medical attention if you notice any signs of infection, such as pus, swelling, or fever.
• If you have diabetes, see your healthcare provider as soon as you suspect athlete’s foot, even at the first sign of a rash.

For eczema, call your healthcare provider if:

• You develop eczema symptoms without a prior diagnosis or treatment plan
• Your symptoms persist after a few weeks of treatment or worsen despite treatment
• You experience a fever, severe pain, or signs of infection, such as pus or swelling

Talk With Your Doctor

If you’re unsure about your symptoms or if your treatment isn’t helping, reach out to your healthcare provider. They can help you find the right way to treat your condition and prevent it from getting worse. Receiving the right care early on can make a big difference in managing your symptoms and improving your comfort.

Find Your Team

MyEczemaTeam is the social network for people with eczema and their loved ones. On MyEczemaTeam, members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with eczema.

Are you living with eczema? Have you ever had eczema on your feet and weren’t sure how to treat it? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.