Athlete’s Foot Treatment, Medications, Creams, & Sprays

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

• What Are the Treatments for Athlete’s Foot?
• Athlete’s Foot Medicine
• Hygiene for Athlete’s Foot
• Athlete’s Foot Natural Remedies
•  Can I Prevent Athlete’s Foot?

Most cases of athlete’s foot can be cured with over-the-counter antifungal products and basic good hygiene.  Athlete’s foot is caused by a fungal infection, so the way to get rid of it is to stop the fungus from growing.

If it’s not treated properly and promptly, athlete’s foot can be very stubborn. Even when you treat it with antifungal drugs, the infection may take several weeks to disappear and may come back after treatment.

More serious cases may need to be seen by a doctor.

Treatments for athlete’s foot include over-the-counter antifungal medications and good hygiene. Photo Credit: russaquarius / Getty Images

There are many types of over-the-counter antifungal powders, creams, gels, lotions, and sprays. You might have to try a few before you find one that works best for you.

Follow the instructions on the label of the product you buy. Generally, you apply them every day after you wash and dry your feet.  Continue treatment for 1-2 weeks after the infection has cleared to prevent it from recurring.

If the itchy rash on your feet doesn’t clear up after a couple of weeks, see your doctor. They can recommend a prescription cream or antifungal pills.

In addition to treatment, good foot hygiene is important when you have athlete’s foot.  Wash and dry your feet (including between the toes) every morning and evening. And make sure your feet get plenty of air. If you can’t go barefoot or wear sandals, wear synthetic socks that wick away moisture. Cotton tends to trap the moisture and promote fungal growth. 

Also:

• Wear shoes made of a porous material.
• Change socks or stockings daily.
• Don’t wear the same shoes day after day to allow them time to dry completely before wearing them again.  
• Wash your socks and towels in the hottest water possible.

Many people have their own ways to deal with athlete’s foot at home. There’s not much scientific research on how well these remedies work, but some have shown promise.

Tea tree oil. This oil comes from the leaves of a tree that grows in Australia. Because it can kill some types of bacteria and fungus, people have used it as a home remedy for many years.

When rubbed into your skin twice a day, tea tree oil may be able to reduce the itching, scaling, swelling, and burning of athlete’s foot. But it can take up to a month to see progress. And it doesn’t work for everyone.

Tea tree oil can cause a skin rash or trigger allergies. So talk with your doctor before you try it. They can suggest a tea tree product for you to try or explain how to dilute the oil to avoid side effects.

Never take tea tree oil by mouth since it can be toxic.

Bitter orange. This fruit has been used for years in Chinese medicine and by people who live in the Amazon rainforest.

Bitter orange oil is a natural fungus fighter. Besides athlete’s foot, it may help to clear up ringworm and jock itch.

One study found that when people applied a watered-down form of bitter orange oil to their feet three times a day, the fungus cleared up after a week or two.

Bitter orange can inflame your skin if you use it in its pure form. It can also make you more likely to get a sunburn, so be sure to protect your skin from the sun if you use it.

Ajoene from garlic. Ajoene is a chemical found in garlic that may ease symptoms of athlete’s foot. You can take it by mouth as an antifungal pill. You can also find it in gel form.

In one study, people who applied ajoene to their feet once a day saw their athlete’s foot symptoms go away after a week. This method might also help keep athlete’s foot from coming back.

Sunflower oil. Made from the pressed seeds of sunflowers, this oil has long been said to fight germs. Although athlete’s foot is not a germ, a brand called Oleozon, which contains ozone (another germ-killer), has been shown to get rid of athlete’s foot when applied to the feet. It’s unclear whether other brands of sunflower oil might work as well, but it may be worth trying.

Green tea. Nutrients in green tea called polyphenols have antifungal powers. Soak your feet in lukewarm green tea and you may notice less peeling and redness. 

But this method won’t work quickly. You may have to soak your feet every day for 3 months. And more studies are needed to prove that green tea can get rid of the fungus, not just make your feet feel and look better.

Sosa. People in rural parts of Mexico use leaves of the Solanum chrysotrichum plant, also called giant devil’s fig. Studies show that a cream made from an extract of this shrubby plant works as an antifungal for athlete’s foot. It could also prevent it from coming back.

But while studies show that sosa is safe to put on your skin, it may be hard to find.

Vinegar. Some people believe that soaking your feet in a mixture of water and vinegar will get rid of athlete’s foot. While a vinegar soak won’t do your feet any harm, there’s not enough research to prove it will do much good, either.

Athlete’s foot is contagious. So don’t go barefoot in public areas such as the pool or gym where many others have walked with bare feet.  And since moisture helps the fungus grow, cut your risk by keeping your feet clean and dry.

 Other sensible steps:

• Take your shoes off when you go home and let your feet be exposed to the air.
• Never share shoes, socks, or towels.
• Be doubly cautious if you take an antibiotic for another condition. The medication can kill beneficial bacteria that normally control the fungus that causes athlete’s foot.

Top Picks

Athlete’s Foot Treatment, Medications, Creams, & Sprays

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

• What Are the Treatments for Athlete’s Foot?
• Athlete’s Foot Medicine
• Hygiene for Athlete’s Foot
• Athlete’s Foot Natural Remedies
•  Can I Prevent Athlete’s Foot?

Most cases of athlete’s foot can be cured with over-the-counter antifungal products and basic good hygiene.   Athlete’s foot is caused by a fungal infection, so the way to get rid of it is to stop the fungus from growing.

If it’s not treated properly and promptly, athlete’s foot can be very stubborn. Even when you treat it with antifungal drugs, the infection may take several weeks to disappear and may come back after treatment.

More serious cases may need to be seen by a doctor.

Treatments for athlete’s foot include over-the-counter antifungal medications and good hygiene. Photo Credit: russaquarius / Getty Images

There are many types of over-the-counter antifungal powders, creams, gels, lotions, and sprays. You might have to try a few before you find one that works best for you.

Follow the instructions on the label of the product you buy. Generally, you apply them every day after you wash and dry your feet.  Continue treatment for 1-2 weeks after the infection has cleared to prevent it from recurring.

If the itchy rash on your feet doesn’t clear up after a couple of weeks, see your doctor. They can recommend a prescription cream or antifungal pills.

In addition to treatment, good foot hygiene is important when you have athlete’s foot.  Wash and dry your feet (including between the toes) every morning and evening. And make sure your feet get plenty of air. If you can’t go barefoot or wear sandals, wear synthetic socks that wick away moisture. Cotton tends to trap the moisture and promote fungal growth. 

Also:

• Wear shoes made of a porous material.
• Change socks or stockings daily.
• Don’t wear the same shoes day after day to allow them time to dry completely before wearing them again. 
• Wash your socks and towels in the hottest water possible.

Many people have their own ways to deal with athlete’s foot at home. There’s not much scientific research on how well these remedies work, but some have shown promise.

Tea tree oil.  This oil comes from the leaves of a tree that grows in Australia. Because it can kill some types of bacteria and fungus, people have used it as a home remedy for many years.

When rubbed into your skin twice a day, tea tree oil may be able to reduce the itching, scaling, swelling, and burning of athlete’s foot. But it can take up to a month to see progress. And it doesn’t work for everyone.

Tea tree oil can cause a skin rash or trigger allergies. So talk with your doctor before you try it. They can suggest a tea tree product for you to try or explain how to dilute the oil to avoid side effects.

Never take tea tree oil by mouth since it can be toxic.

Bitter orange. This fruit has been used for years in Chinese medicine and by people who live in the Amazon rainforest.

Bitter orange oil is a natural fungus fighter. Besides athlete’s foot, it may help to clear up ringworm and jock itch.

One study found that when people applied a watered-down form of bitter orange oil to their feet three times a day, the fungus cleared up after a week or two.

Bitter orange can inflame your skin if you use it in its pure form. It can also make you more likely to get a sunburn, so be sure to protect your skin from the sun if you use it.

Ajoene from garlic. Ajoene is a chemical found in garlic that may ease symptoms of athlete’s foot. You can take it by mouth as an antifungal pill. You can also find it in gel form.

In one study, people who applied ajoene to their feet once a day saw their athlete’s foot symptoms go away after a week. This method might also help keep athlete’s foot from coming back.

Sunflower oil. Made from the pressed seeds of sunflowers, this oil has long been said to fight germs. Although athlete’s foot is not a germ, a brand called Oleozon, which contains ozone (another germ-killer), has been shown to get rid of athlete’s foot when applied to the feet. It’s unclear whether other brands of sunflower oil might work as well, but it may be worth trying.

Green tea.  Nutrients in green tea called polyphenols have antifungal powers. Soak your feet in lukewarm green tea and you may notice less peeling and redness. 

But this method won’t work quickly. You may have to soak your feet every day for 3 months. And more studies are needed to prove that green tea can get rid of the fungus, not just make your feet feel and look better.

Sosa. People in rural parts of Mexico use leaves of the Solanum chrysotrichum plant, also called giant devil’s fig. Studies show that a cream made from an extract of this shrubby plant works as an antifungal for athlete’s foot. It could also prevent it from coming back.

But while studies show that sosa is safe to put on your skin, it may be hard to find.

Vinegar. Some people believe that soaking your feet in a mixture of water and vinegar will get rid of athlete’s foot. While a vinegar soak won’t do your feet any harm, there’s not enough research to prove it will do much good, either.

Athlete’s foot is contagious. So don’t go barefoot in public areas such as the pool or gym where many others have walked with bare feet.  And since moisture helps the fungus grow, cut your risk by keeping your feet clean and dry.

 Other sensible steps:

• Take your shoes off when you go home and let your feet be exposed to the air.
• Never share shoes, socks, or towels.
• Be doubly cautious if you take an antibiotic for another condition. The medication can kill beneficial bacteria that normally control the fungus that causes athlete’s foot.

Top Picks

Athlete’s foot – treatment, symptoms, causes, diagnosis

This is often called a fungal infection of the feet, more common in people involved in sports. Fungal lesions (mycoses) are caused by several types of fungi, with lesions in different parts of the foot and different visual manifestations. Mycosis of the feet is a contagious disease, and you can get infected by contact with the patient or his shoes. More often, infection occurs through contact with a surface contaminated with fungi (floors in a shower or locker room). The risk of infection in humans depends on the individual susceptibility of the organism. The older the person, the greater the chance of infection. If a person has had mycosis, then the risk of recurrence is quite high. People who are not susceptible to mycosis can be carriers of the disease and infect other people.

Risk factors

• Male gender. Men are more susceptible to foot fungus than women.
• Past history of fungal diseases
• The presence of reduced immunity (for diseases such as diabetes or cancer).
• Living in a warm, humid climate.
• Old age. Mycosis is more common in the older age group. Children rarely get sick with athlete’s foot.
• Prolonged exposure of feet to humidity.
• Wearing tight, poorly ventilated shoes.
• Walking barefoot in public locker rooms or showers
• Performing work involving prolonged contact with water.

Mycosis causes

Mycosis is caused by a fungus that develops on or in the top layer of the skin. Fungi thrive best in warm, moist places, such as between the toes.

Mycosis is very easily transmitted. You can become infected by touching the toes of a person who has the disease. But most often, people become infected when walking barefoot on contaminated surfaces near swimming pools or in locker rooms. Fungi begin to grow actively in shoes, especially tight ones, without air ventilation. In some cases, you can not get sick (in the absence of susceptibility), but become a carrier of the fungus and infect other people. As a rule, transferred mycosis does not guarantee that there will be no re-infection (quite the contrary).

Symptoms

Mycosis (athlete’s foot) may cause burning in the foot or between the toes and itching. The skin may become macerated and cracked. Symptoms depend on the location of the fungal infection (type of fungus).

• Fungal infection of the toe tissue usually occurs between the fourth and fifth toes. The skin becomes scaly, thinner, and cracks appear. In some people, a fungal infection is accompanied by a secondary bacterial infection, which leads to even more damage to the skin tissues.
• A fungal infection (such as a moccasin) may start with a slight soreness in the foot. The skin on the base or sole of the foot thickens and cracks. In severe cases, toenails may be affected (thickening of the nails, crumbling and sometimes falling out of the nails occur). Mycosis of the nails requires separate treatment.
• Fungal infection of the vesicular type. Usually manifested by the sudden appearance of small fluid-filled blisters under the skin. Bubbles are usually found at the base of the foot. But they can appear anywhere on the foot. It is also possible to combine a fungal infection with a bacterial one

Athlete’s Foot Diagnosis

Diagnosis is based on a visual examination of the foot by a physician. The doctor may be interested in the presence of concomitant pathology and possible ways of infection with the fungus. In addition, the doctor needs to take a scraping for microscopic examination. In most cases, treatment is carried out at home with drugs sold in pharmacies without a prescription.

Over-the-counter drugs are used first. These are drugs such as lamisil, mikatin, clotrimazole. These drugs are applied topically in the form of ointments.

In severe mycosis, it is possible to use stronger drugs (as prescribed by a doctor) such as naphthine or mentaxa.

Oral drugs are prescribed only in severe cases and for a short period of time (due to the presence of pronounced side effects). For example, it is Diflucan or Sporanox.

In case of damage to the nails, the affected nails are removed using special applications.

When combined with a bacterial infection, antibiotics may be prescribed.

Athlete’s Foot Prevention

• Keeping the Foot Dry
• Wiping the spaces between the fingers dry after swimming or showering
• Wearing shoes with adequate ventilation
• Wearing shoes with socks
• Wearing cotton socks
• Use talc or antifungal powder if sweating occurs
• Shoes must be aired for at least 24 hours after the next wear
• Wearing slippers in public places (pool, changing room, shower).

Athlete’s foot | Medical guide. Diseases

Athlete’s foot can appear not only in an athlete, but also in any other person. The name of this pathology is due to the fact that athletes are more likely to be affected by it, because the infection is usually found in locker rooms, showers, and in addition, physical exercises make the legs warmer and wetter. Tight-fitting sneakers can also provoke the disease.

What is an athlete’s foot?

This is a fairly common fungal disease. In most cases, this type of mycosis is hardly noticeable. Many people do not pay attention to cracked heels, hard skin, corns. Only when the skin begins to peel off strongly, purulent blisters appear between the fingers, and an unpleasant smell begins to emanate from the legs, it becomes clear that you need to see a doctor.

Qualified specialists with extensive experience work at the Health Clinic on Kurskaya. They will be able to determine the presence of pathology in its early stages of development and prescribe treatment, which will soon lead to recovery. The clinic has its own diagnostic base, so patients can go through all the necessary diagnostics and make an appointment with a doctor without leaving the medical institution.

Causes

Mycosis is caused by a fungal infection that develops on the top layer of the skin. The fungus feels better in an important and warm environment, so the area between the fingers is most often affected.

A fungal infection is quite easily betrayed, infection can occur as follows:

– touching the toes of a sick person;
– walking barefoot on contaminated surfaces – swimming pools, changing rooms, showers;
– wearing tight shoes – fungi actively grow without air ventilation;
– rare change of socks;
– the presence in the past of fungal diseases;
– weakened immunity;
– living in a humid warm climate;
– elderly age;
– long stay of feet in humidity;
– performance of works that are associated with prolonged contact with water.

Sometimes, with immunity, the symptoms of the disease may be absent, but in this case the person becomes a carrier of the fungus. You also need to know that transferred mycoses do not guarantee the impossibility of re-disease, but rather, on the contrary, increase the risks.

What types of diagnostics are needed

The diagnosis of athlete’s foot is based on asking the patient about the symptoms and examining the affected areas. If necessary, the doctor may take a skin sample for examination in order to exclude other skin infectious pathologies. Sometimes a fungal culture is taken for cultivation in the laboratory, this is necessary to accurately determine the strain of the fungus. The process is quite lengthy – it can take about 3 weeks.

Treatment methods

It is very important to start treating a fungal infection in the early stages. If you attack the fungus at the very beginning of its reproduction, it will quickly die.

For treatment, topical antifungal drugs are used. Duration – 2-4 weeks.

If there are additional infections that affect large areas of the skin, oral medication is necessary.

If left untreated, the fungus can affect the nails, in advanced cases, the affected nail plates are removed surgically.

Results

With timely access to a specialist, the prognosis is favorable, however, the infection can become chronic and recurrent. Therefore, treatment requires consistency and regularity.

Rehabilitation and lifestyle restoration

A patient with an athlete’s foot must understand what is contagious to others. He needs to take all precautions so as not to spread the fungal infection among his household members.

To quickly get rid of foot fungus, in addition to medicines, you must adhere to the following rules:

– wash your feet thoroughly and often with soap;
– after washing, it is very good to dry your feet, not forgetting the area between the toes;
– wear clean cotton socks;
– regularly change socks and shoes so that the feet always remain dry;
– do not let your own towels be used and do not use other people’s, and also make sure that they are washed frequently.

As a prevention of relapse, it is necessary:

– daily wash your feet with soap;
– reduce sweating on the legs with talcum powder;
– avoid tight shoes, especially in the hot season;
– change towels and bed linen more often;
– do not wear socks on wet feet;
– wear plastic slippers in common showers and changing rooms;
Don’t wear someone else’s shoes and don’t let you wear your own.