The fungi are called dermatophytes, and they like to grow in warm, moist places, like the insides of your sweaty shoes. The infection is called tinea pedis, from the Latin word for "foot."

Tinea is the general name for a group of skin infections, named for the part of the body affected. Tinea pedis is athlete's foot. Jock itch is tinea that affects the groin area and is called tinea cruris, from the Latin word for "leg." Ringworm that affects the body is called tinea corporis, from the Latin word for "body." Ringworm of the scalp is called tinea capitis, from the Latin word for "head."

You can pick up the fungus that causes athlete's foot in warm, moist places the fungus likes to grow. Public pools and showers are good breeding grounds for the fungus, as are sweaty shoes.

The affected area may also develop cracks in the skin or inflammation. The primary site on the foot for this infection is between the toes, but it may also occur on the heels. The infection may also affect the palms and fingernails.

Athlete's foot usually can be cleared up by keeping the feet clean and dry and by using over-the-counter or prescription creams and powders to fight the infection.

Always wear dry socks. If your feet sweat a lot, consider alternating pairs of shoes, so you don't wear the same pair from day to day. Some people wear flip-flops in public showers or pools to prevent contracting the fungus, but research has found that thoroughly drying your feet after using these facilities is the best preventive measure. Using a blow dryer on your feet, particularly between the toes, works better than a towel.

This is a potentially serious bacterial skin infection. If you have diabetes, cellulitis may develop from even mild forms of athlete’s foot due to the cracks in the skin. Therefore, prevention and treatment of athlete’s foot is especially important if you have diabetes. Cellulitis is treated with antibiotics.