Itchy, white, soggy skin between the toes makes most people think of athlete’s foot. The NHS names its main symptom as itchy white patches between your toes, and says it is unlikely to get better on its own, but you can buy antifungal medicines from a pharmacy. They usually take a few weeks to work, and you should keep following the advice after treatment to stop it coming back. It also notes you can catch it from other people. This sets out the NHS page “Athlete’s foot”.
1. It rarely clears on its own — pharmacy antifungals (creams, sprays, powders). Usually a few weeks.
2. Dab your feet dry, between the toes too; clean socks every day. Don’t wear the same shoes more than 2 to 3 days in a row.
3. See a GP if treatment fails, your foot or leg is hot, red and painful, or you have diabetes.
Symptoms and how it spreads — NHS
The NHS says the main symptom is itchy white patches between your toes. Sore, flaky patches can also appear on your feet, and the skin may crack or bleed. Redness may be harder to see on brown or black skin, it adds.
You can catch athlete’s foot from other people with the infection, the NHS says, and you are more likely to if your feet are wet or sweaty or the skin on them is damaged. That is why the advice below falls into two groups: keep feet dry, and don’t share (our reading).
At the pharmacy — NHS
The NHS says athlete’s foot is unlikely to get better on its own, but you can buy antifungal medicines from a pharmacy. They come as creams, sprays or powders; some are only for adults, so check the packet or ask a pharmacist, and you may need to try more than one. They usually take a few weeks to work, and you should keep following the advice after finishing treatment to help stop it coming back.
Do and don’t — NHS
| Type | What the NHS says | Worth noting (our gloss) |
|---|---|---|
| Do | Dry your feet after washing, particularly between your toes — dab rather than rub | Wet feet help it spread |
| Do | Use a separate towel for your feet and wash it regularly | — |
| Do | Wear clean socks every day — cotton is best | — |
| Don’t | Scratch — it can spread to other parts of your body | Spread to the hands is on the GP list |
| Don’t | Walk around barefoot — wear flip-flops in changing rooms and showers | In Korea: bathhouses, pools |
| Don’t | Share towels, socks or shoes | — |
| Don’t | Wear the same pair of shoes for more than 2 to 3 days in a row | Alternate two pairs |
| Don’t | Wear shoes that make your feet hot and sweaty | — |
“Bathhouses, pools” is our translation of changing rooms and showers into Korean settings. Other foot problems are covered in should you pop a blister and ingrown toenail.
When to see a GP — NHS
| When | What the NHS says | Worth noting (our gloss) |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy treatment doesn’t work | See a GP | After a few weeks of trying |
| You’re in a lot of pain | See a GP | — |
| Your foot or leg is hot, painful and red | Could be a more serious infection | Redness is harder to see on darker skin |
| It spreads to other parts, such as your hands | See a GP | — |
| You have diabetes or a weakened immune system | See a GP | The ingrown toenail page singles out diabetes too |
The NHS files these as non-urgent. Where to go is covered in ER vs local clinic.
Checklist
- ☐ A pharmacy antifungal — check whether it’s adult-only
- ☐ Keep going for a few weeks, and keep the habits afterwards
- ☐ Dab dry between the toes; a separate foot towel
- ☐ Clean cotton socks daily; alternate shoes
- ☐ Flip-flops in changing rooms and showers
- ☐ Diabetes, weak immunity, or a hot red foot: see a GP
Questions that remain
Does soaking in vinegar work?
The NHS page we read doesn’t cover home remedies, so we haven’t written about them.
My toenail is thick and yellow.
This page covers athlete’s foot on the skin. We didn’t read about nails this time, so ask a GP or pharmacist.
For verrucas too, the NHS says not to go barefoot in public places or share towels, socks or shoes (warts and verrucas).
Sources
- NHS — Athlete’s foot — source (page shows: reviewed 29 April 2024, next review 29 April 2027; checked 12 October 2026). Symptoms, how it spreads, pharmacy antifungals, a few weeks, adult-only products, 3 dos and 5 don’ts, 5 GP reasons.
- Not read. NHS fungal nail infection page; Korean agency guidance; Korean product classifications.
- What we added. The “worth noting” column and the Korean-setting translation.
Where else to check
- A pharmacist — antifungal types and age limits.
Written on 12 October 2026. The content is from the NHS; the glosses are ours.