The athlete’s foot, tinea pedis in medical terms, is a type of fungal infection that usually affects the feet or toes. This condition occurs when feet are moist while confined within tightfitting shoes. Signs and symptoms of athlete’s foot include a scaly rash that usually causes itching, burning, and stinging.
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Medical Treatment for Athlete’s foot
Several weeks of continuous treatment using over-the-counter topical antifungal medications generally work well to treat athlete’s foot. If these do not work, doctors may prescribe a course of oral prescription-strength antifungal medicines for more advanced or resistant cases.
- OTC medications
- Prescription medications
- Home care and alternative therapy
OTC medications
There are many OTC topical antifungal ointment, cream, powder or spray, including miconazole, clotrimazole, butenafine, and tolnaftate.
Prescription medications
Doctors may recommend prescription-strength medication to apply to your feet, such as topical steroids that can reduce painful inflammation. Severe cases may require antifungal pills taken by mouth. Oral antibiotics treat bacterial infections that may develop due to raw skin and blisters.
Home care and alternative therapy
Keeping your feet dry, changing socks regularly, and wearing ventilated shoes can help ease the symptoms of athlete’s foot or avoid it from coming back. Soaking your feet in saltwater or diluted vinegar can help dry up blisters. Some also find tea tree oil to be an effective alternative therapy for treating athlete’s foot.
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What do the experts say?
Dr. Aaron Wiegmann notes the importance of CBD in treating athlete’s foot.
Medical studies suggest that CBD is an effective treatment option for athlete’s foot.
