Athlete's Foot Treatments and Medications

Your feet might seem sturdy and invulnerable, but just like other body parts, they can come down with infections, perhaps none more prevalent than athlete's foot. Despite the name, this skin infection isn't just reserved for athletes. It can occur in anyone, causing itchy sores, redness, burning, and other symptoms. Read on to learn more about athlete's foot symptoms and treatments.

What is athlete's foot?

Athlete's foot, also called tinea pedis, is a fungal infection that occurs on the upper layer of skin and thrives in warm, moist areas. It often manifests as red, flaky, and/or scaly skin between the toes or on the soles of the feet and can be accompanied by oozing or itching blisters.

Athlete’s foot is caused by a type of fungus called a dermatophyte (most typically Trichophyton, Epidermophyton, and Microsporum), the same kind that causes jock itch. Dermatophytes love darkness, warmth, and moisture, which allow them to reproduce. They function by decomposing keratin and often infect keratin-rich tissues like skin, nails, and hair. The easiest way to contract athlete's foot is by walking barefoot where this fungus is present. Bathrooms, locker rooms, and public swimming pools are common breeding grounds for these pesky fungal cells because they get a lot of barefoot traffic.

"Fungus grows and reproduces by making spores, which are extremely hardy, dormant organisms that can be all over our toes or bathroom floor," said Yolanda Ragland, doctor of podiatric medicine, founder, and CEO of Fix Your Feet. "Fungus doesn’t mean you are dirty, but it could be dormant for years, and if someone susceptible steps on it and then puts on their shoes, the fungus will grow as our feet sweat in these dark, moist areas. There are people who get fungal infections and people who do not—whether you are susceptible is determined by your physiology.”

Athlete's foot is highly contagious and prevalent, occurring in 20 to 25% of the world's population. Men and older adults are more susceptible to athlete's foot, and despite the rise of new treatments, it's become more common over the past two decades. Most cases of athlete's foot will respond to treatment as long as you're diligent, but it can be persistent. It's usually a good idea to visit your primary care physician, podiatrist, or dermatologist for treatment, especially if your stubborn infection just won't go away.

How is athlete's foot diagnosed?

How do you know if you have athlete's foot? Since the symptoms of athlete's foot are often visible, it's easy to diagnose on sight. Your healthcare provider will perform a visual examination and ask questions about your medical history, mainly to determine if you've had a similar fungal or bacterial infection before.

He or she will likely look for the hallmark signs of a fungal skin infection. Athlete’s foot "can come in a variety of forms, but it usually looks like a flat, scaly, red rash on the outside or inside of your feet, or between your toes. This can often be seen with what looks like dry skin, especially if it's interdigital," according to Daniel Paull, MD, founder, and CEO of Easy Orthopedics. In less obvious cases, Dr. Paull says, your doctor might "scrape some of the skin from your foot, prepare it with potassium hydroxide, and put it under a microscope to confirm the diagnosis."

Athlete's foot treatment options

The good news is that there are a number of viable and effective treatment options for athlete's foot. Even though it can be a tenacious opponent, athlete's foot is curable—it's just a matter of eradicating the fungus. Usually, your healthcare provider will start out with an over-the-counter medication like a topical antifungal cream or powder. "Most athlete’s foot infections will respond to OTC antifungal medications. These can be purchased at any convenience store, or even online on Amazon," explains Dr. Paull.

However, more persistent and severe cases may require oral or topical prescription medications. If your infection doesn't clear up within three to four weeks of self-treatment, recurs frequently, or spreads to other parts of your body (like finger and toenails, hands, groin, etc.) your athlete's foot might require a prescription medication instead.

Athlete's foot medications

Over-the-counter antifungal creams

These versatile over-the-counter antifungal creams are highly effective in treating not just athlete's foot, but other forms of ringworm as well. Simply apply the cream to the affected area twice a day, as directed by your doctor.

With a strict, two-times-per-day regimen, OTC antifungal creams like Lotrimin and Lamisil can clear up foot fungus in a matter of weeks. Lotrimin disrupts fungal cell membrane production, while Lamisil prevents fungi from making sterols, which are an integral part of cell membranes.

Side effects for these topical medications may include itching, stinging, redness, and hives around the application site. Other times, your doctor might recommend a prescription cream like Loprox or Naftin, which works by killing the fungus directly, then preventing further growth.

Antifungal foot powders

Antifungal powders are often considered less effective than creams because they don’t absorb into the skin. However, powders are the best option for reducing moisture, which makes your feet a less conducive environment for fungal cell growth. Lotrimin and Lamisil come as foot powders, as do Zeasorb and Tinactin. Like the creams listed above, you'll apply this powder to the affected area twice per day and side effects, when they occur, can include itching, burning, and rash.

Oral antifungals

When topical antifungal medications fail, it might be time to try oral administration, which can be a more powerful treatment. One of the most common prescription oral antifungals is terbinafine. Typically, a course of oral athlete's foot medication will last anywhere from one to eight weeks, and you'll need to complete the entire course, as fungi can lie dormant even after disappearing. Despite their effectiveness, doctors often prescribe oral antifungals sparingly, due to their effects on the liver.

What is the best medication for athlete's foot?

Every case of athlete's foot is unique, so it's impossible to choose one treatment that works across the board. There isn't a "best" treatment; treatment depends on your particular situation. Your doctor will consider your condition severity, medical history, current medications, and more when selecting a treatment route.Here are some of the most common over-the-counter and prescription medications used for curing athlete's foot:

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Best medications for athlete’s foot