The Facts
Athlete's foot - known as dermatophytosis of the foot or tinea pedis ("foot fungus") - is a common skin infection that affects the feet. You don't have to be an "athlete" to get it. In North America, 1 in 10 people has athlete's foot. Men tend to be affected more than women, adults more than children. In about 50% of people with athlete's foot, the condition recurs because the fungus spores survive in skin cracks between the toes.
There are three types of athlete's foot: moccasin-type, vesicular or blistered, and ulcerative tinea pedis.