What Happens if You Ignore Athlete’s Foot?

Athlete’s foot might seem like a minor issue, with a little itching or peeling between the toes. But when left untreated, this common fungal infection can lead to much more serious problems.

At Michigan Foot & Ankle Institute, our experienced podiatrists often help patients who waited too long to address what started as a small annoyance. Trust us; this is one condition you don’t want to ignore.

Here’s what happens if you don’t treat that itchy rash quickly.

Skin barrier breakdown

Without the right treatment, athlete's foot breaks down your skin's protective barrier. 

Many people find the itching so intense that they can't help but scratch or rub those irritated areas, making the skin break down even faster.

That can lead to painful symptoms like:

• Deep cracks or fissures between the toes
• Blisters that break open
• Oozing sores
• Bleeding

Openings in the skin, whether cracks or broken blisters, are like a personal invitation for bacteria.

That’s when a fungal infection can turn into a bacterial one, which is far more serious. For example, athlete's foot can turn into cellulitis, which can cause swelling, redness, pus, fever, and even body-wide illness if left untreated.

An untreated cellulitis infection could threaten your limb health or even your life if untreated.

This risk of bacterial infections is especially high for people with diabetes, poor circulation, or compromised immune systems.

Spreading to your toenails

When athlete's foot isn’t treated early, the fungus can spread from the skin to your toenails, causing a condition known as fungal nail infection (onychomycosis).

This type of infection isn’t just unsightly—it’s stubborn and much more difficult to treat than athlete’s foot alone.

You may notice:

• Thickened nails
• Brittle or crumbling nails
• Yellow, white, or brown nail discoloration
• Nails that lift up and separate from the nail bed
• Pain or discomfort when walking or wearing closed-toed shoes

Once the infection enters the nail, topical creams usually aren't enough to beat the infection. At that point, you often need prescription topical treatments, oral antifungal medication, or even toenail removal to clear it. Fungal nail infections are notorious for returning if not treated completely, so it's always best to avoid them in the first place.

Moving on to other parts of your body

Athlete’s foot is caused by a contagious fungus that can spread if left untreated. Two common secondary fungal skin infections are:

Tinea manuum

Tinea manuum occurs in the hands. It often develops after scratching itchy feet. After that, the fungus can quickly get into the skin of your hands, especially if you have even the tiniest cut.

Tinea cruris

Better known as jock itch, this fungal infection can crop up after scratching the feet and touching the groin area. It can also spread through indirect contact, for example, drying your feet with the same towel you use on the rest of your body.

It's also important to know that the fungus can affect others if you're not careful. It can pass to other people through touch or by sharing towels or garments. Athlete's foot spreads easily in warm, moist environments like locker rooms and swimming pools.

Don't wait to treat your athlete's foot

At Michigan Foot & Ankle Institute, we offer fast, effective treatment and strategies to prevent the infection from coming back. Whether you’re dealing with early symptoms or chronic infections, we’re here to help.

Call our Garfield Road office at 586-999-9953 or our 15 Mile Road office at 586-460-2138 to book your consultation.