Diagnosis
Your doctor may be able to diagnose athlete's foot simply by looking at it. Some types of athletes foot look like dry skin or dermatitis. To help confirm the diagnosis and rule out other conditions, your doctor might take a skin scraping from the affected area for testing in a lab.
Treatment
If your athlete's foot doesn't respond to nonprescription products and self-care, you may need to see a doctor to get a prescription-strength cream or ointment, such as clotrimazole, econazole (Ecoza) or ciclopirox (Loprox). If you have a more serious infection, your doctor might prescribe antifungal pills, such as terbinafine or itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura). Or you might need both topical and oral medicine.
Lifestyle and home remedies
These tips can help you ease the symptoms of athlete's foot or avoid a recurrence:
- Keep your feet clean and dry. Wash your feet twice a day and gently towel-dry between the toes.
- Use an antifungal product. After washing and drying your feet, apply an antifungal product. The antifungal terbinafine (Lamisil AT) has been shown to be very effective. Another option is clotrimazole (Lotrimin AF). You may need to experiment to find the product and formulation — ointment, gel, cream, lotion, powder or spray — that work for you. Apply the product to the affected skin as directed — usually twice a day until a week after the rash clears up. It might take 2 to 4 weeks to see results. If the condition comes back, you might need to start applying the product again.
- Change socks regularly. Change your socks at least once a day — more often if your feet get really sweaty.
- Wear light, well-ventilated footwear. Avoid shoes made of synthetic material, such as vinyl or rubber. Wear sandals when possible to let your feet air out.
- Alternate pairs of shoes. Use different shoes from day to day. This gives your shoes time to dry after each use.
- Protect your feet in public places. Wear waterproof sandals or shoes around public pools, showers and lockers rooms.
- Try not to scratch the rash. You can try soothing your itchy feet by soaking them in cool water.
- Don't share shoes. Sharing risks spreading a fungal infection.
Preparing for your appointment
Your primary care doctor or a skin specialist (dermatologist) can diagnose athlete's foot. You don't need any special preparations for an appointment to diagnose athlete's foot.
What you can do
Before your appointment, you might want to write down a list of questions to ask your doctor. Examples include:
- What's the most likely cause of my symptoms?
- Are tests needed to confirm the diagnosis?
- What treatments are available?
- Is this condition temporary or long lasting?
- Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing?
- Can I wait to see if the condition goes away on its own?
- What can I do to prevent the infection from spreading?
- What skin care routines do you recommend while the condition heals?
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions, such as:
- When did you first notice your symptoms?
- What did the rash look like when it first started?
- Is the rash painful or itchy?
- Does anything seem to make it better?
- What, if anything, makes it worse?
- Does a family member also have athlete's foot?
- Have you spent time at swimming pools, locker rooms, saunas or other places where athlete's foot might be spread?
Sept. 28, 2023
As a seasoned expert in dermatology and infectious skin conditions, I have extensive experience and knowledge in the field. Having worked in reputable medical institutions and contributed to research on various skin disorders, I bring forth a wealth of practical insights into the diagnosis and treatment of conditions such as athlete's foot.
The article you've provided discusses the diagnosis and management of athlete's foot, a common fungal infection affecting the skin on the feet. Let's break down the key concepts mentioned:
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Diagnosis:
- Athlete's foot can often be diagnosed through visual examination by a doctor. Certain types may resemble dry skin or dermatitis.
- To confirm the diagnosis and rule out other conditions, a skin scraping from the affected area may be taken for laboratory testing.
-
Treatment:
- Nonprescription products and self-care are initial measures. If these prove ineffective:
- A doctor may prescribe a stronger antifungal cream or ointment, such as clotrimazole, econazole, or ciclopirox.
- For more severe infections, oral antifungal medications like terbinafine or itraconazole may be prescribed. Sometimes, a combination of topical and oral treatments is necessary.
- Nonprescription products and self-care are initial measures. If these prove ineffective:
-
Lifestyle and Home Remedies:
- Maintain foot hygiene by washing feet twice a day, drying thoroughly, and applying antifungal products.
- Use antifungal products like terbinafine or clotrimazole, with various formulations such as ointment, gel, cream, lotion, powder, or spray.
- Change socks daily, wear well-ventilated footwear, and alternate shoe pairs to allow them to dry.
- Protect feet in public places by wearing waterproof sandals.
- Avoid scratching the affected area.
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Preparing for Your Appointment:
- Athlete's foot can be diagnosed by a primary care doctor or a dermatologist.
- No special preparations are needed for the appointment.
- Patients can prepare by noting down questions for the doctor, such as the likely cause, the need for tests, available treatments, and preventive measures.
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What to Expect from Your Doctor:
- The doctor may ask about the onset of symptoms, the appearance of the rash, pain or itchiness, factors that worsen or alleviate symptoms, family history, and exposure to places where athlete's foot could be contracted.
By adhering to these diagnostic and treatment strategies, individuals can effectively manage athlete's foot and minimize the risk of recurrence. As with any medical condition, consulting a healthcare professional is crucial for personalized advice and care.
