6 Best Athlete’s Foot Treatment Creams

What is Athlete’s Foot?

The medical term for athlete’s foot is tinia pedis. It’s a very common skin infection that affects the feet and can spread to other parts of the body. Although generally not serious, the symptoms are unpleasant and bothersome.

It’s caused by fungi that thrive in warm and moist environments. The heat and humidity in and around the feet when wearing shoes, provide a fertile breeding ground for the fungi that cause athlete’s foot. The areas between the toes are particularly favorable for fungus growth.

Who Gets Athlete’s Foot?

The term “athlete’s foot” contributes to the mistaken belief that the condition only afflicts athletes. In fact, it is estimated that athlete’s foot affects 15% of the world’s population, or about 785 million people.

While anyone can get athlete’s foot, some are more prone than others. Adults are more likely to get athlete’s foot than children. Men are more susceptible than women. Persons with weakened immune systems due to cancer, HIV/AIDS and diabetes are more vulnerable than most. Individuals with hyperhydrosis (excessively active sweat glands) run an increased probability of infection and recurrence. Also, persons who have had athletes foot stand a much higher chance of getting it again.

What are the Signs of Athlete’s Foot?

Athletes foot is caused by different species of fungi, primarily Trichophyton, Epidermophyton and Microsporum. The symptoms are divided into four groups of classification. The characteristics depend largely on which fungus caused the infection. Some symptoms may differ in severity according to skin types. All forms of athlete’s foot share a common trait: itching.

Toe Web Infection

Also called an interdigital infection which means infection between the fingers or toes. It’s the most common form of athlete’s foot. The area between the fourth and fifth (pinkie) toes is the most commonly affected. There may be redness and a burning sensation on the affected area along with scaling or peeling.

Moccasin Infection

It gets its name from the rash that covers the soles and sides of a foot. Initially, there may be dryness and slight irritation on the affected area. As the condition progresses, the skin around the heel may thicken and eventually peel or crack. This type of athlete’s foot can spread to the toenails, which needs separate treatment.

Vesicular Infection

This kind of athlete’s foot is marked by the appearance of fuel-filled blisters. The blisters typically develop on the soles or between the toes. If scratched, the tiny blisters will easily break. Ruptured blisters may get infected with bacteria. A secondary outbreak of blisters can occur on the fingers, arms or chest. The symptoms worsen during summer.

Ulcerative Infection

Athlete’s foot of this sort is the least common. It’s characterized by open sores that are vulnerable to bacterial infection. The exposed lesions may emit a smelly discharge. There may be pain, swelling and redness on the affected area.

What are the Complications of Athlete’s Foot?

When complications arise, athlete’s foot becomes more serious and harder to treat.

The primary complication of athlete’s foot is the infection that results from vigorous scratching, and cracked skin. Signs of bacterial infection from athlete’s foot involve swelling, pain and tenderness on the affected area, and visible pus on the wound or wounds. In severe cases, fever occurs.

Toenail fungal infections often develop alongside athlete’s foot because the types of fungi that bring about both are the same. Visible indications of a toenail fungal infection include discoloration and thickening of one or more nails.

Infections from athlete’s foot need the immediate attention of a medical practitioner.

How can you get Athlete’s Foot?

It’s very easy to fall victim to athlete’s foot. That’s because there are so many ways to acquire and transmit the disease. The fungi that produce athlete’s foot are related to other fungi that cause ringworm and jock itch.

These fungi flourish in warm and wet locations. They are present in public swimming pools, locker rooms and gym showers, among other places. When these fungi come into contact with an ideal human host, athlete’s foot begins.

Athlete’s foot can be contracted through direct contact with an infected person. It can be transferred from skin to skin. Such as, when shaking hands, playing contact sports or touching any infected part of the body.

Athlete’s foot can be contracted indirectly through an infected individual’s personal items and belongings. An infected person’s clothing, shoes, socks, towels and bedsheets can pass on athlete’s foot fungi to others that come into contact with them.

Who are at Risk for Athlete’s Foot?

As the fungi that cause it are easy to acquire, anybody can be afflicted by athlete’s foot. However, there are habits that greatly increase the chances of getting athlete’s foot:

• Walking barefoot in public places particularly swimming pools, gym showers and locker rooms.
• Sharing shoes, socks and other personal items with an infected person.
• Wearing ill-fitting shoes and socks.
• Having wet feet for extended periods of time.
• Letting your toenails grow long.

How to Prevent Athlete’s Foot

Observe the following measures to keep your feet fungus-free and avoid getting athlete’s foot:

• Wash your feet with soap and water as often as possible. Make sure to thoroughly dry them, especially between the toes.
• Wear sandals or flip-flops in public swimming pools, gym showers and locker rooms.
• Pick shoes with adequate ventilation for the feet.
• Wear alternating pairs of sneakers, so both pairs can be aired out to dry in between wearing.
• Avoid shoes and socks that are too tight.
• Don’t wear somebody else’s shoes or socks.
• Change to a fresh pair of socks whenever your feet get moist or sweaty.
• Keep toenails short.
• When at home, walk barefoot as much as possible.

How to Cure Athlete’s Foot

If you get athlete’s foot, there are a number of ways to treat it.

Home and Natural Remedies:

Tea Tree Oil – The oil is derived from the leaves of the tea tree that commonly grows in Australia. It is said to have antibacterial and antifungal features. Tea tree oil shouldn’t be applied to skin undiluted. Add a few drops of tea tree oil to olive oil or baby oil and rub gently on the feet. It can also be added to warm water then used as a footbath to kill fungi and protect other areas of the feet from infection.

Garlic – The medicinal and therapeutic benefits of garlic have been well documented. In scientific studies, it was found that garlic releases sulfur compounds when crushed, chopped or chewed. These compounds contain active antifungal properties. Make a foot soak by mixing three to four cloves of crushed garlic in a basin of warm water. Immerse the feet in the mixture for 30 minutes twice daily.

Ginger – Like garlic, ginger possesses powerful antifungal characteristics. Finely chop a medium-sized ginger and boil it in water for about 20 minutes. Wait for it to cool then apply the liquid directly to the feet to fight off infection. Let stay for at least 30 minutes to allow the liquid to seep through the skin. Do this once a day and make a fresh batch each time. This mixture also helps neutralize odors from oozing blisters.

Hydrogen Peroxide and Iodine – Both ingredients are used to disinfect cuts, scrapes and wounds. Their antiseptic qualities are enhanced when used together as a solution. A hydrogen peroxide and iodine solution has been found to eliminate 16 different kinds of fungi. Mix 2 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide and ½ teaspoon iodine in a bucket of water. Soak the feet in the mixture for 15-20 minutes daily.

Over-The-Counter Medication: A Few Things to Consider

Athlete’s foot pharmaceutical treatment options can be confusing. Here are a few pointers on what attributes a medication should have in order to be effective.

Antifungal

Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection. Make sure the active ingredients are antifungal. Antifungal medicines work by killing fungal cells and preventing fungal cells from reproducing. The most common antifungals for athlete’s foot are clotrimazole, econazole, terbinafine and ketoconazole. Nearly all antifungal medicines are generic, non-prescription brands. Remember that when using over-the-counter medication to self-treat, read the package label information thoroughly.

Skin Reliever

Athlete’s foot causes considerable damage to the skin. It produces dryness, scaling, cracking, peeling, irritation and pain. Athlete’s foot medication should have ingredients that soothe the skin. Look for skin-relieving ingredients like aloe vera, sea kelp or a combination of two or more vitamins.

Anti-Inflammatory

Athlete’s foot generates swelling and redness. An effective athlete’s foot treatment should contain an anti-inflammatory agent to reduce swelling, as well as relieve pain and itching.

Method of Application

Athlete’s foot treatments come in many forms and can be applied in several ways. There are soaps, ointments, creams, powder sprays and liquid sprays. Choosing which one depends entirely on your lifestyle. When at work at the office, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to take off your shoes at various times of the day to apply athlete’s foot cream. While a liquid or powder spray would be best for this situation, sprays are typically less efficient than creams or ointments.