Dermatophytes are the same fungus that causes athlete’s foot and toenail fungus. While both are contagious, athlete’s foot, a fungal infection of the skin, is more likely to induce toenail fungus than the other way around.
Toenail fungus is also contagious, but it’s hidden beneath the nail. In essence, the toenail acts as a barrier that prevents the surrounding tissue from getting infected. To put it simply, toenail fungus does not cause athlete’s foot. Instead, toenail fungus can start from athlete’s foot, which can readily spread to the toenails. As a result, it’s crucial to treat athlete’s foot until it’s entirely gone.
