Final answer:
Fungal infections such as athlete's foot cause redness, itching, and dry, cracked skin between the toes. Pain can occur in severe cases. Candida infections also cause itchy rashes and brittle nails, treatable with antifungal medications.
Step-by-step explanation:
The symptoms of a fungal infection between the toes or under the arch, often referred to as athlete's foot (tinea pedis), include skin changes such as redness, itching, burning, and peeling of the skin. There might also be dry, cracked skin between the toes which can sometimes lead to maceration (softening and breakdown of the skin due to prolonged exposure to moisture). While pain is not the most common symptom, it can occur in more severe or advanced cases, particularly when skin fissures or secondary bacterial infections are present due to the compromised skin integrity.
Candida species can also cause infections of the skin and nails, seen in conditions such as cutaneous candidiasis and onychomycosis (tinea unguium). These infections may present with symptoms like red, itchy rashes and yellow, brittle nails that are prone to breaking. Both dermatophytic skin infections and candidiasis are typically treatable with topical antifungal medications, though more persistent cases may require oral medications.