How Can You Treat Athletes Foot
There are many noninfective conditions that affect the foot, such as psoriasis and poison ivy. If you are unsure whether your problem is athletes foot , you should visit a physician. Your pharmacist may also be able to recognize the presence of athletes foot. Once athletes foot is confirmed, you may treat the problem with nonprescription products. Generally, OTC products are safer than prescription products, as they have fewer side effects. Used properly, nonprescription products may also cure athletes foot.
Your pharmacist can provide full counseling information on treatment options for athletes foot. You must read the labels carefully and follow all directions provided. Some products can be used in anyone aged 2 years and above, but they must be used twice daily for 4 weeks to produce a cure.
Another product must only be used in those aged 12 years and above, but it can cure athletes foot between the toes in 1 week if used twice daily or in 4 weeks if you choose to use it only once daily. However, it will not cure athletes foot on the bottom or sides of the feet, which is known as moccasin type.
Lamisil AT Cream can also cure athletes foot in those aged 12 years and above. The spray pump and solution forms only cure the condition between the toes if used twice daily for 1 week, but the cream can also cure the infection on the bottom and sides of the feet when used twice daily for 2 weeks.
How To Avoid Athletes Foot This Summer
Athletes foot is a fungal infection that affects the skin on your feet. It spreads easily and can be very uncomfortable. Though it often shows up on feet, it can spread to other parts of the body too especially the hands.
While it is not a serious medical condition, Athletes foot not something that you want to deal with. Unfortunately, the humid conditions of warm weather create the perfect environment for this fungus to grow.
Learn about the causes, symptoms and treatments so you can avoid getting athletes foot this summer.
How To Prevent Athletes Foot
Athletes foot is often preventable. Wearing shoes is advisable in the type of damp environments where athletes foot thrives, such as locker rooms, shared showers, saunas, and pool areas.
You should also avoid sharing towels and clothing in any environment, and avoid sharing bed linens or bath mats with anyone who has a known infection with athletes foot. Keep your feet dry as much as possible, including airing out your feet when youre at home.
In addition, you should wear properly fitting shoes with ventilation and cotton socks. If you notice that your feet are wet or sweaty, you should change into dry socks as soon as possible. Alternate your shoes when possible, allowing them to dry out completely between uses.
If you have an athletes foot infection, avoid touching it. Use caution when using towels, as you can spread the infection. You can easily spread the infection to your hands and to your groin, which will only make your discomfort worse.
If you have been treating your athletes foot at home with an over-the-counter antifungal medication like Tinactin®, Lamisil®, or Lotrimin®, schedule an appointment with your Run Doctor specialist. Contact us today or book an appointment online.
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A Pharmacist Can Help With Athlete’s Foot
Athlete’s foot is unlikely to get better on its own, but you can buy antifungal medicines for it from a pharmacy. They usually take a few weeks to work.
Athlete’s foot treatments are available as:
They’re not all suitable for everyone for example, some are only for adults. Always check the packet or ask a pharmacist.
You might need to try a few treatments to find one that works best for you.
What Causes Athlete’s Foot
The majority of athleteâs foot cases are caused by a variety of fungi all belonging to a group called dermatophytes, which also causes jock itch and ringworm. The fungi thrive in closed, warm, moist environments and feed on keratin, a protein found in hair, nails, and skin. Rarely, athleteâs foot can be caused by non-dermatophytes, like yeast .
Athlete’s foot is mildly contagious. It can be spread through direct contact with the infection and by skin particles left on towels, shoes, or floors.
Walking barefoot may increase your chance of contracting athlete’s foot. The risk of developing athlete’s foot can also depend on your susceptibility. For example,people who have impaired immune systems or diabetes are at greater risk of infection if they have an open cut or sore on their feet.
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Types Of Athlete’s Foot
The three types of athletes foot are:
- Interdigital, which most often occurs between the two smallest toes.
- Moccasin, which starts with the skin on the sole becoming thick and cracking. The infection may spread up the sides of the foot and infect the toenails.
- Vesicular, often starting with fluid-filled blisters on the sole of the foot. This type of athletes foot can also lead to a bacterial infection
Treatment For Athlete’s Foot From A Gp
The GP may:
- send a small scraping of skin from your feet to a laboratory to check you have athlete’s foot
- prescribe a steroid cream to use alongside antifungal cream
- prescribe antifungal tablets you might need to take these for several weeks
- refer you to a skin specialist for more tests and treatment if needed
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How Can I Reduce My Risk
There are many ways to reduce your risk of getting athletes foot:
- Thoroughly wash your feet and the skin between your toes with antibacterial soap.
- Dry your feet and the spaces between your toes after swimming or bathing.
- Apply talcum powder or antifungal powder to your feet to absorb moisture.
- Put on your socks before your underwear to prevent the fungus from spreading to your groin.
- Wear shoes or sandals that allow your feet to get air.
- Avoid wearing rubber or synthetic shoes for long periods.
- Allow your shoes to dry out for at least 24 hours between uses.
- Clean your shoes with disinfecting sprays or wipes.
- Wear cotton or wool socks that absorb moisture or socks made out of synthetic materials that wick away moisture.
- Wear sandals or flip-flops in communal locker rooms, pools, saunas or showers.
- Wash your socks, towels and bedding in hot water.
How You Get Athlete’s Foot
You can catch athlete’s foot from other people with the infection.
You can get it by:
- walking barefoot in places where someone else has athlete’s foot especially changing rooms and showers
- touching the affected skin of someone with athlete’s foot
You’re more likely to get it if you have wet or sweaty feet, or if the skin on your feet is damaged.
Page last reviewed: 08 June 2021 Next review due: 08 June 2024
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Recognizing And Eradicating Tinea Pedis
W. Steven Pray, PhD, DPhBernhardt Professor, Nonprescription Products and DevicesCollege of PharmacyWeatherford, Oklahoma
US Pharm
Pharmacists are often asked about treatment of minor medical conditions such as tinea pedis, commonly known as athletes foot. At times, patients may need confirmation that they actually have the condition. For this reason, it is important for the pharmacist to be able to recognize tinea pedis and provide appropriate advice in treating it and preventing its recurrence.
How Can Cherrywood Foot Care Help
If youve been dealing with an athletes foot alone this whole time, its no surprise you havent been able to beat it thoroughly. Fungal infections are notoriously hard to get rid of, which is why you should seek help from our team of expert podiatrists when an athletes foot becomes persistent. Treatments that are utilized here at Cherrywood Foot Care can include:
- Instructions on how you properly care for your feet.
- Prescription-strength fungal cream.
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What Is Athlete’s Foot
Athletes foot, also known as tinea pedis, is a contagious skin and foot infection caused by fungi. It usually starts between the toes, creating red and itchy scales.
Fungal infections like jock itch and ringworm are closely related to athletes foot, and while these can be treated, reinfection is common.
Chronic Scaly Athletes Foot
Multiple fungi can cause moccasin-type athletes foot, resulting in dry, scaling skin on the sole of the foot. The scale is very fine and silvery, and the skin underneath is usually pink and tender.
Your hands may also be infected, and the usual pattern of infection is two feet and one hand, or one foot and two hands. Less commonly, this infection can spread to other areas of the body.
Chronic scaly athletes foot is associated with fungal nail infections, which may lead to recurrent skin infections.
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When To See A Doctor For Athlete’s Foot
You can treat athletes foot with over-the-counter antifungal medications. However, you should see a foot care specialist if the rash does not respond within two weeks.
You should also see a doctor if you have diabetes and notice anything unusual on your feet, since skin infections are a common side effect of the condition.
Ask your doctor how to prevent the rash from spreading and what types of tests and treatments you might need
Causes Of Athletes Foot
The cause of athletes foot is tinea, which is a group of diseases that a fungus can cause. Its the same thing that causes jock itch and ringworm.
You get athletes foot by coming in contact with someone else who has it. And you dont have to touch the persons skin to get it. The fungus can spread from towels, socks, shoes and other items that come in contact with feet. Gyms and locker rooms are a prime condition for this fungus to thrive in, which is why its common among athletes.
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How To Get Rid Of Athlete’s Foot
There are numerous options for treating athlete’s foot. If the infection is mild , pay special attention to foot hygiene. Wash your feet regularly, and dry them thoroughly, especially between the toes. Apply an antifungal cream to the affected area, and dust your socks and shoes with antifungal powder. When shopping for over-the-counter remedies for athlete’s foot, look for products that contain clotrimazole, econazole, ketoconazole, miconazole, naftifine, oxiconazole, sulconazole, terbinafine, or terconazole.
Consult a foot care specialist if you see no improvement after two weeks of using over-the-counter remedies, if the infection is severe , or if you have diabetes or some other circulatory problem.
How Do I Avoid Athlete’s Foot
- Keep your feet clean and dry. The athlete’s foot fungus loves warm and moist conditions.
- Avoid sharing towels and communal bathing.
- Wash socks and shoes regularly, wear flip flops or sandals where possible.
- Use antifungal sprays to beat stubborn cases.
If persistent or if you feel unwell, seek medical advice.
The following tips may prevent athlete’s foot recurring:
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What Are The Signs & Symptoms Of Athlete’s Foot
Athlete’s foot usually causes redness, flakiness, peeling, or cracking of the skin on the feet. It may itch, sting, or burn, or simply feel uncomfortable.
It’s usually on the soles of the feet, the areas between the toes, and sometimes the toenails. When the toenails are involved they become thick, white or yellowish, and brittle.
How To Prevent Athlete’s Foot
How to prevent athlete’s foot
Athlete’s foot is a common fungal infection that most people get from walking barefoot in moist public places, like a swimming pool deck or locker room.
To reduce the chance of catching athlete’s foot, board-certified dermatologists recommend that you take the following precautions.
Despite the name, athletes foot can happen to anyone. It can result in flaky skin, cracking, and itchiness on the soles of the foot and between the toes.
To reduce the chance of catching athletes foot, dermatologists recommend that you take the following precautions:
Wear shower shoes, flip-flops, or sandals when walking around pools, gyms, shower or locker areas, and hotel rooms. The fungus that causes athletes foot may be on the floor. Even when taking a shower in a gym, it is important to wear shower shoes or flip flops.
Even if you have not gone barefoot in public areas, keep your feet dry. This fungus thrives in warm, moist areas such as the one created inside hot, sweaty shoes. Wearing sandals or flip-flops helps when its hot outside. Shoes that are made from synthetic materials like plastic and rubber are more likely to cause sweating.
Wash your feet every day with soap and completely dry them after washing.
Wear socks made of natural fabrics or fabrics that dry quickly or wick moisture away from the skin. Also, be sure to change your socks every day and more often when your socks get wet.
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When To See A Doctor
If youve tried treating your athletes foot on your own and it hasnt gone away, youll want to consult a doctor about your treatment options. They can provide an accurate diagnosis and medical advice, as well as a prescription for oral medication if needed. To find a doctor in your area, visit bannerhealth.com.
You may also want to check out these related articles, written with help from Banner Health experts:
Stopping Treatment Too Early
If you have a case of athletes foot and start treating it, you risk it returning if you stop treatment too soon. Make sure to follow the treatment instructions fully and dont stop using it before the recommended time.
If you have athletes foot and its not going away, or if it keeps coming back despite treatment, you should seek medical attention. Contact the Washington Foot & Ankle Sports Medicine providers or request an appointment online.
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How Is Athlete’s Foot Treated
Over-the-counter antifungal creams, sprays, or powders may solve the problem if it is mild. More serious infections may need prescription medicine, either topical or in pill form.
Whatever you use, continue treatment for as long as recommended, even if the rash seems to be getting better. If not, the infection can come back. Some people regularly use medicated foot powders and sprays to prevent this from happening.
Treatment Of Tinea Pedis
Tinea pedis may be treated with topical or systemic prescription therapies. Systemic oral medications carry the possibility of adverse reactions such as diarrhea or skin rash, making the relatively innocuous OTC products an attractive initial therapeutic choice.3,13-15 When recommending nonprescription products, pharmacists should stress the importance of adhering to the regimen, applying the substance as often as directed, and completing the full course of therapy as suggested on the label.
Nonprescription treatment of tinea pedis is categorized into three generations, with succeeding products presenting significant advantages.3,16 The first generation includes clotrimazole miconazole and tolnaftate . These are indicated for patients aged 2 years and above.3 The patient is directed to apply the product twice daily, and it must be applied for 4 weeks. The labels state that the products will cure tinea pedis but do not indicate any difference in efficacy for the three subtypes. These imidazole compounds are not fungicidal, as they only interrupt development of the membrane of growing fungal cells. Thus, they are only bacteriostatic, which accounts for their relatively long application time. Of the three compounds in this class, tolnaftate is the sole agent approved for preventing annual recurrences, but patients who experience yearly recurrences have not achieved the promised cure, making more effective products preferable.
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What Is An Athletes Foot
Athletes foot is a fungal infection that takes place on ones feet. While the name may have you thinking otherwise, anyone can contract this condition, not just an athlete. It commonly affects people with overly sweaty feet, as this fungal infection thrives in warm, damp places. It also affects those who choose to go barefoot in areas such as pools, locker rooms, or public showers. Those who are affected by this condition tend to deal with the following symptoms:
- Breaks or cracks in the skin.
- Stinging or burning sensations.
How Is Athletes Foot Treated
Athletes foot can often be treated with over-the-counter topical antifungal medications. If OTC medications dont treat your infection, your doctor may prescribe topical or oral prescription-strength antifungal medications. Your doctor may also recommend home treatments to help clear up the infection.
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What Will Happen If Athletes Foot Is Left Untreated
Athletes foot doesnt typically go away on its own. If its left untreated, it can spread to other areas of your body, including your:
- Nails: Fungal nail infections can be more difficult to treat. They are often more resistant to many treatments.
- Hands: A similar fungal infection can spread to your hands. This happens when you scratch your infected feet or use the same towel to dry off your infected feet and hands.
- Groin: The same fungus that causes athletes foot can also spread to your groin. Its a condition called jock itch. The fungus typically spreads from your feet to your groin after using a towel to dry off after bathing or swimming.
How Athletes Foot Is Treated
Athletes foot usually clears up with a simple course of antifungal medication. You can use over-the-counter antifungal medication but if it doesnt clear up within two weeks, you should come into our office.
If you have diabetes, you are more at risk for athletes foot, which may become worse. You should make an appointment to come see us immediately if you have athletes foot and diabetes, rather than trying to treat it by yourself. People with diabetes may experience secondary infections after athletes foot, including fever, excessive redness, swelling, or drainage.
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