Athletes foot treatment:
- Foot Powder. Since foot fungus needs a moist area to grow, parch the fungus. Keep your feet as dry as possible. You can do this by using an over-the counter medicated powder to absorb the moisture from your feet.
- Anti-Fungal Cream. If you don’t like using a powder, you should try using an over-the counter anti-fungal cream. If used correctly, these creams can kill the nasty fungus and leave you free of the itch and irritation. You should use creams that contain tolnaftate or miconazole nitrate. Use the cream as directed for the full number of days recommended.
- Do not moisturize! Even though your feet will look and feel dry and cracked, do not apply any regular lotions or moisturizers that will spread the fungus and give it a reason to stay. Use only anti-fungal lotions.
- Taking care of what you wear. Wash your socks and sneakers in bleach. If possible, dry them on the hottest setting.
- Where the fungi live. Not only do the fungus live on your skin, but they live in your shoes as well. Disinfect your shoes after each time you wear them, with products such as Lysol. Spray them with a disinfectant and leave them over night. Also try to alternate what shoes you wear. Let your shoes air out, so that they will be completely dry (and fungus free) the next time you wear them.
If your feet are still causing you problems after 2 weeks of over-the counter treatments, see a health care provider. You may not have a fungal infection after-all, but a bacterial one, which would require prescribed antibiotics.
