Medically Reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM, FACFAS — Board-certified podiatrist & foot surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle | Last updated: May 2026
Quick Answer: What Foot Problems Do Swimmers Get Most Often?
Swimmers are at elevated risk for plantar warts (from pool deck exposure to HPV), tinea pedis (athlete’s foot from wet locker rooms), subungual hematomas from pushing off walls, and pool chemical irritation. Most infections are preventable with pool shoes, thorough foot drying, and antifungal powders. Plantar warts and toenail fungus require professional treatment once established — over-the-counter options rarely cure them. See a podiatrist if you notice any growth, discoloration, or persistent pain in the feet or nails.
Why Pools Are High-Risk Zones for Foot Infections
The pool deck is one of the highest-risk environments for foot health. Warm, moist surfaces combined with bare feet from dozens of people create ideal conditions for two major pathogens: the human papillomavirus (HPV, which causes plantar warts) and dermatophyte fungi (which cause tinea pedis and onychomycosis). Even well-chlorinated water doesn’t sanitize pool decks — the surfaces where swimmers walk between the pool and locker room are often untreated. I see a noticeable seasonal increase in plantar wart and toenail fungus cases every summer as swim season picks up in Michigan.
Competitive swimmers face additional mechanical injuries from repetitive push-offs against pool walls, flip turns that stress the ankle ligaments and toe joints, and fin use that creates pressure on the second and third toes. Distance swimmers and triathletes who transition from pool to bike or run also experience foot skin maceration — the softening and breakdown of skin from prolonged water exposure.
Plantar Warts: The #1 Pool-Acquired Foot Condition
Plantar warts (verruca plantaris) are caused by HPV strains 1, 2, 4, 27, and 57 infecting the superficial skin. The virus enters through tiny cracks or abrasions on the sole. On pool decks, changing rooms, and shared shower areas, viral load is high enough that even brief barefoot exposure creates risk. Unlike warts on the hand, plantar warts grow inward under the pressure of walking, making them painful and more difficult to treat.
| Feature | Plantar Wart | Callus/Corn | Foreign Body |
|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Pressure points, heel, ball | Any pressure area | Variable |
| Skin lines | Interrupted (wart disrupts lines) | Continuous (lines flow through) | May be disrupted |
| Pinch test | Painful with lateral squeeze | Painful with direct pressure | Variable |
| Black dots | Often present (thrombosed capillaries) | Absent | Absent |
| Treatment | Acid, cryotherapy, excision | Debridement, offloading | Removal, imaging |
Tinea Pedis (Athlete’s Foot) in Swimmers
Tinea pedis affects up to 25% of competitive swimmers at some point during their athletic career. The combination of prolonged moisture, warm pool temperatures, and shared changing areas creates near-ideal fungal growth conditions. The interdigital form (between the toes, especially 4th–5th toe space) is most common and presents as white, macerated, peeling skin with itching. The moccasin-distribution form, which creates dry scaling around the entire sole and sides of the foot, is more resistant to treatment and often extends to toenail infection.
Prevention is straightforward: wear pool shoes on deck and in changing areas, dry thoroughly between toes after every swim, apply antifungal powder to shoes and feet daily during swim season, and rotate footwear to allow full drying. For established infections, OTC clotrimazole or terbinafine creams work well for skin-only tinea. Once it spreads to the toenails, oral prescription antifungals are required — topicals cannot penetrate nail plate adequately.
Swimmer’s Toe: Subungual Hematoma from Push-Offs
Repetitive push-offs from pool walls create significant compressive and shear forces on the toenails, particularly the hallux (big toe) and second toe. When toe length doesn’t match shoe size or the push-off technique creates excessive toe-jamming, blood accumulates under the nail plate — a subungual hematoma. This appears as black or dark red discoloration under the nail and can be painful enough to disrupt training. In cases with significant pressure, draining through a small hole in the nail plate (trephination) provides immediate relief. Left untreated, the nail will loosen and eventually fall off. Recurring black toenails in swimmers usually indicate a technique or equipment issue worth addressing with their coach.
Skin Maceration and Pool Chemical Irritation
Extended immersion causes skin maceration — the white, wrinkled, softened appearance of skin that has absorbed excessive water. In itself this isn’t dangerous, but macerated skin loses its protective barrier function and becomes significantly more vulnerable to fungal and bacterial infection. Triathlete and open-water swimmers who spend 45+ minutes in water before a run or bike transition are especially at risk for blister formation as softened skin shears against socks and shoes.
Pool chemicals — primarily chlorine and occasionally bromine in indoor pools — can cause contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals, presenting as dry, itchy, or cracked skin on the feet. If you notice persistent dryness or irritation that correlates with swim sessions, try rinsing feet with fresh water immediately after exiting the pool, applying a barrier cream before swimming, and switching to a chlorine-neutralizing body wash. Severe cases may require a dermatology consultation for prescription barrier creams.
Most Common Mistake: Ignoring a Pool Wart Until It Spreads
⚠️ The mistake I see most: Swimmers notice a small, firm spot on their sole — maybe a little sore, maybe not — and assume it’s a callus. They keep swimming, keep walking barefoot on deck, and come back 6 months later with a mosaic wart cluster covering a 2cm area and seeded satellite warts on adjacent toes. Plantar warts autoinoculate — they spread to adjacent areas through direct contact. The longer you wait, the larger the viral load, the more sites are involved, and the harder treatment becomes. A single small wart treated early (acid therapy, a few clinic visits) versus a mosaic cluster (may require multiple cryotherapy sessions or surgical excision). Treat early. The pinch test is diagnostic: if squeezing the sides of the lesion hurts more than pressing directly on it, it’s a wart — not a callus.
Watch: Plantar Wart Treatment Explained by Dr. Tom
Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM explains how to identify plantar warts vs. calluses and what professional wart removal involves.
Swimmer’s Foot Care: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I swim with a plantar wart?
Technically yes, but you should wear waterproof pool socks or water shoes to prevent spreading the virus to pool surfaces where others walk barefoot. The wart itself won’t get worse from swimming, but chlorine water won’t kill it either — HPV is highly chlorine-resistant. You should also cover any open treatment sites (after acid or cryotherapy) and follow your podiatrist’s specific instructions. The most important thing is protecting others in shared pool environments.
How do I prevent toenail fungus as a swimmer?
Four practices make the biggest difference: wearing flip-flops in all pool deck, locker room, and shower areas; drying thoroughly between every toe after swimming (a hairdryer on low works well); applying antifungal powder to feet and shoes daily during swim season; and checking nails monthly for early thickening, yellowing, or brittleness. If you see early nail changes, start OTC topical ciclopirox nail lacquer immediately and see a podiatrist — early-stage onychomycosis has much higher treatment success rates than advanced infections.
Why do competitive swimmers get black toenails?
Black toenails in swimmers are almost always subungual hematomas from repeated trauma during push-offs and flip turns. The hallux (big toe) and second toe are most affected, particularly if toes jam against the front of swim fins or if there’s a toe length mismatch. Treatment depends on whether the hematoma is acute (first 24–48 hours, painful, pressurized) — in which case trephination provides relief — or chronic (painless black nail heading toward loss). Recurring black toenails warrant evaluation of fin sizing, push-off mechanics, and toenail trimming habits.
What should I do about blisters from wet feet during a triathlon?
Wet skin blisters form because softened post-swim skin has reduced friction tolerance. Prevention strategies: apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly or Body Glide to friction points (ball of foot, heels, between toes) before the swim; use moisture-wicking technical socks that wick water during the bike/run; wear shoes that are a half-size larger than your dry-land shoes to accommodate any foot swelling. If a blister forms during the race, leave it intact — the fluid provides cushioning and bacterial protection. Post-race, drain with a sterile needle at the edge, apply antibiotic ointment, and cover with a blister bandage for healing.
Can pool chemicals damage feet long-term?
Regular pool exposure rarely causes significant long-term foot damage in healthy individuals. However, people with eczema, psoriasis, or sensitive skin may experience chronic dryness, cracking, and irritation from chlorine stripping natural skin oils. The simple fix is rinsing feet immediately after exiting the pool and applying a fragrance-free moisturizer while skin is still slightly damp. If you develop persistent skin cracking at the heels or between toes that correlates with swim training, mention it to a podiatrist — fissured heels can become portals for bacterial entry, especially in diabetic patients.
Swimmer’s Foot Problem? See a Podiatrist
Dr. Tom Biernacki treats plantar warts, toenail fungus, swimmer’s toe, and all pool-related foot injuries at Balance Foot & Ankle in Howell and Bloomfield Township. Book online 24/7.
Book an Appointment Call (810) 206-1402Related Resources
- Toenail Fungus Treatment with Laser
- Athlete’s Foot Treatment Guide
- Black Toenail: Causes & Treatment
- Podiatrist-Recommended Shoes for Athletes
- About Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM FACFAS
Dr. Tom’s Aquatic Sport Recommendations
FLAT SOCKS — The barefoot feel without the sweat or fungal risk. Antimicrobial moisture-wicking liner — slides into any shoe for poolside or post-swim use.
Doctor Hoy’s Natural Pain Relief Gel — Natural arnica formula for overuse soreness common in competitive swimmers. Plant-based, FSA-eligible.
Disclosure: We earn a commission if you purchase — at no extra cost to you. We only recommend what we use in our clinic.
In-Office Treatment at Balance Foot & Ankle
If home treatment isn’t providing relief for your foot and ankle pain, our podiatry team at Balance Foot & Ankle can help with expert evaluations and advanced in-office care.
Book online 24/7. (810) 206-1402
Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM is a board-certified foot & ankle surgeon (ABFAS & ABPM) at Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists in Southeast Michigan. With over a decade of clinical experience, he specializes in heel pain, bunions, diabetic foot care, sports injuries, and minimally invasive surgery. Dr. Biernacki is a member of the APMA and ACFAS, and his patient education content on MichiganFootDoctors.com and YouTube has made him one of the most-followed foot & ankle educators on YouTube.