Athlete’s foot usually looks like an itchy, patchy rash on the feet, most often between the toes, with peeling or scaling skin that can be red, white, or even slightly brown depending on your skin tone.

What athlete’s foot looks like

Common visual signs include:

  • Itchy white patches between the toes, sometimes soggy or soft-looking.
  • Red or darker patches that may be flaky or scaly on the sides or bottom of the foot.
  • Peeling or cracking skin, especially in the toe spaces and on the soles.
  • Dry, rough, scaly skin that can form a “moccasin” pattern around the heel and sides of the foot.
  • Small blisters or bumps that may be filled with fluid in more severe cases.
  • Occasionally open sores or splits between the toes if it’s been there a long time and is irritated or infected.

On brown or black skin, the redness may be less obvious, and the infection can show more as dry, scaly, or lighter/darker patches with peeling or cracking.

How it feels (to help you identify it)

Visual clues often come with these sensations:

  • Itching that’s worse after removing shoes and socks.
  • Burning or stinging between the toes or on the soles.
  • Soreness if the skin cracks or blisters.
  • Sometimes a bad foot odor along with the rash.

Things that look similar

Other conditions can resemble athlete’s foot visually:

  • Eczema or contact dermatitis (dry, inflamed, itchy patches).
  • Psoriasis (thick, scaly plaques).
  • Bacterial infections (more redness, warmth, possibly pus).
  • Fungal nail infection if the fungus spreads to the toenails (thick, discolored nails).

This is why a photo alone isn’t always enough for a sure diagnosis.

When to see a doctor

You should get checked by a healthcare professional if:

  • The rash is painful, very red, or has pus or swelling.
  • You have diabetes or poor circulation and notice any foot changes.
  • Over‑the‑counter antifungal creams haven’t helped after 2–4 weeks.
  • The rash is spreading to your nails, hands, or groin.

Quick treatment overview

Typical first steps (general information, not a diagnosis):

  1. Keep feet clean and completely dry, especially between the toes.
  2. Use an over‑the‑counter antifungal cream or spray as directed on the package.
  3. Change socks daily, choose breathable shoes, and avoid sharing towels or footwear.
  4. Continue treatment for the full recommended time, even if it looks better earlier.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.