Do I Have Eczema or Athlete’s Foot?

Are your feet feeling red, itchy or cracked? Have you been wondering if it’s something more than the usual dry skin? It can be hard to figure out exactly what’s going on in the foot department, especially when symptoms of some of the most common foot complaints can cross over. Red, itchy and cracked skin can show up with two of the most common foot issues, eczema and athlete’s foot. 

Telling the difference between eczema and athlete’s foot isn’t always straightforward, but it is important. They look similar, they both itch like crazy, and they can both make your feet feel pretty miserable. But crucially they are caused by completely different things and require totally different treatments. Using the wrong one won’t just be ineffective; it could make things a whole lot worse.

So, we’re here to help you play spot the difference and figure it out, is it eczema or athlete’s foot? First, let’s break down the tell-tale signs of each condition, what causes them, and how to get your feet back to being happy, healthy, and ready for your next workout.

What is Athlete's Foot?

Athlete’s foot, or tinea pedis (it’s official name), is a fungal infection. It’s caused by dermatophytes. These tiny fungi that are obsessed with warm, dark, and moist environments. They’re also highly contagious, hanging out on the floors of communal areas like gym changing rooms, showers, and around swimming pools. You can pick them up just by walking barefoot where an infected person has been. 

Symptoms to look our for:

• An Intense Itch: The itch is often the first sign and is usually most severe right after you take off your shoes and socks. 
• Stinging: If the athlete’s foot has caused a crack in the delicate skin between or underneath your toes, you might feel a burning, stinging sensation - especially when the skin is damp, like after a shower. 
• Location, Location, Location: It almost always starts between the toes, especially between the fourth and fifth toes where moisture gets trapped. From there, it can spread to your soles and the sides of your feet.
• Scaly, Peeling Skin: The skin between your toes may become white, soft, and start to peel. On the soles, it can look dry and scaly.
• Redness and Blisters: The infected area can look red and inflamed, and sometimes small, fluid-filled blisters can appear.
• A Distinct Smell: There’s often a slightly cheesy or musty odour that accompanies athlete’s foot, especially if it’s got really bad and spread from under your toes. 

The key takeaway is that athlete’s foot typically has a clear starting point between the toes, a stinging pain and sometimes an itch. 

Eczema on the Foot (Atopic Dermatitis)

Unlike athlete’s foot, eczema’s not an infection and it’s not contagious. It’s a chronic inflammatory condition. The exact cause isn't fully understood, but it's often linked to stress, seasonal allergies (like hay fever), or contact with certain metals or chemicals.

Dyshidrotic (also called pomphlox) eczema is a common type of eczema that affects the feet. It causes tiny, deep-seated blisters to pop up on the soles and sides of your feet. The exact cause isn't fully understood, but it's often linked to stress, seasonal allergies (like hay fever), or contact with certain metals or chemicals.

Symptoms to look out for:

• The tell-tale vesicles: You’ll often get small, very itchy blisters (vesicles) on the soles of your feet and the sides of your toes. They look like tiny little pearls under your skin.
• Location is a clue: While athlete's foot often starts between the toes, eczema is more likely to appear on the soles and sides of the feet. It can also affect your hands, which is a big hint that it's eczema and not fungus.
• It’s a flare-up kind of thing: Eczema symptoms can come and go in cycles, getting worse during flare-ups and then calming down. Although you might have this condition long term, don’t despair. There are all kinds of ways you can manage the symptoms but there are periods that will be worse, and others where you might not have any symptoms at all. 

Eczema vs Athlete’s Foot; A Head to Head Comparison

The most important takeaway? Athlete's foot is a fungal problem, while eczema is isn’t. 

Treating eczema with antifungal creams won’t do a thing, and it might even irritate your skin more. Similarly, treating athlete’s foot with steroid creams meant for eczema can be a disaster. Steroids suppress your skin’s immune response, which is like rolling out the red carpet for the fungus and telling it to multiply. The infection can get much worse, spreading rapidly. This is why a correct diagnosis is not just helpful, it's essential.

Your Action Plan: How to Treat Your Feet

Once you have a better idea of what you’re dealing with, you can take the right steps to sort it out.

If It’s Athlete's Foot...

Your mission is to kill the fungus and make your feet the most uninhabitable place imaginable for the fungus. This is how to do it: 

• Bring in the Antifungals: A targeted antifungal treatment is your first line of defence. For a powerful, 100% natural option, Funga Shield is a game-changer. This powder is brilliant because it does two jobs at once: its natural, skin-friendly ingredients attack the fungus, while the powder itself absorbs the moisture that the fungus needs to survive. It’s chemical-free, so it won’t irritate your already angry skin. It also smells great!
• Practice Impeccable Hygiene: Wash your feet daily and dry them completely. We’re talking bone-dry, especially between those toes. Use a fresh towel every single day so you’re not putting the fungus back onto your feet with your old towel.
• Sort Your Socks and Shoes: Wear moisture-wicking socks (merino wool or synthetics, not pure cotton!) and change them daily. Rotate your shoes so they have at least 24 hours to dry out completely.
• Leave your socks and shoes to dry out in the sun after washing. Fungus hates sunlight, so you’re helping to make sure the fungus is dead. 
• Wash your towels and socks on a high temperature to make sure you kill any fungus spores. 

If You Suspect Eczema...

The goal here is to soothe the inflammation, restore the skin’s barrier, and avoid your triggers.

• Moisturise, Moisturise, Moisturise: Eczema-prone skin is thirsty skin. It’s advised to use a thick, gentle, unfragranced emollient several times a day to lock in moisture. Sole Saviour can be a great help here too, as its 100% natural, intensely hydrating formula is designed to soothe and protect dry, compromised skin.
• Identify and Avoid Triggers: Try to figure out what’s causing your flare-ups. Is it stress? A new laundry detergent? Sweaty feet? Stress? Keeping your feet cool and dry is still important.
• Be Gentle: Avoid harsh soaps and very hot water, as these can strip your skin of its natural oils.
• See a Professional: If you’re pretty sure it’s eczema, it’s worth a trip to your GP or a dermatologist. They can confirm the diagnosis and may prescribe a mild topical steroid cream to calm the inflammation during a flare-up.

When to Call in the Pros

If you’re really not sure what you’re dealing with, or if you’ve tried treating it and it’s not getting better (or it’s getting worse), it’s time to see a professional. A podiatrist, pharmacist, or your GP can often diagnose the issue just by looking at it. In some cases, they might take a small skin scraping to look at under a microscope to give you a definitive answer.

Don't let a foot rash derail your training or drive you up the wall. By taking a moment to play detective, you can figure out what your feet are trying to tell you. Whether it's a fungal foe or an inflammatory flare-up, the right approach will have you back on your feet, comfortably and confidently, in no time.

Logan