Foot fungus (Tinea Pedis): Symptoms and treatment
What to do about foot fungus (Tinea Pedis)?
Do you suffer from maddening itching between your toes, red flakes or painful fissures on your foot? Chances are you have foot fungus (medical term:tinea pedis, also known as swimmer's eczema). This highly contagious fungal infection is incredibly annoying and, if not treated properly, can even spread to your nails (chalk nails). Fortunately, you can fight foot fungus effectively and permanently if you take the right steps.
What to do about foot fungus (The quick answer)
Foot fungus thrives best in a warm, moist and dark environment (such as your shoes). To successfully fight the infection and prevent constant reinfection, follow this powerful 2-step plan:
Kill the fungal spores in your shoes: Sprinkle a fungicidal shoe powder daily (such asPediFris® Classic) in your shoes. This eliminates the traces left behind and prevents you from infecting yourself every time you put on your shoes.
Take away the breeding ground (moisture): Use an anti-perspirant foot spray (such asPediSpray®) to stop sweaty feet and clamminess. Fungi need moisture to survive; keeping your feet bone-dry helps them die off faster and allows the skin to recover.
💡Hygiene tip: Wash your feet daily with water (without aggressive soap), always dry them very carefully (especially between the toes!) and change breathable, clean socks daily.
By
Judith de Jong, Content owner, PediFris®
Medically reviewed by Sébastian Deqidt, podiatrist
· Updated on 26 June 2026
Preventing athlete's foot and combating re-infection
Why a dry foot and shoe environment helps with athlete's foot
Fungus thrives in a warm, damp environment — and it is precisely that dampness that fuels the symptoms. PediFris® tackles the root cause: dry feet (PediSpray®) and a dry, fresh environment inside the shoe (PediFris® Classic powder) help prevent athlete's foot and can reduce symptoms. In the case of an active infection, use it alongside an antifungal treatment.
Step 1
Keep feet dry
PediSpray® (Strong or Regular) on the skin: less moisture means a less favourable environment for fungi between the toes.
Step 2
Keep shoes dry and fresh
PediFris® Classic powder in shoes: keeps the inside of the shoes dry, making it harder for fungal spores to survive.
Step 3
Prevent re-contamination
Use the spray and powder daily during and after treatment, and change your shoes — this reduces the risk of athlete's foot returning.
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Foot fungus: what exactly is it?
Many people think they are rid of foot fungus as soon as the worst itching on their toes stops, only to suddenly suffer again a month later. How can that be? The cause is almost always in the shoes! Fungal spores are true survivors. They nestle deep inside the lining of your warm, damp sports or work shoes. As soon as you put your (almost) healed feet back into those infected shoes and start sweating, the infection flares up again immediately.
The solution: PediFris® breaks the cycle of fungus
Want to get rid of foot fungus for good and make sure it doesn't come back? Then mopping with the tap is not an option. You need to break the vicious circle immediately with a targeted approach: eliminate the source of infection in your shoes with PediFris® Classic shoe powder, AND transform your feet into a dry environment where fungi cannot possibly survive with PediSpray® foot spray. We tell you exactly how.
Break the stubborn circle of fungus
Treat not only your feet, but also the source of infection.
How to recognise foot fungus?
Before starting treatment, it is useful to be sure that you are actually dealing with foot fungus.
The fungus prefers to nestle in the warmest, hottest spots on your foot: between the (little) toes and under the sole of the foot. You can recognise an incipient or advanced infection by one or more of the following symptoms:
Extreme itching: A persistent, often maddening itch between the toes or on the edge of the foot is the first signal in 90% of cases.
Red, scaly skin: The infected skin becomes inflamed, red and begins to visibly (and palpably) flake.
Moist, soft spots: Especially between the toes, the skin can look softened, white-coloured and 'softened'.
Chinks and cracks: At a later stage, the skin can become so dry and damaged that painful, small cracks and fissures appear.
Nasty sweat odour: Because the skin's natural barrier is broken, odour-causing bacteria are given free rein, often resulting in severe sweaty feet or stench.
Blisters: Sometimes small, clear fluid-filled blisters develop on the sole of the foot that itch tremendously and may burst open.
Do you recognise one or more of these symptoms? Chances are that the tinea pedis fungus has settled in your shoes and on your skin. Time to intervene before it spreads to your nails (chalk nails) or infects other family members!
Are you suffering from these symptoms? Then it's time to take action.
Recognising the symptoms is crucial for timely treatment and to prevent further spread. Here are the main characteristics by which you can recognise foot fungus
Step 1. PediFris® Classic Shoe Powder: banish fungus from your shoes
The biggest and most common mistake in treating foot fungus is forgetting about shoes. Your feet are locked in a dark, enclosed space day in, day out. If you have foot fungus, millions of invisible fungal spores are hidden in the fabric and seams of your footwear. If you don't kill these, another outbreak is simply a matter of time.
With PediFris® Classic shoe powder will make your shoes 100% safe to wear again. This powerful spreading powder has been specially developed to actively kill off bacteria and fungus in the material. Simply sprinkle half a teaspoon of powder into your shoes before you put them on. As you walk, the powder soaks deep into the lining, eliminating mould spores and instantly neutralising any unpleasant sweat odours.
Take away the breeding ground of the fungus
No moisture and sweat means no foot fungus.
Step 2. PediSpray® Foot Spray: Dry Feet, Fast Recovery
Your shoes are now disinfected, but to give your feet a chance to recover quickly and completely, we need to weaken the fungus. Fungi need a moist (clammy) environment to grow, itch and survive. By keeping your feet completely dry, you turn your feet from a 'fungal paradise' into a pitch-dry desert where the infection cannot possibly survive.
Where an ordinary deodorant does not stop sweating, is PediSpray® A powerful and clinically proven antiperspirant. The high-quality aluminium salts in the spray safely calm the sweat glands. This immediately stops excessive sweat production. This dry environment significantly speeds up the natural healing process of your foot skin.
Application: Spray PediSpray® at night before going to bed on clean, extremely carefully dried feet (don't forget the areas between your toes). Use 4 to 6 pumps and allow skin to air dry completely.
Operation: After one application, your feet are guaranteed to stay dry for up to 5 days. Use it daily for the first week and then easily build up to once or twice a week as the ultimate prevention against new fungal infections.
The Result: Restored Feet and Mould-Free Shoes
Foot fungus is extremely tenacious if you only address half the problem. If you wash and dry your feet extra well, but continue to wear infected shoes, you will be fighting against the bullseye and stuck in an endless cycle of itching, scaling and frustration.
By using the golden combination of PediFris® Classic (to kill the fungal spores in your shoes) and PediSpray® (to stop the moisture on your feet), you instantly break this vicious cycle. Your feet will have the ultimate chance to fully recover, the maddening itch will disappear and you will enjoy healthy, dry feet and 100% fresh shoes every day again. Get rid of foot fungus for good today!
Finally itch-free and healthy feet again
Banish foot fungus and nasty odours for good.
Consult a doctor: In case of persistent or painful foot fungus(especially if you also have diabetes), it is advisable to visit your GP. They may prescribe a stronger, prescription ointment or recommend oral antifungal medication (such as terbinafine).
Tip: Always faithfully follow the instructions during any treatment, even if the itching already seems to have disappeared. Fungi are masters of survival and return immediately if you stop applying or powdering too soon!
Product recommendation
PediSpray® foot spray
The ultimate remedy for sweaty feet that really does reduce foot perspiration
Product recommendation
PediFris® Classic
Specially designed to combat unpleasant odours and excessive perspiration on the soles of the feet and between the toes using the unique PediFris formula.
Athlete's foot: tackle the source
PediFris® eliminates the source of the symptoms — moisture and a warm environment inside the shoe: dry feet with PediSpray® and fresh shoes with PediFris® Classic powder help prevent athlete's foot, reduce symptoms, and prevent re-infection. In the event of an infection, use in combination with an antifungal treatment.
Frequently asked questions about foot fungus
Deeper answers on recognising, treating and preventing - with links to related topics (sweaty feet, shoes, nails).
What is foot fungus (tinea pedis) and how does it occur?
Athlete’s foot — usually tinea pedis — is a fungal infection of the skin on the foot, often between the toes or on the sole. The causative agents thrive in warm, damp environments: think of wet shoes, sports socks and changing rooms.
It is not the same as pitted keratolysis: that is a different skin condition characterised by small craters on the sole. However, sweaty feet and poor ventilation can exacerbate both conditions.
What symptoms belong to foot fungus?
Typical symptoms include itching, redness, flaking or a moist, whitish appearance between the toes. On the sole, it may appear sharply defined or, conversely, widely spread. If in doubt (or if there is pain, sores or a fever), it is advisable to seek professional advice.
Also look out for signs that point more towards the nails: fungal nail infection is more common in cases of long-term foot fungus problems.
How to treat foot fungus and what is the role of shoes?
Treatment focuses on reducing the fungal load on the skin and in shoes. On the skin, antifungal agents (cream, gel, spray as prescribed or advised by a pharmacist) are commonly used — always follow the instructions for use and duration of treatment.
At the same time, it helps to reduce moisture: an antiperspirant such as PediSpray® can provide support in cases of excessive sweating. In footwear, PediFris® Classic (see PediFris in shoes) can help to make the environment less suitable for fungi and bacteria.
Combine this with good hygiene regarding smelly shoes and smelly feet, as odour is a sign that microorganisms are lingering.
How to prevent foot fungus and new infection?
Prevention is all about keeping feet dry, wearing clean shoes and taking care on wet floors. Change your shoes, wear breathable socks and use slippers at the swimming pool or gym.
If you already have sweaty feet, this increases the risk — see our guide to sweaty feet for context and product recommendations (including anti-sweat foot spray).
Is foot fungus contagious and what about family or sports?
Yes, you can transmit fungi via floors, mats, towels or shared bathrooms — that is why slippers and personal towels are important.
Odour itself is often caused by bacteria and moisture; refer to the section on smelly feet. A fungal infection on the foot is different from simply “smelling”, but the two can occur together.
When should I see a GP or specialist?
Consult your GP in the event of severe pain, rapidly spreading redness, open wounds, fever, or if you have diabetes and develop foot problems. An examination is also advisable if there is any doubt as to whether the condition is caused by a fungal infection, eczema or other skin diseases.
In the case of persistent nail discolouration or thickening: have fungal nail infection assessed; nails often require a longer course of treatment than just the skin.
About the author & sources
Written by Judith de Jong (Content owner, PediFris®) and medically reviewed by Sébastian Deqidt, podiatrist. We base our advice on foot care practice and on the medical sources listed below.
Worried about a persistent complaint, fungal nail, athlete’s foot or excessive sweating? Consult your GP, podiatrist or chiropodist.
Sources
- NHS: Athlete’s foot — www.nhs.uk
- DermNet: Tinea pedis — dermnetnz.org
