Treatment FAQ

athlete's foot treatment how long

by Mr. Maxime Schaefer DVM Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Treatment for athlete's foot should generally be continued for four weeks or at least one week after all of the skin symptoms have cleared. More advanced or resistant cases of athlete's foot may require a course of an oral (pill) antifungal like terbinafine (Lamisil), itraconazole (Sporanox), or fluconazole (Diflucan).

With proper diagnosis and treatment, your athlete's foot should go away in one to eight weeks. And be sure to follow your healthcare provider's instructions. It's important to finish your full course of medicine, too. During the early healing stages, itchiness and irritation will fade.Dec 1, 2021

Full Answer

What are home remedies for athletes feet?

#1 Remedy: Baking Soda

  • Make a sticky paste using baking soda and a little water.
  • Spread it over the affected areas.
  • Leave it on for at least 15 minutes.
  • Rinse it off with clean water, and then dry your feet thoroughly.

What cures athletes foot fastest?

  • Soap and water: Keeping the affected area clean is important. ...
  • Tea tree oil: Tea tree oil has antifungal and antibacterial properties. ...
  • Oregano oil: Oregano oil is an essential oil and a powerful antifungal compared to many commercial products. ...

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What is the best medicine for athletes feet?

  • Is this athlete foot treatment serving the purpose of purchase? ...
  • What functions must the athlete foot treatment have? ...
  • Is there a specific budget, or is the budget flexible?
  • Will the athlete foot treatment require maintenance and upkeep costs?
  • Are you looking to buy the athlete foot treatment online or offline? ...

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What is the best product for athletes feet?

  • Compact foot massager provides relaxing manual massage therapy for tired, aching feet
  • Soft, silicone foot scrubber features two different types of bristles that clean & massage your feet
  • No-slip material provides optimal safety by adhering to tub surface - Prevents shower injuries

More items...

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What is the fastest way to cure athlete's foot?

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.

Is Athlete's foot hard to get rid of?

If not treated properly and promptly, athlete's foot can be very stubborn. Even when treated with antifungal drugs, the infection may take several weeks to disappear and may come back after treatment. Most of the time it responds well to these over-the-counter interventions.

Can athlete's foot be completely cured?

Athlete's foot isn't serious, but sometimes it's hard to cure. If you have diabetes or a weakened immune system and suspect you have athlete's foot, you should call your doctor right away.

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.

Why wont my athletes foot go away?

Call your healthcare provider if your athlete's foot: Doesn't improve or go away with treatment. Looks infected (red, purple, gray or white skin; irritation and swelling). Spreads to other areas of your body.

What are the stages of athlete's foot?

The early signs of athlete's foot are patches or fissures (deep breaks or slits), especially between the toes. As the infection progresses, the skin may turn red, become itchy, and appear moist. Small blisters may spread out across the foot, breaking to expose raw fissures that are painful and may swell.

Do I need to throw away my shoes if I have athlete's foot?

You do not have to throw away your shoes if you have athlete's foot unless they were worn without socks, have dirt in them, or you have another skin reaction to the material or color dyes.

When is athlete's foot gone?

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 can be mistaken for athlete's foot?

Certain conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis, among other things, can also look very much like Athlete's foot. Sometimes, if the skin barrier is compromised, a secondary bacterial infection can occur.

Can Athlete's foot live on sheets?

Myth 7: Athlete's foot only affects the feet. Athlete's foot can spread if you scratch the itch and then touch other parts of your body, including your groin (jock itch) and the skin under your arms. It can also spread to other parts of your body via contaminated sheets or clothing.

Is athlete's foot worse at night?

Identify it. Athlete's foot usually happens when you have sweaty feet that have been confined within tight-fitting shoes. It may look scaly and itch and burn. You may notice the redness and itching intensifies at night.

Can Athlete's foot live on carpet?

Athlete's Foot and Carpet Cleaning Fungus can live in shoes and carpets for years in spore form. Simply vacuuming or mopping the area periodically cannot adequately protect you from fungus tracked in from the gym, public pool or flaked off by a host.

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.

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 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 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.

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.

Overview

Athlete’s foot is a common fungal (caused by a fungus) infection. Athlete’s foot is a form of ringworm. Tinea pedis is another name for athlete’s foot. Tinea is another name for ringworm, and pedis means foot or feet. Athlete’s foot causes an itchy, stinging, burning rash on the skin on one or both of your feet.

Diagnosis and Tests

Your healthcare provider can typically diagnose athlete’s foot by examining your feet and reviewing your symptoms.

Management and Treatment

Athlete’s foot rarely goes away on its own. If left untreated, it’s more likely to spread to other parts of your body.

Prevention

Thoroughly wash your feet and the skin between your toes with antibacterial soap.

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.

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 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 to keep your feet clean and dry?

The best solution, according to Dr. Bass, is a fairly simple one—keep your feet clean and dry. This means changing your socks often, particularly if you’re prone to sweating and/or planning on a workout during the day.

Can you use lotrimin for athlete's foot?

This formula can also be used on ringworm breakouts, so it's great to keep in your medicine cabinet. It can be used on children over the age of two, so if your little one is dealing with a bout of athlete's foot, turn to Lotrimin.

Does miconazole nitrate help with athlete's foot?

This formula contains two percent miconazole nitrate, which has been clinically proven to relieve itchy skin and can even be used as initial prevention of Athlete's foot. 1 The best part about powder formulas, in general, is that they can contain active ingredients while working to dry out any moist areas.

What to do if you have a foot infection?

Disinfect clothes, tools and shoes. Anything that you use on your feet while infected must be disinfected with bleach or another cleaner. This includes nail tools, shoes, socks and anything else that has touched your feet. The last thing you want is to re-infect your feet after you have spent so much time trying to treat them.

How do you know if you have athlete's foot?

Some symptoms, such as itching, can become worse as soon as you remove socks and shoes. Symptoms of athlete's foot can include: Itching and burning. Peeling or flaking skin.

How long does it take for antifungal cream to work?

Some take one to two weeks to work, while others must be used for four to eight weeks before they get rid of the fungal infection.

What causes fluid blisters on the bottom of the foot?

Check for a vesicular infection. This type of fungal infection can cause fluid-filled blisters to occur suddenly on your foot. The blisters can usually be found on the bottom of your foot. A bacterial infection can coincide with your vesicular type infection, making symptoms much worse.

How to treat vesicular infection on foot?

It can be particularly useful for treating a vesicular infection. Follow the directions, and soak your foot several times a day for at least three days.

How to check for fungus on foot?

Using a black-light to look at your feet and see if the light shows fungus on your foot.

What is the toe web?

Toe web infection is a form of athlete's foot that is frequently found between the fourth and fifth toes. You will need to look for signs of athlete's foot in these areas, such as scaly, peeling or cracking skin. Bacteria can also infect the area causing further damage to the skin. ...

How long does it take for a rash to go away on your foot?

If you have a rash on your foot that doesn't improve within two weeks of beginning self-treatment with an over-the-counter antifungal product, see your doctor.

What are the risk factors for athlete's foot?

You are at higher risk of athlete's foot if you: Share mats, rugs, bed linens, clothes or shoes with someone who has a fungal infection. Walk barefoot in public areas where the infection can spread, such as locker rooms, saunas, swimming pools, communal baths and showers.

Why do athletes get foot itch?

Causes. Athlete's foot is caused by the same type of fungus that causes ringworm and jock itch . Damp socks and shoes and warm, humid conditions favor the organisms' growth. Athlete's foot is contagious and can be spread by contact with an infected person or from contact with contaminated surfaces, such as towels, floors and shoes.

What causes a rash on the bottom of the foot?

It can cause a scaly rash that may itch, sting or burn. Moccasin-type athlete's foot can cause cracking, peeling or excessive dryness on the bottoms or sides of the feet. Athlete's foot (tinea pedis) is a fungal infection that usually begins between the toes.

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.

Can athlete's foot be treated?

Athlete's foot is closely related to other fungal infections such as ringworm and jock itch. It can be treated with antifungal medications, but the infection often comes back.

Can athlete's foot spread to other parts of the body?

Your athlete's foot infection can spread to other parts of your body, including: Your hand. People who scratch or pick at the infected parts of their feet may develop a similar infection in one of their hands . Your nails.

What is the best treatment for athlete's foot?

Along with using an OTC antifungal cream, powder, or spray, you may also be able to alleviate the symptoms of athlete’s foot with the following home remedies. A vinegar foot soak has antifungal properties that may help fight an athlete’s foot infection without much risk of side effects.

How do you know if you have athlete's foot?

Symptoms of athlete’s foot include: a scaly, red rash that usually develops between the toes before spreading. itchiness, which is often most severe after taking off your shoes and socks. blisters in severe cases.

Why is it called athlete's foot?

It’s called athlete’s foot because athletes who are in and out of locker rooms and showers are at a particularly high risk of developing this infection.

How to keep your feet dry?

To avoid contamination, try to: Keep your feet dry by thoroughly drying your feet after bathing — especially in between your toes — and wearing clean, dry socks every day. Avoid sharing towels, shoes, and socks with others. Wear cotton socks or socks made from materials that help wick away moisture.

How to keep your shoes from slipping out?

Air out your shoes whenever you can, and try not to wear the same pair of shoes every day.

Is athlete's foot contagious?

If you spend a lot of time around a pool or in public locker rooms, you have a higher risk of developing athlete’s foot, which thrives in these environments and is very contagious. While not serious, the itching and irritation caused by the fungus can be unpleasant and uncomfortable. Take preventive measures whenever you can.

Do you need to see a doctor for athlete's foot?

Most of the time, you don’t need to see a doctor for athlete’s foot , as OTC antifungal medications can clear up the infection.

How long does it take for athlete's foot to go away?

If you think you have athlete’s foot and it hasn’t subsided after a week of home treatment, make an appointment to see your doctor. You may need prescription antifungals (either oral or topical) to get rid of the infection.

What is the best treatment for athlete's foot?

Talcum powder, corn starch, or baby powder work to treat athlete’s foot by keeping the affected area dry and clean. This makes it difficult for the fungus to thrive and spread by keeping sweat and moisture under control.

How to get rid of fungus on feet?

You can apply it directly to the affected area or soak your feet in a footbath of 70 percent rubbing alcohol and 30 percent water for 30 minutes. 6. Garlic.

How to get rid of a foot infection?

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. Do this twice daily until the infection subsides. 3.

What is athlete's foot?

Athlete’s foot, also known as tinea pedis, is a fungal skin infection that typically starts between the toes. It causes a scaly, itchy rash that may have painful or burning sensations. In some cases, people may also experience ulcers or blisters, which can be very painful. Fortunately, athlete’s foot can be extremely receptive to home treatment.

How long does it take for garlic to cure athlete's foot?

One older study even found that a derivative of garlic, alone, resulted in a complete cure in 79 percent of participants. after just 7 days. To use garlic to treat athlete’s foot, crush four to five cloves of garlic. Once smashed, rub them over the affected area.

Can athlete's foot be a bacterial infection?

If untreated, athlete’s foot can result in a bacterial infection if skin is broken. This can happen due to scratching or when blisters pop or ulcers become infected. Any type of infection can be very serious and requires prompt treatment.

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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.
See more on mayoclinic.org

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 (Lotrisone), econazole (Ecoza, Spectazole) or ciclopirox (Loprox, Penlac). If you have a more serious infection, your doctor might prescribe antifungal pills, such as terbinafine (Lamisil) or itraconazole (Spora…
See more on mayoclinic.org

Lifestyle and Home Remedies

  • These tips can help you ease the symptoms of athlete's foot or avoid a recurrence: 1. Keep your feet clean and dry.Wash your feet twice a day and gently towel-dry between the toes. 2. 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...
See more on mayoclinic.org

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.
See more on mayoclinic.org

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