The first step in treating athlete s foot is by developing a basic routine. This routine should include means of keeping the feet or the infected area always clean and dry. Since the athlete s foot causing fungi thrive in moist, damp and warm areas, you should make sure that you eliminate possible environments for it to grow. Technically, athlete s foot is caused by a fungal infection that transpires between the fourth and fifth toes of a person. It is caused by a fungus that grows on or in the top layer of human skin that result to infections. Fungi the primary cause of athlete s foot are known to thrive in warm, dark, and moist areas like inside of the shoes. Regularly wash your feet with soap and water to keep it clean. Try not to walk around damp areas such as shower and locker rooms on barefoot. You might be risking getting infected by doing so. Try also to avoid using towels as well as shoes or socks by others. Doing this can help easily transmit athlete's foot as well as other fungal infections from one person to another. What Does Athletes Foot Look Like There are other conditions that mimic Athlete s Foot that we should be aware about like that of simple disturbances in the body s sweat mechanism, reaction to certain components of the shoes like dyes or adhesives with weird chemical combinations, eczema and psoriasis. Also known as Tinea Pedis, athlete's foot is a fungus infection caused by a type of fungus known as dermatophytes. They breed and multiply in warm and damp places of which the feet can provide as an ideal environment. Dermatophytes also live off your dead skin cells which really make your feet the best area for them to thrive. Walking barefoot can cause so much trouble for you in terms of contracting all kinds of fungi and bacteria. Athlete's foot will often cause itchiness in the toes particularly in the creases in between the toes. There will also be a lot of redness and scaling in the affected areas. When not treated, the infection can lead to blisters on the skin and yellowed toenails.