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Tinea Pedis Treatment

Tinea pedis is the medical term for athlete's foot, which is the most common fungal infection that affects humans. Because athlete's foot can cause uncomfortable symptoms such as itching and burning, treating tinea pedis properly is important. Athlete's foot can be treated with antifungal medications and by making lifestyle changes that help to keep the feet clean and dry.

  1. Over-the-Counter Drugs

    • According to the National Institutes of Health, athlete's foot infection may be treated with over the counter medications that will control fungal infection. Over the counter drugs for tinea pedis include miconazole, clotrimazole,and tolnaftate. Popular brand names for these drugs are Tinactin, Micatin and Mitrazol. These topical creams can be used to relieve itching and burning associated with the athlete's foot fungus. Follow the directions on the product packaging to determine how often to use these medications. Do not stop using these medications just because your athlete's foot symptoms have improved. Continue using an over-the-counter medication for 1 to 2 weeks after athlete's foot symptoms have disappeared to prevent recurrence of infection.

    Prescription Drugs

    • If OTC medication does not work within 2 to 4 weeks and your athlete's foot becomes a recurrent problem, your doctor can recommend a prescription antifungal drug that can be taken to treat serious fungal infections. According to Drugs.com, prescription drugs for athlete's foot include terbinafine and ketoconazole. Lamisil is one prescription antifungal that is commonly used to treat recurrent athlete's foot infections. If you have developed an infection in the skin due to scratching, your doctor may also prescribe antibiotics to clear up any bacterial infection. Carefully follow all of your doctor's instructions and heed the warnings on prescription drug package inserts to get the best treatment results.

    Lifestyle Changes

    • Because athlete's foot fungus grows more quickly in moist areas, making lifestyle changes that will keep your feet clean and dry can help you to get rid of this condition and prevent it from recurring. The National Institutes of Health recommends washing your feet at least twice per day. Use soap and water and take care to dry the entire foot, especially between the toes. To keep your feet dry, wear cotton socks and change them if you notice that your feet are becoming moist. You may notice that some shoes cause your feet to sweat more than others. Avoid wearing shoes that cause excess sweating so that your feet stay dry and the athlete's foot fungus does not have an opportunity to spread.

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