Athlete’s foot is highly treatable with nonprescription, over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Your chosen treatment should be used for two to four weeks.
Medication Options
OTC antifungal creams, gels, lotions, sprays, and powders for athlete’s foot should contain one of the following active ingredients:
Your doctor may also recommend prescription oral antifungal medicines — examples include terbinafine (Lamisil) or itraconazole (Sporanox) — or oral antibiotics for any bacterial infections that may develop.
There are also prescription topical creams designed to kill the fungus that causes athlete’s foot.
Alternative and Complementary Therapies
For athlete’s foot, some people swear by home remedies such as tea tree oil or footbaths that contain certain herbal products. However, there have been very few studies evaluating the effectiveness of these remedies for athlete’s foot, and what few exist have yielded conflicting results.
One study found that a 50 percent tea tree oil solution cured athlete’s foot in about two-thirds of people. The only side effect was minor skin irritation, and that affected nearly 4 percent of study participants.
In addition to tea tree oil, a compound in garlic called ajoene has been shown to have antifungal properties, and some research suggests that it’s effective against tinea pedis.However, in the United States, this compound can be found only as an ingredient in garlic supplements, and it’s unclear whether these products can help with athlete’s foot.
Prevention of Athlete’s Foot
Steps you can take to prevent athlete’s foot include:
- Keeping feet clean and dry
- Washing your feet with soap after exercising
- Avoiding wearing heavy, closed shoes or thick socks
- Changing socks often
- Making sure socks are washed between uses
- Using antifungal foot powder on feet and in shoes
- Wearing flip-flops in gym showers or locker rooms to avoid contact with fungi
- Airing your feet out by taking your shoes off, or wearing sandals, as often as possible
- Avoiding public swimming pools and public showers
- Not sharing with others items used during exercise (equipment, towels, etc.)
Try wearing only cotton socks, which are more effective at absorbing sweat. If possible, choose footwear made with breathable materials, such as leather. Shoes made of vinyl and similar materials can retain sweat and create an environment for fungi to grow. When you’re doing laundry, consider using hot water and bleach, which can kill fungi in ways detergent can’t.
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FAQs
Overview. Athlete's foot (tinea pedis) is a fungal skin infection that usually begins between the toes. It commonly occurs in people whose feet have become very sweaty while confined within tight-fitting shoes. Signs and symptoms of athlete's foot include an itchy, scaly rash.
What is athlete's foot prevention? ›
Wear shower shoes, flip-flops, or sandals when walking around pools, gyms, shower or locker areas, and hotel rooms. Even if you have not gone barefoot in public areas, keep your feet dry. Wash your feet every day with soap and completely dry them after washing.
How is the diagnosis of athlete's foot made? ›
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.
What is the cause of athlete's disease? ›
Athlete's foot is an infection of the feet caused by fungus. The medical term is tinea pedis or ringworm of the foot.
What's the best treatment for athlete's foot? ›
Over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription antifungal creams, ointments, gels, sprays or powders effectively treat athlete's foot. These products contain clotrimazole, miconazole, tolnaftate or terbinafine. Some prescription antifungal medications for athlete's foot are pills.
Do you need to treat 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.
Is Athlete's Foot easy to treat? ›
Athlete's foot likely won't go away on its own. While some mild cases of athlete's foot may go away on their own with proper care, it's best to seek medical attention to prevent the infection from worsening or spreading to other parts of your body.
What are 5 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.
What is the main cause of athlete's foot? ›
Athlete's Foot Causes
The majority of cases are caused by a variety of fungi that also causesjock itch and ringworm. The fungi thrive in closed, warm, moist environments and feed on keratin, a protein found in hair, nails, and skin. Rarely, athlete's foot can be caused by fungi like yeast (candida).
What kills foot fungus fast? ›
Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide can effectively kill the fungus on the surface level of the foot, as well as any surface bacteria that could cause an infection. Pour hydrogen peroxide directly onto the affected area. Note that it may sting, and it should bubble, especially if you have open wounds.
Many natural or home remedies can be helpful in killing the fungus that causes athlete's foot.
- Tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) Share on Pinterest Studies suggest that tea tree oil may help to kill fungi. ...
- Garlic. ...
- Hydrogen peroxide with iodine. ...
- Hair dryer and talcum powder. ...
- Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
Temperatures above 60 degrees kills the fungal spores. Otherwise soak socks in boiling water and wash at normal temperature. If you have sweaty feet, use an antiperspirant and talcum powder. Ensure you store the OTC treatment appropriately and you use it within the expiry date.
What is the fastest way to cure athlete's foot at home? ›
Home Remedies
- Hydrogen peroxide: Hydrogen peroxide has been shown to kill the fungus that causes the infection if it is applied properly. ...
- Tea tree oil: Studies have shown that tea tree oil can effectively heal an athlete's foot infection, especially if the particular fungus causing it is the Trichophyton rubrum fungus.
You may see your skin become thicker and whiter, and you may develop blisters filled with foul-smelling fluid. Left untreated, athlete's foot usually doesn't lead to severe complications. However, it often becomes a major annoyance, making it more difficult for sufferers to enjoy day-to-day life.
Should you wear socks to bed with athlete's foot? ›
If you have athlete's foot, it's a good idea to wear socks to bed, especially if you share your bed with another person. This can help prevent transmitting the fungus to others. Athlete's foot (tinea pedis) is a fungal infection caused by a ringworm. Ringworm is not actually a worm.
How long can Athlete's foot last? ›
How Long Does Athlete's Foot Last? Most mild cases of athlete's foot clear up within 2 weeks. But treatment can go for several weeks or longer if the infection is more serious or affects the toenails.
What causes athlete's foot and how can it be avoided? ›
Athlete's foot is caused by the same type of fungi (dermatophytes) that cause ringworm and jock itch. Damp socks and shoes and warm, humid conditions favor the organisms' growth.
How do you control the spread of athlete's foot? ›
Do
- dry your feet after washing them, particularly between your toes – dab them dry rather than rubbing them.
- use a separate towel for your feet and wash it regularly.
- take your shoes off when at home.
- wear clean socks every day – cotton socks are best.
