Full Answer
Medication
Self-care
Specialist To Consult
What is the strongest over-the-counter athlete's foot medication?
Across the board, Lamisil was recommended by almost all the experts we spoke to as the best topical product for treating athlete's foot. Available in cream and gel form, it's a powerful, broad-spectrum antifungal that Maral K.
What gets rid of athlete's foot fast?
What is the best cure 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 are pills.
Can you cure athletes foot over-the-counter?
Most cases of athlete's foot can be cured with over-the-counter antifungal products and basic good hygiene.
What can I get over-the-counter for athlete's foot?
1: Over-the-Counter Antifungal Creams. The good news is that most cases of athlete's foot can be cured at home, with application of topical antifungals such as clotrimazole (Lotrimin), terbinafine (Lamisil), tolnaftate (Tinactin), and others.
Does Vicks Vapor Rub get rid of athlete's foot?
And Vicks VapoRub contains eucalyptus oil and menthol, which can fight fungi. One study showed Vicks reduced athlete's foot symptoms in more than half of people who applied it. To prevent the infection, keep feet dry, especially between your toes. Change your socks often, sometimes twice a day.
Is hydrogen peroxide good for foot fungus?
It may sound like a dangerous chemical, but hydrogen peroxide is an effective home remedy for treating athlete's foot. The chemical works by killing all surface bacteria and funguses on the skin.
Should I wear socks to bed with athlete's foot?
Wearing socks to bed can help prevent transmission of the fungus. Even if you avoid contact, your partner can still develop athlete's foot if you walk around the house barefoot. The fungus can attach itself to floors when you walk or stand on them.
Does soaking feet in vinegar help athletes foot?
For athlete's foot Athlete's foot often burns and itches. For mild forms of this condition, a vinegar soak might work well. The antifungal properties also make vinegar soaks a good idea for people who have toenail fungus. Soak your feet for 10 to 15 minutes daily in a vinegar bath until the infection subsides.
What kills foot fungus naturally?
Here are six of the best natural remedies:White Vinegar. White vinegar other wise known as Acetic Acid can help eliminate fungus when diluted in lukewarm water. ... Listerine and White Vinegar. ... Tea Tree Oil. ... Urea Paste. ... Pau D'arco Tea. ... Vicks VapoRub. ... Time.
Is Epsom salt good for athlete's foot?
You can even use Epsom salt baths to relieve a number of foot complaints and conditions, including: Athlete's Foot: While Epsom salts don't kill the fungus that causes athlete's foot, it can help draw the moisture out. This makes the environment much less inviting for fungus.
Is Lamisil more effective than Lotrimin?
The results show that 1 week of terbinafine b.d. is more effective than 4 weeks of clotrimazole b.d., in terms of both mycological cure and effective treatment.
Does Neosporin help athletes foot?
Neosporin AF (containing miconozole) is marketed for athlete's foot and jock itch. These specific skin fungal infections are caused by the Tinea genus of fungus.
Can rubbing alcohol get rid of athlete's foot?
Soak Your Feet in Rubbing Alcohol and Water Rubbing alcohol also has the potential to kill fungus, even the type that causes athlete's foot. It is not recommended to directly apply alcohol to the affected area because it will burn, but you can soak your feet in a water bath with alcohol.
How long does it take for athlete's foot to clear up?
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.
Does vinegar heal athlete's foot?
For athlete's foot Athlete's foot often burns and itches. For mild forms of this condition, a vinegar soak might work well. The antifungal properties also make vinegar soaks a good idea for people who have toenail fungus. Soak your feet for 10 to 15 minutes daily in a vinegar bath until the infection subsides.
Should I wear socks to bed with athlete's foot?
Wearing socks to bed can help prevent transmission of the fungus. Even if you avoid contact, your partner can still develop athlete's foot if you walk around the house barefoot. The fungus can attach itself to floors when you walk or stand on them.
Why Trust Verywell Health?
Brittany Loggins is a freelance writer who has covered everything from wellness to politics. She has a degree in journalism from University of Georgia and lives in New York City.
How to keep athlete's foot dry?
Some people will use baking soda or light cornstarch to keep the moisture out or powder. You can use moisture-wicking socks or change socks frequently too.”. These methods along with using antifungal powders and creams before and after a long day can be your best defense against athlete’s foot.
What is the best antifungal cream?
Best Natural: Bioveco Antifungal Cream. Buy on Amazon. For those who want to stick with a natural formula, Biveco Antifungal Cream is a great option. This cream uses ingredients like aloe vera, tea tree oil, calendula, turmeric, and arnica to help fight fungus and soothe itchy, scaly feet.
What is the best antifungal cream for athlete's foot?
Best Natural: Bioveco Antifungal Cream at Amazon. "Uses ingredients like aloe vera, tea tree oil, calendula, turmeric, and arnica to help fight fungus and soothe itchy, scaly feet. ". Not only can an athlete’s foot be painful, but it’s also just downright annoying.
What is the best liquid for athlete's foot?
Best Overall: Lotrimin Athlete's Foot Liquid Powder Spray. Powders may seem annoying and messy to apply, but used in spray form it can make for a much easier application. This Lotrimin option comes in a spray form, which is great for coating every single crevice of your foot.
How long does it take for a syringe to heal athlete's foot?
Cures most athlete's foot between the toes within one week while providing relief from the itching and burning of athlete's foot.
Can antifungal creams help with foot infections?
Dr. Bass says any of the popular antifungal creams can help as well. Most importantly, Dr. Bass says it’s important to know when to go to an actual podiatrist. “Athlete’s foot infections can become serious,” says Dr. Bass.
Is This an Emergency?
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the National Library of Medicine’s list of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911. If you think you may have COVID-19, use the CDC’s Coronavirus Self-Checker .
What is the best antifungal for athlete's foot?
An antifungal treatment in powder form, like Lotrimin AF Athlete's Foot Antifungal Powder, delivers a particularly effective one-two punch against athlete's foot.
How to get rid of athlete's foot infection?
Dr. McGuire says that something as simple as soaking your feet in a solution of epsom salt, vinegar and water can go a long way toward soothing, if not resolving, an athlete's foot infection. If nothing else, this approach won't do any harm and will likely feel pleasant on your itchy feet.
What is the active ingredient in pHeet wipes?
These wipes from pHeet use lavender oil as their top active ingredient, which has been found to possess surprisingly effective antifungal properties, per an August 2017 study in Scientific Reports .
How to avoid having to shop for athlete's foot treatment?
If you want to avoid having to shop for an athlete's foot treatment in the first place, make sure you're practicing good foot hygiene on a daily basis, Dr. McGuire says:
What is athlete's foot?
00:29. Usually marked by a scaly, itchy, flaky rash, athlete's foot is a fungal infection caused by an overgrowth of organisms that thrive in damp, warm environments (read: sweaty socks and shoes ), per the Mayo Clinic.
How many calories are in kale pesto?
This amazing kale pesto is only 210 calories and anti-oxidant rich!
How effective are over-the-counter treatments for athletes foot?
Very effective: Over the counter athletes foot cream can be very effective if used appropriately and if used for a long enough period of time. I recommend to my patie... Read More
What over-the-counter treatments can i buy to treat my athletes foot?
Antifungals: Athletes foot (tines pedis) is a fungal infection most commonly caused by trichophyton rubrum. Most t rubrum respond to terbinafine cream obtainable ... Read More
What is the best over-the-counter athletes foot medication?
Any: They are all equally effective, assuming you use them twice a day. Make sure to dry very well, especially between the toes. Wear cotton socks and put ... Read More
What to do if OTC is not working?
Agree with Dr. F: If OTC treatment is not working, it is time to see a dermatologist. Wish you good health.
How long can you use OTC for athletes feet?
OTC ATHLETES FOOT: Otc treatments are usually quite effective when following treatment protocol. Some otc medications are designed to be used for 1 week and some for 1 ... Read More
How long does it take to video chat with a doctor?
Video chat with a U.S. board-certified doctor 24/7 in less than one minute for common issues such as: colds and coughs, stomach symptoms, bladder infections, rashes, and more.
What is a basic truism?
A basic tenet: A basic truism is the right treatment for the wrong problem will seldom yield a cure. It is time you had the foot examined to find out what is going o ... Read More
What is the best treatment for athlete's foot?
Across the board, Lamisil was recommended by almost all the experts we spoke to as the best topical product for treating athlete’s foot. Available in cream and gel form, it’s a powerful, broad-spectrum antifungal that Maral K. Skelsey — the director of the Dermatologic Surgery Center of Washington — says is helpful because it does double duty in killing fungus and stopping its growth. “It is well-absorbed into the outer layer of the skin, which is where athlete’s foot lives. A cream formulation is good for someone with dry skin, whereas the gel or spray is preferable for anyone whose feet perspire a lot.” Podiatrist Amnon Barnea, owner of Walk NYC Podiatry, adds, “ I usually advise patients to wash their feet with an antibacterial soap and then dry their feet well before applying the cream.”
What is athlete's foot?
Its technical name is tinea pedis — and athlete’s foot is actually a fungal infection, resulting in a sometimes red rash on the feet and in between toes, according to dermatologist Dr. Michele Green. “Often, but not always, it itches,” says Dr. Bruce Pinker, a board-certified podiatrist and foot surgeon.
Does tinactin help with burning?
If you prefer a liquid spray, Cunha likes the clinically effective Tinactin Antifungal Liquid Spray, which will dry out most fungus and help sooth itching and burning. Along with Lamisil and Lotrimin, Pinker calls Tinactin a useful over-the-counter solution, too.
Can you use Lotrimin on athlete's foot?
Several of the experts we spoke to also recommended using Lotrimin’s popular foot products. Pinker explains that Lotrimin’s sprays are effective especially if athlete’s foot is treated early on — since they’ve been available for a while now, they’ve proven to be beneficial.
Is tolnaftate alcohol free?
If you prefer a medicated foot towel, podiatrist Priya Parthasarathy loves these because they contain tolnaftate, a potent antifungal. As a bonus, they’re also alcohol-free so they won’t dry skin out.
Can athlete's foot be contaminated?
And because athlete’ s foot is often linked to toenail fungus — podiatrist Paul I. Belitz explains that bacteria, fungus, and viral pathogens from one part of the foot can easily contaminate and reinfect another area if left untreated — it’s helpful to use a two-pronged approach that will treat toe fungus, as well.
Can you get athlete's foot from too tight shoes?
Athlete’s foot is a pretty common condition. The culprit is usually what you put on your feet — so you can blame it on too tight sneakers and sweaty socks. Unfortunately, it can happen to anyone: “The gold standard to prevent fungal infection is to stop wearing enclosed shoes.
What are the ingredients in a fungistatic cream?
The creams below feature all-star active ingredients including terbinafine and clotrimazole, as well as other fungistatic ingredients like tolnaftate or miconazlole. And, since keeping your feet clean and dry are also important, there’s also a great pair of moisture-wicking socks, and an awesome foot powder on this list.
How long does it take for tinactin to work on athlete's foot?
Tinactin antifungal cream for athlete's foot uses tolnaftate as its active ingredient, which has fungistatic properties and it promises to cure most cases of athlete's foot and ringworm within four weeks. This pick also promises to go on smoothly and stay put, and it's formulated to simultaneously heal athlete's foot while relieving the itching and burning you may be dealing with. Additionally, Amazon shoppers give this cream a solid 4.7-star rating.
What is the best cream for athlete's foot?
Thanks to the superstar of antifungal agents, terbinafine hydrochloride, LamisilAT cream for athlete’s foot is the best overall cream for athlete’s foot. This pick claims to cure most cases of athlete's foot in just seven days of treatment, and it reportedly helps prevent athlete's foot from recurring for up to three months.
What kind of socks should I use for my foot?
One additional product you might need? A great pair of socks. Dr. Lobkova says, “ I also highly recommend using Smartwool or Darn Tough socks. The specially designed Merino wool material is a natural material (instead of synthetic like microfiber) that wicks away moisture from the foot. Cotton socks absorb moisture and keep the foot moist all day."
How long does it take for Lotrimin AF to work?
With this greaseless, odorless cream, it should take a maximum of four weeks to cure athlete's foot and about two weeks to cure jock itch.
What is the best cream for jock itch?
If you're looking for a cream you can apply before a workout and won't sweat off, try Triple Paste antifungal ointment, which uses miconazole nitrate, a fungistatic ingredient, to treat athlete's foot and jock itch.
What are Darn Tough socks made of?
These best-selling Darn Tough socks are made with a high blend of Merino wool, which is moisture-wicking so it’ll keep your feet dry even when you’re in hot weather or working out. The seamless design is comfortable, and there is a heel tab so you can pull them up if they slip down in shoes. Best of all, Darn Tough guarantees these socks for life so these are a great investment you can have forever.
What is the best medicine for athlete's foot?
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 (Lotrisone), econazole (Ecoza, Spectazole) or ciclopirox (Lo prox, Penlac). If you have a more serious infection, your doctor might prescribe antifungal pills, such as terbinafine (Lamisil) or itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura). Or you might need both topical and oral medicine.
How to treat athlete's foot?
These tips can help you ease the symptoms of athlete's foot or avoid a recurrence: 1 Keep your feet dry, especially between your toes. Go barefoot to let your feet air out as much as possible when you're home. Dry between your toes after a bath or shower. 2 Change socks regularly. If your feet get very sweaty, change your socks twice a day. 3 Wear light, well-ventilated shoes. Avoid shoes made of synthetic material, such as vinyl or rubber. 4 Alternate pairs of shoes. Don't wear the same pair every day so that you give your shoes time to dry after each use. 5 Protect your feet in public places. Wear waterproof sandals or shoes around public pools, showers and lockers rooms. 6 Treat your feet. Use OTC antifungal product as directed daily. For example, creams may be applied to dry feet twice a day and used for a week even after the rash is gone. 7 Try not to scratch the rash. You can try soothing your itchy feet by soaking them in cool water. 8 Don't share shoes. Sharing risks spreading a fungal infection.
How to protect your feet from water?
Protect your feet in public places. Wear waterproof sandals or shoes around public pools, showers and lockers rooms.
How to get rid of itchy feet?
For example, creams may be applied to dry feet twice a day and used for a week even after the rash is gone. 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.
What is Crawford F?
Crawford F, et al. Topical treatments for fungal infections of the skin and nails of the foot. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2016; doi.10.1002/14651858.CD001434.pub2.
How to get rid of a swollen foot?
Wear light, well-ventilated shoes. Avoid shoes made of synthetic material, such as vinyl or rubber. Alternate pairs of shoes. Don't wear the same pair every day so that you give your shoes time to dry after each use.
Who can diagnose athlete's foot?
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.
