The NHS has issued a warning on its website, alerting people to a "common" issue. Urging people to seek help, it notes that if not treated, it could spread.

On its official website, it discusses athlete's foot - a "common fungalinfection that affects the feet." Whilst it can be treated, such as with cream from a pharmacy, it can return many times.

However, as mentioned, if left untreated, it could spread to your nails and cause a more severe fungal infection. Many people can contract it for various reasons - you can even catch it from others.

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You're more at risk of getting it if you:

• walk barefoot in places where someone else has athlete's foot – especially changing rooms and showers


• touch the affected skin of someone with athlete's foot


• have wet or sweaty feet


• have skin on your feet that is damaged

Symptoms of athlete's foot

• Itchy white patches between your toes


• Sore and flaky patches on your feet - the skin can look red, but this may be less noticeable on brown or black skin


• Your skin may become cracked or bleed


• Your soles or sides of your feet may develop fluid-filled blisters

It's best to seek help straight away. Whilst not a medical emergency, "if it's not treated, the infection can spread to your toenails and cause a fungal nail infection."

You can get help from your local pharmacy or a GP, but it's "unlikely" that it will improve on its own. It's for this reason that it is wise to seek help and buy antifungal medicines (creams, sprays or powders) from a pharmacy which usually take a few weeks to work.

See a GP

You have athlete's foot and:

• treatments from a pharmacy do not work


• you're in a lot of pain


• your foot or leg is hot, painful and red (the redness may be less noticeable on brown or black skin) – this could be a more serious infection


• the infection spreads to other parts of your body such as your hands


• you have diabetes – foot problems can be more serious if you have diabetes


• you have a weakened immune system – for example, you have had an organ transplant or are having chemotherapy

How to prevent athlete's foot

Do

• dry your feet after washing them, particularly between your toes – dab them dry rather than rubbing them




• use a separate towel for your feet and wash it regularly




• wear clean socks every day – cotton socks are best

Don’t

• do not scratch affected skin – this can spread it to other parts of your body




• do not walk around barefoot – wear flip-flops in places like changing rooms and showers




• do not share towels, socks or shoes with other people




• do not wear the same pair of shoes for more than 2 to 3 days in a row




• do not wear shoes that make your feet hot and sweaty