Skip to main content

  • Can the fungi from athlete’s foot be transferred to the eye?


    Question:

    Can the fungi from athlete’s foot be transferred to the eye due to contact from hands to the mucus membrane after contact with the afflicted foot/fungi? I'm experiencing symptoms of an eye infection the day after having contact with my athlete’s foot.


    Answer:

    Athlete’s foot is caused by the fungus Tinea, or ringworm. It is typically spread by direct contact and burrows in dead, keratinized skin cells. Since the eye is covered with non-keratinized cells (similar to the inside of the mouth), ringworm does not infect these regions. However, ringworm can cause an infection of the surrounding eyelid skin. The surface of the eye is susceptible to other fungal infections such as Candida.

    This question was originally answered on Aug. 19, 2013.


    Answered By:

    Infections General Eye Health