Athlete's foot appointments

For most cases of mild to moderate athlete’s foot, your provider may recommend an over-the-counter antifungal cream to treat the infection.

If symptoms persist, or if the infection does not respond to OTC treatment, your provider may order a prescription-strength antifungal. These medications include:

• Fluconazole (Diflucan)
• Griseofulvin (Griasctin)
• Itraconazole (Sporanox)
• Terbinafine (Lamisil)

If you are prescribed oral medication, you must take the prescription for the full ordered course of treatment. Stopping dosage early may result in the infection recurring.

There are several tips you can use to reduce the symptoms of athlete’s foot and prevent infection. These include:

- Change your socks frequently. This is especially important if these articles become damp throughout the day. Moisture encourages fungal growth, so keeping the feet dry and clean can help prevent infection.

- Don’t share shoes. Fungal infections can spread through contact, so avoid sharing shoes to prevent either spreading or contracting athlete’s foot.

- Don’t share personal items. Towels, clothes, sheets, and personal hygiene products are common spreaders of fungi that cause athlete’s foot. Avoid sharing these items to prevent infection, or to prevent the infection from spreading.

- Shower. Showering immediately after physical activity (like exercise or sports) will prevent the growth of fungi in sweaty parts of the body.

- Wear shoes or sandals in public places. The floors of public pools and communal showers (such as those found in gyms) are areas that are commonly contaminated with the fungi that cause athlete’s foot. Wear slides or water shoes while at a public pool or shower to prevent infection.

- Change your shoes. Changing your shoes regularly can help keep them dry and free of fungi that cause athlete’s foot.

- Disinfect surfaces. Use disinfecting products to clean the surfaces of your home and personal items such as yoga mats to prevent bacteria and fungi from growing.