Important: This article is for informational purposes only. Please read our full disclaimer for more details.
Athlete foot and eczema are the two skin conditions whose symptoms often overlap. It is the reason why people often get confused as to what skin condition they are having.
It is when having detailed information about the two and comparing Athlete’s foot vs eczema will provide insight into them and clear the doubts. If you have the same dilemma, continue reading!
Difference Between Athlete’s Foot and Eczema
Athlete’s Foot
Athlete’s foot, also called tinea pedis, is a fungal skin infection. It happens when the feet stay damp due to sweat for longer hours, allowing fungus to grow and spread. Since it often happens with athletes, it is named Athlete’s foot. However, it can happen to anyone.
The symptoms of Athlete’s foot appear between the toes and gradually spread to
- Under the toenails
- Sole
- Heel
Athlete’s foot, being a fungal infection, is a contagious disease. It can spread from one person to another through direct skin contact. Wearing shoes of a person having an Athlete’s foot can transfer the fungus to your skin. The fungus will enter through cuts, wounds, and cracks and flourish under warm and humid environments.
Eczema
Eczema is a skin condition in which the skin becomes inflamed, dry, and easily irritated. It is also called atopic dermatitis and can occur in any part of the body, including the feet.
Unlike Athlete’s foot, eczema is not contagious. It happens due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. At the same time, it is believed that the skin barrier of people with eczema is dysfunctional, making it drier and irritated easily with different types of allergens.
Athlete’s Foot Vs. Eczema- How Do They Appear?
People with Athlete’s foot show the following signs or symptoms-
- Redness
- Dryness
- Itchiness
- Cracking
- Thick, swollen, and white skin
When left untreated or when the condition gets severe, the Athlete’s Foot may turn into an acute case of inflammation. In such cases, blisters, pus filled bumps and blisters will form on the feet.
In eczema, the skin will show the following signs-
- Itching
- Redness
- Dryness
- Flaking
- Inflammation
Similarly, like in Athlete’s foot, people may develop blisters, pus-filled bumps, and sores that can leak liquid.
The only difference is that an athlete’s foot will appear only in the feet, but eczema may appear in any body part, including the feet.
Here’s a table differentiating between Athlete’s foot and eczema under different categories-
Feature | Athlete’s Foot | Eczema |
Definition | Fungal infection affecting the skin of the feet | Inflammatory skin condition, often chronic |
Cause | Fungal infection (usually Trichophyton) | Genetic, environmental, and immune factors |
Location | Primarily affects feet, especially between toes | Can occur anywhere on the body, commonly in folds |
Symptoms | Itching, burning, redness, scaling | Itching, redness, dryness, flaking, inflammation |
Appearance | Red, scaly rash often between toes | Dry, red patches, sometimes with oozing or crusting |
Transmission | Contact with contaminated surfaces (e.g., floors, shoes) | Not contagious, but can be hereditary |
Risk Factors | Sweaty feet, wearing tight shoes, walking barefoot in public places | Family history, allergies, sensitive skin |
Treatment | Antifungal creams, powders, oral medications | Moisturizers, corticosteroid creams, antihistamines |
Prevention | Keep feet clean and dry, wear breathable footwear | Avoid triggers (e.g., irritants, allergens), moisturize skin |
Complications | Secondary bacterial infections, spread to nails | Skin infections, psychological impact |
Contagiousness | Highly contagious through direct contact | Not contagious |
Frequency | Common, especially in athletes or those who share communal showers | Common, affecting people of all ages |
Athlete’s Foot vs. Eczema- Diagnosis
The telltale signs of an athlete’s foot can help diagnose the problem, especially when the feet stay in damp and moist conditions for long hours.
However, if it looks similar to eczema and you and the doctor are not able to conclude by physical examination, the doctor will perform a test after taking a skin sample. The doctor will scrap out a small amount of skin and check for the presence of fungal spores.
To rule out if it’s eczema, the doctor may ask for the family history of eczema. Skin biopsy is also often recommended for the correct diagnosis. The doctor may also advise an allergen test to find out the cause of the allergy.
Athlete’s Foot vs. Eczema- Prevention
As already mentioned, the primary cause of an athlete’s foot is damp and moist conditions around the feet; therefore, avoiding such a situation can curb the problem to a great extent.
Here’s what you can do to prevent athlete’s foot-
- Wash your feet regularly with soap and water
- Dry the feet with a clean towel
- Wear breathable footwear such as flip-flops or slippers, especially in swimming pools, showers, and changing rooms
- Do not wear tight-fitting shoes
- Remove the shoes after regular intervals and let the sweat inside dry
- Wear fabrics that dry quickly
- Always wear clean and washed shocks
While you can minimize the risk of Athlete’s Foot to a great extent by following preventive measures, eczema, being a genetic condition, cannot be prevented completely. However, efforts can be made to minimize the flare-ups due to eczema by taking the following measures-
- Find what’s triggering eczema and avoid them
- Keep the skin well moisturized
- Wear clothes that are breathable
- Avoid tight-fitting clothes
- Keep yourself hydrated by drinking water
- Use a humidifier to manage symptoms
- Do not use fragrant detergents and soaps
While these steps won’t protect you from eczema if it’s in your genes and flares up due to poor immunity, they can manage the discomforting symptoms to a great extent.
Conclusion
Due to similar symptoms people often fail to understand if it’s an athlete’s foot or eczema. It is when keen observation and keeping a track of the symptoms help diagnose the problem correctly. If you are still confused, visit a doctor to get the right treatment.
Related Articles
- Bump on the Side Foot – Common Causes & Treatment Options
- What Causes Lump On Top Of Foot?
- Epsom Salt And Vinegar Foot Soak
- 5 DIY Foot Scrubs for Cracked Heels You Can Make At Home
- 5 DIY Detox Foot Soak Recipes
- How to Use Vaseline for Eczema?
- Aloe Vera for Eczema: How to Use?
- Top 10 Natural Remedies for Eczema Relief
- Coconut Oil for Eczema: How To Treat?
- Apple cider vinegar for eczema: How it works and uses?
Image Source – canva