Is Athlete's Foot Contagious?

Trichophyton, the athlete's foot fungus is known as a dermatophyte. And dermatophytes are subdivided into three groups; -

• Geophile - fungus that prefers soil
• Zoophile - fungus that prefers animals
• Anthropophile - fungus that prefers humans

The main anthropophile species are Microsporum, Epidermophyton and Trichphyton, and they are commonly referred to as ringworm.

These fungi can be found on many surfaces where people walk barefoot such as gyms, swimming pools and locker rooms. They spread via person to person contact.

Everybody has at least one type of athlete's foot fungus on their body, though it doesn't necessarily mean than an infection will follow. The ringworm will only thrive on you if your skin offers a nice warm and moist environment. Between sweaty toes is an ideal home for them. Drying between toes after bathing or swimming is an effective way of keeping the fungus at bay.

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The fungus can also spread to other parts of the body such as the toenails. Athlete's foot on the hand is not has common as the foot infection, but it does occur because they are the parts of the body that come into contact with infected feet more often. The infection is then known as tinea manuum and the symptoms are very similar to athlete's foot with red and itchy skin. The sides of fingers and creases in the palm are the most commonly affected areas.

The infection usually spreads to the hands when a person touches their infected feet and fails to wash their hands afterwards.

Athlete's foot is contagious and can be spread from one person to another, and by coming into contact with contaminated surfaces such as towels and changing room floors. However, not everyone is infected. There have been studies that have shown that some people who have shared the same bathroom facilities with an infected person (i.e. spouse or sibling) for years, do not themselves become infected. The cause of this protection is unknown, but studies are starting to reveal what makes some people get fungal infections as opposed to others who don't.