After hitting the gym and showering off in the locker room, you developed itchy, burning, flaky feet. At first, you thought they were just dry because of the winter weather. You tried lotions, Vaseline, and warm water soaks, but they still wouldn’t clear up. You made an appointment to see your podiatrist and learned that you are actually suffering from tineas pedis, more commonly known as athlete’s foot. Luckily for you, there is a wide variety of treatment options for fungal disorders.
Over the Counter Options
Due to the nature of the fungus, athlete’s foot sometimes responds well to over-the-counter medicines. One frequently prescribed over-the-counter medication is Lamisil-AT. It is an effective fungal cream that typically begins to work after only a week of treatment. Other creams that also work are Desenex, Lotrimin, Monistat-Derm, and Tinactin. The latter four usually require four full weeks of treatment before seeing results, but they may also be effective at curing the condition.
Is the condition persistent or all over the sole and top of the foot? Then, it requires a special antifungal treatment that a podiatrist can prescribe. Usually, a lotion or spray will not work due to the severity of the fungus. If this occurs or your infection lasts more than two weeks with over-the-counter treatment, it is important to see a podiatrist right away.
Treating Athlete’s Foot
A foot doctor can diagnose tinea pedis by simply examining the affected foot or feet. In some cases, the podiatrist must take a small scraping of the skin and examine it under a microscope to further evaluate the type of fungus that is causing your symptoms. Other times it is sent to a laboratory for testing. The method varies depending on symptoms and severity.
Once the diagnosis is confirmed, the podiatrist will recommend a series of treatment options depending on the length and severity of a patient’s case.
Are your feet itchy, burning, and red after being exposed to a public area that is known for moisture and warmth? Have the itchy and scaly symptoms traveled to your hands as well? This sounds like a case of tinea pedis and should be treated by a podiatrist promptly.