Topical medications or topical antifungal agents that has miconazole, itraconazole, terbinafine and a keratolytic like salicylic acid are usually given to the patient to kill the fungus. However, topical medications only cure the infection of about 30 percent once the medication is applied. That is why doctors suggest that the patients use the medication for a specific period of time for the fungi to be eliminated. These fungi can often be found in moist areas such as locker rooms, gyms and poolside areas. People who suffer from athlete's foot will experience itchiness in the affected areas, often in between the toes. There will be redness and tenderness in those areas as well as the cracking of the skin. Athlete's foot may also cause the skin to break, resulting in blisters. Also, you can take necessary precautions by practicing good hygiene on your body at all times and at all costs. Fungus can be contagious because as the term breed connotes it spreads easily so if you have fungus make sure you stay away from people until you are cured already. It really is more of your affected area that you should keep people away from. Checking your shoes in relation to how it allows air to come in through it is also good. If ever you need to wear socks, make sure you change when you perspire heavily or whenever you feel uncomfortable. If all these measures failed and you now have to deal with Athlete s Foot then go to the nearest drug store because there are over the counter topical and oral medications available. There will also be scaling and unusual redness in the skin. Soon after, the affected area will crack and will blister. It is important that you do not scratch the affected area as touching it will cause the skin to open up and allowing the fungus to enter deep into the skin, thereby exacerbating the condition. This skin disease is experienced by a person or persons who keep/s their the feet and other areas of the body moist and warm without doing proper hygiene and thus leading to irritation of the upper layer of the skin where the fungus thrives. Athlete's Foot 101 A skin infection in the foot caused by a fungus called trichophyton, athlete s foot is also known tinea pedis.