Eczema on the feet and athlete’s foot can both cause itching and skin inflammation. However, eczema is typically more widespread and affects larger joints, whereas athlete’s foot usually affects the toes.

Despite their similar symptoms, the two conditions are unrelated. Environmental and genetic factors contribute to eczema, while athlete’s foot results from a fungal infection.

This article reviews the differences between athlete’s foot and eczema, including causes, treatments, outlook, and more.

Athlete's foot
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Athlete's foot on darker skin. Image credit: Wes Washington, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Athlete's foot.
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Athlete's foot on darker skin. Image credit: Dr Hari K Kasi, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Athlete's foot.
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Athlete's foot on lighter skin. Image credit: Ellington, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Eczema on the top of the foot.
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Foot eczema on lighter skin. Image credit: Care_SMC, CC BY-ND 2.0, via Flickr

Eczema on the hands and feet.
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Foot eczema on darker skin. Image credit: Sahana, S.; Chethana, S. G.; Kanthraj, G. R.; Betkerur, Jayadev. Allergens in Hand, Foot, and Hand–Foot Eczema: An Intercomparison by Patch Testing. Indian Journal of Dermatology 66(3): p 329, May–Jun 2021.

Eczema on four pairs of feet.
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Foot eczema on darker skin. Image credit: Agrawal, Prachi V.; Sharma, Yugal K.; Kumar, Ajay; Deora, Mahindra; Raheja, Aishwarya; Kharat, Rajeshri. Assessment of Impairment of Quality of Life in Foot Eczema and Correlation thereof with Epidemiological Data of its Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study. Indian Dermatology Online Journal 11(5).

Eczema and athlete’s foot both affect the skin and can cause itchy, discolored, and inflamed patches. However, they are distinct conditions with different causes, typical locations, and treatments.

One of the main differences is the underlying cause. Athlete’s foot derivesTrusted Source from fungal infections that affect the skin. The exact cause of eczema is unknown but is likely dueTrusted Source to environmental and genetic factors.

Athlete’s foot tends toTrusted Source affect the toes. Eczema typically affectsTrusted Source the joints, such as the elbows and knees, but it may also occur on the hands, neck, and feet.

Athlete’s foot should resolve with treatment, but subsequent infections can occur. Eczema typically requires long-term management to help prevent flare-ups.

The following table outlines the differences between athlete’s foot and eczema.

Can people transmit it?CausesSymptomsWhere it developsTreatment
Eczemano• genetics
• environmental factors, such as exposure to irritants, pollutants, and allergens		• itchiness
• dryness
• rough, scaly, or tough skin patches
• sensitive skin
• inflamed, discolored skin
• swelling in different areas
• oozing or crusting		can be anywhere on the body• topical steroids
• topical antihistamines
• emollient creams
• avoiding triggers, such as chemicals, allergens, and other substances
Athlete’s footyesfungus often contracted from moist public areasdiscolored, itchy skin fissures or scales, often between the toestypically between the toes but also elsewhere on the feet• antifungal creams and ointments
• oral medications

Eczema is an inflammatory skin condition that can cause dry, itchy patches of skin. There are seven types of eczema. The most common is atopic dermatitis, which leads some people to use the terms interchangeably.

A 2023 study suggests that over 204 millionTrusted Source people worldwide have atopic dermatitis. The National Eczema Association suggests that some form of eczema affects more than 31 million people in the United States alone. It can develop at any time.

Eczema can involve flare-ups, or flares. Flares are periods lasting several days to several weeks when symptoms worsen. Treatment and management strategies may help a person reduce the occurrence and severity of flares.

Eczema symptoms

Eczema symptoms can vary from person to person and can look different in different areas of the body.

The most common eczema symptom is itchiness. Other potential skin symptoms include:

  • dryness
  • rough, scaly, or tough patches
  • sensitive skin
  • inflamed, discolored skin
  • swelling in different areas
  • oozing or crusting

A person may have one, some, or all of the symptoms associated with eczema. Symptoms can occur anywhere on the body.

What causes eczema?

The exact cause of eczema is unknownTrusted Source. However, experts believe several factors can contribute to its development, including a person’s environment and genetics.

Environmental causes may include contact with certain irritants or allergens that cause skin inflammation. Examples include:

  • chemicals
  • fragrances
  • dyes
  • food
  • pet dander

Genetically, a person may have a filaggrin deficiency. This protein helps maintain moisture in the skin.

How to manage eczema

Treatment and management can depend on the severity of the eczema and its cause. For moderate to severe cases, a doctor may recommend medications such as topical steroids and oral antihistamines.

For milder cases, a person may be able to use over-the-counter creams and ointments that provide additional moisture to the skin, such as petroleum jelly.

A person should also try to avoid known triggers whenever possible. This can help prevent flares. A person can work with an allergist or another healthcare professional to help determine their triggers.

Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that transmitsTrusted Source through direct or indirect contact with people who have the infection. It is a form of ringworm.

People can help prevent infection by keeping their feet clean and dry and wearing footwear in moist or damp public areas, such as locker rooms.

Athlete’s foot causes an itchy, discolored rash that may affect the skin around and between the toes. Treatment typically involves topical or oral antifungal medications.

Athlete’s foot symptoms

Athlete’s foot causes fissures or scales on the skin that are often itchy and discolored. They typically occur between the toes but can also occur on other parts of the feet.

What causes athlete’s foot?

Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection. Dermatophyte fungi cause it. These fungi feed on keratin.

The infection can recur, which means a person must continue to take measures to help prevent infection.

How to manage athlete’s foot

People can help prevent athlete’s foot by keeping their feet dry and wearing footwear in moist public areas. If an infection develops, doctors may recommend a topical or oral antifungal medication.

People can take measures to prevent athlete’s foot infections and avoid eczema triggers. The following sections outline how.

Preventing athlete’s foot

People can help prevent athlete’s foot by:

  • avoiding walking barefoot in public, moist areas, such as pools, saunas, or locker rooms
  • washing feet every day with soap and dry them completely
  • alternating shoes daily and avoid using wet or moist shoes
  • keeping feet dry
  • not sharing shoes, socks, towels, or other linens with someone who has athlete’s foot

Preventing eczema

A person may be unable to prevent eczema entirely since genetics and environmental factors play a role. However, a person can take steps to avoid triggers and prevent flares, such as:

  • using stress reduction strategies, such as meditation
  • preventing dry skin by applying emollient moisturizers safe for eczema-prone skin
  • avoiding irritants, such as:
    • pollen
    • pet dander
    • harsh chemicals
    • soaps
    • dyes
    • perfumes

People may also wish to consider tracking their triggers and adapting their routines to reduce flares. For example, the effects of dry air on the skin in winter may require a different routine to that in the summer to help keep the skin moist.

A person may wish to contact a doctor if they develop an unfamiliar or severe rash that does not respond to treatment or resolve after a few days. A doctor can help diagnose and treat the rash.

While some peopleTrusted Source with eczema find it improves with age, regular flares are common. However, avoiding triggers and adopting a good skin care routine can help people manage the condition.

Athlete’s foot should clear with antifungal treatment. Reinfection is possible, but people can take precautions to help reduce the likelihood.

Athlete’s foot and eczema both cause itchy, inflamed skin. Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection, while eczema is likely to have genetic or environmental causes.

People can transmit athlete’s foot but not eczema. People can develop athlete’s foot when their skin comes in contact with the fungi that cause it. People can help prevent infection by avoiding walking barefoot in moist public places.

Treatments for the two conditions also differ. Athlete’s foot requires fungal creams. Eczema often clears with topical steroids and moisturizers.

People can eradicate an athlete’s foot infection, but people with eczema are likely to have recurrent periods of flares and remission.