Often, yes. Athlete's foot, known medically as tinea pedis, is a fungal infection of the skin of the foot. Toenail fungus, or onychomycosis, is a fungal infection of the nail. According to MedlinePlus, fungal nail infections often start after a fungal infection on the feet, so it helps to think of the skin and the nails as parts of the same problem.
Athlete's foot is a common infection caused by a fungus, and it most often affects the space between the toes. Typical symptoms include itching, burning, and cracked, scaly skin between the toes. People usually pick it up from damp surfaces such as showers, swimming pools and locker room floors, as MedlinePlus explains.
Fungus living on the skin around the toes can work its way under the edge of a toenail. Once it is established in the nail bed, the nail itself shields it, which is a large part of why nail infections are harder to clear than skin infections.
Dr. Marzano describes a toenail infection as involving three layers: the surface of the nail and the surrounding skin, the underside of the nail and the nail bed, and the deeper tissue beneath it. Our article on what causes fungal toenails and why it spreads goes into more detail.
Anyone can get athlete's foot or toenail fungus, but some people are more prone to them. Risk factors include:
Treating a nail infection while leaving athlete's foot untreated can leave a source of fungus right next to the nail. That is why Dr. Marzano's approach to fungal toenails includes a nightly topical medication applied not only to the nails but also to the skin of the toes and the soles. For the nail itself, treatment may include options such as the PinPointe laser.
Patience matters too. Even when treatment works, toenails grow slowly: the American Academy of Dermatology notes that toenails can take 12 to 18 months to regrow, and that nail fungus can return after it clears.
Simple daily habits lower the chance of picking up athlete's foot in the first place:
For more ways to keep a cleared infection from returning, see how to prevent toenail fungus from coming back.
See a podiatrist if athlete's foot does not clear up with over-the-counter care, keeps coming back, or if your toenails become thick, discolored or crumbly. Seek prompt care for spreading redness, swelling, warmth, pain, drainage or fever, which can signal a bacterial infection.
If you have diabetes or poor circulation, have cracked skin or any foot infection checked promptly, since small breaks in the skin can become serious more easily. This article is educational and cannot diagnose an individual patient's condition.
Westchester Podiatric Medicine treats athlete's foot and fungal toenails in Scarsdale, New York. Learn more about our fungal toenail treatment, or request an appointment if a skin or nail infection is not getting better.