Athlete’s Foot Treatment

How you treat athlete’s foot (tinea pedis) depends on its type and severity. Most cases of athlete’s foot can be treated at home using an antifungal medicine to kill the fungus or slow its growth.

• Nonprescription antifungals usually are used first. These include terbinafine (Lamisil AT), miconazole(Micatin), clotrimazole (Lotrimin AF), and tolnaftate (Tinactin). Nonprescription antifungals are applied to the skin (topical medicines).
• Prescription antifungals may be tried if nonprescription medicines are not successful or if you have a severe infection. Some of these medicines are topical antifungals, which are put directly on the skin. Examples include naftifine (Naftin), butenafine (Mentax), and clotrimazole. Prescription antifungals can also be taken as a pill, which are called oral antifungals. Examples of oral antifungals include terbinafine (Lamisil),itraconazole (Sporanox), and fluconazole(Diflucan).

For severe athlete’s foot that doesn’t improve, your doctor may prescribe oral antifungal medicine (pills). Oral antifungal pills are used only for severe cases because they are expensive and require periodic testing for dangerous side effects. Athlete’s foot can return even after antifungal pill treatment.

Although your symptoms may decrease or stop shortly after you begin using antifungal medicine, it is important to complete the full course of medicine. This increases the chance that athlete’s foot will not return. Reinfection is common, and athlete’s foot needs to be fully treated each time symptoms develop.

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