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FUNGAL SKIN SPECIALISTS • 4 CHICAGO-AREA LOCATIONS

Athlete’s Foot Treatment in Chicago, IL

Athlete’s foot (tinea pedis) is one of the most common fungal infections — itchy, scaly, and frustratingly persistent without proper treatment. Our Chicago podiatrists diagnose and treat athlete’s foot effectively, including chronic and resistant cases.

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1 in 5Adults Affected
4Chicagoland Locations
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What Is Athlete’s Foot?

Athlete’s foot (tinea pedis) is a fungal infection of the skin of the foot caused by dermatophyte fungi. It thrives in warm, moist environments — locker rooms, pools, and sweaty shoes — and spreads easily through skin contact and contaminated surfaces.

Common symptoms include itching, burning, and stinging between the toes; peeling, cracking, or scaling skin on the soles or sides of the foot; blisters or raw, moist skin; and in some cases, secondary bacterial infection.

Over-the-counter antifungal treatments often provide temporary relief, but recurrence is common without proper diagnosis and treatment strategy. Chronic or resistant athlete’s foot requires professional evaluation.

How We Treat Athlete’s Foot

First-Line

Topical Antifungal Therapy

Prescription-strength topical antifungals (clotrimazole, terbinafine, miconazole) are significantly more effective than OTC products. We identify the infection type and prescribe the most appropriate agent.

Resistant Cases

Oral Antifungal Medication

For stubborn, widespread, or chronic infections that haven’t responded to topical treatment, oral antifungal therapy provides systemic coverage to eliminate the infection from within.

Secondary Infection

Bacterial Infection Management

Open skin from athlete’s foot can allow bacterial entry. We identify and treat any secondary bacterial infections with appropriate antibiotics — oral or topical.

Long-Term

Recurrence Prevention

Treating the active infection is only half the battle. We provide personalized guidance on footwear, moisture control, environmental hygiene, and preventive antifungal use to stop athlete’s foot from coming back.

4 Chicagoland Locations

Expert podiatric care close to home — Downtown Chicago, Elmhurst, Flossmoor, and Tinley Park.

Michigan Avenue — Chicago

30 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 1220, Chicago, IL 60602

(312) 701-0770

Mon–Fri 8am–5pm

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Elmhurst, IL

277 N York St, Elmhurst, IL 60126

(312) 701-0770

Mon–Fri 9am–5pm

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Flossmoor, IL

19801 Governors Hwy #150, Flossmoor, IL 60422

(708) 799-2900

Mon–Fri 9am–5pm

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Tinley Park, IL

6703 W 159th St Suite 107, Tinley Park, IL 60477

(708) 799-2900

Mon–Fri 9am–5pm

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Frequently Asked Questions

Athlete’s foot typically causes itching, burning, or stinging between the toes or on the soles of the feet; peeling, cracking, or scaly skin; occasional blisters; and sometimes a moccasin-like pattern covering the sole and sides of the foot. A podiatrist can confirm the diagnosis with a clinical exam and, when needed, a skin scraping to rule out other conditions like eczema or psoriasis.

Mild cases may improve with consistent OTC antifungal treatment and good foot hygiene, but athlete’s foot rarely resolves completely without proper treatment — and commonly recurs. Chronic or resistant cases require prescription-strength antifungals, and the underlying environmental and footwear factors that allow the fungus to thrive must also be addressed.

Topical antifungal treatment typically takes 2 to 4 weeks for mild-to-moderate infections. Severe, widespread, or nail-involved infections treated with oral antifungals may require 4 to 12 weeks. It is important to complete the full course of treatment even if symptoms improve early, as stopping too soon leads to relapse.

Yes. Athlete’s foot spreads through direct skin contact and through contaminated surfaces such as locker room floors, pool decks, and shared shoes or towels. To reduce transmission risk, avoid walking barefoot in shared spaces, never share footwear or towels, and treat infections promptly.

Yes — untreated athlete’s foot is a common cause of fungal nail infections (onychomycosis). Once the fungus invades the nail, it becomes significantly harder to treat. If you notice thickening, discoloration, or crumbling of the toenails alongside skin symptoms, mention this to your podiatrist so both conditions can be treated simultaneously.

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Clear Your Skin. Stop the Itch.

Don’t let athlete’s foot keep coming back. Our Chicago podiatrists will diagnose your infection accurately and create a treatment plan that actually works long-term.

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(312) 701-0770  |  [email protected]

Medically reviewed by Dr. Mohammad Usman, D.P.M. — Podiatric Physician & Foot & Ankle Surgeon. Featured in Forbes, CNN, The Wall Street Journal, Bustle, and Medscape.

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