Athlete's foot - How common is it?

It's hard to say how many people get athlete's foot. Studies suggest that about 1 in 5 people have it. [4] [5] But many people treat themselves, so the records that doctors keep won't show everyone who has the infection. The real number of people affected could be much higher.

Adults are more likely than children to get athlete's foot.[4] And men get it more often than women do, although we don't know why.[5] [2] [1]

You're more likely to get athlete's foot in the winter because you wear shoes that cover your feet.[3] This may make them warm and sweaty. And the types of fungus that cause athlete's foot grow well in places that are warm and damp.

References

Hay RJ, Moore M. Tinea pedis. In: Champion RH, Wilkinson DS, Ebling FJG (editors). Textbook of dermatology. 6th edition. Blackwell Science, Oxford, UK; 1998.
Malcolm B. Tinea pedis. Practitioner. 1998; 242: 225.
O'Donnell M, et al. Tinea pedis. In: Lorimer D, French G, O'Donnell M (editors). Neale's disorders of the foot: diagnosis and management. 6th edition. Churchill Livingstone, London, UK; 2001.
Aste N, Pau M, Aste N, et al. Tinea pedis observed in Cagliari, Italy, between 1996 and 2000. Mycoses. 2003;46:p.38-41.
Cheng S, Chong L. A prospective epidemiological study on tinea pedis and onychomycosis in Hong Kong. Chinese Medical Journal (English). 2002; 115: 860-865.

This information does not replace medical advice. If you are concerned you might have a medical problem please ask your Boots pharmacy team in your local Boots store, or see your doctor.