Treating Athlete's Foot: Shop Antifungal Creams, Sprays & More

Treating Athlete's Foot Fungal Infections

Athlete's foot is a common fungal infection that affects the feet. It can cause redness, itching, stinging and peeling between the toes and on the soles. For effective treatment, specialized products from stores focusing on athlete’s foot solutions can help.

Causes of Athlete’s Foot

Athlete’s foot is caused by fungi called tinea that thrive in warm, moist environments. Fungal spores can be picked up in areas like locker rooms, pools, showers and from contaminated socks or shoes. Once the fungus gets on your feet, it spreads resulting in infection.

Some risk factors that increase susceptibility include:

• Sweaty feet
• Wearing tight, nonbreathable shoes
• Walking barefoot in public places
• Weakened immune system
• Skin damage like cracks or cuts

Catching it early makes athlete’s foot easier to treat.

Signs of Athlete’s Foot

Common symptoms to watch for include:

• Itchy, red, peeling areas between the toes or on soles
• Stinging, burning sensation
• Dry, scaly skin
• Cracked toe skin
• Blisters or oozing sores
• Thickened, brittle toenails

See a dermatologist promptly if you suspect athlete’s foot for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Treating Athlete’s Foot at Home

Mild athlete’s foot infections can often be treated at home using specialized foot care products. Key tips include:

Practice Good Foot Hygiene

Wash feet daily with antibacterial soap and dry thoroughly, especially between the toes. This helps minimize fungus. Also wear clean cotton socks and avoid sharing towels or shoes.

Apply Antifungal Creams

Use over-the-counter antifungal creams containing ingredients like miconazole, clotrimazole or tolnaftate. Apply twice daily to affected areas for 1-2 weeks until fully resolved.

Try Antifungal Powders

Dusting antifungal foot powders containing zeasorb or tolnaftate onto feet and inside shoes helps keep them dry to discourage fungal growth.

Use Antifungal Sprays

Spraying feet and footwear with antifungal spray containing ingredients like butenafine, clotrimazole or tolnaftate also promotes healing while killing fungi.

Take Oral Medications

For moderate-severe athlete’s foot, oral prescription antifungals like terbinafine or itraconazole clear infection from inside out when applied creams aren’t enough.

Exfoliate Dead Skin

Gently scrubbing feet with a foot scrub or pumice stone sloughs away dead, infected tissue to expose and treat new emerging skin.

Keep Feet Dry

Thoroughly dry feet after bathing, wear moisture-wicking socks and use drying foot powders to prevent fungal spread.

Shopping for Athlete's Foot Products

Specialized foot care stores offer convenient one-stop shopping access to all the products needed to treat athlete’s foot and prevent recurrence after healing.

Key Products to Look For

When shopping for athlete’s foot solutions, look for these effective items:

• Antifungal creams/sprays - ketoconazole, clotrimazole, miconazole
• Foot powders - tolnaftate, clotrimazole, miconazole powder
• Antifungal soaps - tea tree oil, aloe vera, neem oil
• Foot scrubs - with tea tree, eucalyptus, mint
• Drying aids - foot driers, moisture-wicking socks

Other Helpful Purchases

Some other useful items to pick up for athlete’s foot recovery include:

• Clean cotton socks
• Flip flops or sandals
• Oral antifungal pills
• Nail files and clippers
• Foot bath tubs or basins

Having all the products you need in one place simplifies treating athlete’s foot at home.

Tips for Purchasing Athlete's Foot Products

Follow these tips when shopping for athlete’s foot treatments:

Consult with a Pharmacist

Ask a pharmacist for assistance choosing appropriate creams, sprays or oral medication for your case of athlete’s foot based on severity and location.

Compare Active Ingredients

Check that the active antifungal ingredients match proven athlete’s foot fighters like clotrimazole, tolnaftate, ketoconazole or terbinafine.

Choose Store Brands

Opt for the store brand versions of items like antifungal sprays and foot powders when possible to save money.

Check Concentrations

For creams, look for higher concentrations like 1% or 2% clotrimazole or miconazole for more potent anti-fungal action.

Buy Multiple Items

Stock up on key products you’ll need for the full treatment period, like creams, sprays and socks.

Consider Combo Packs

Combo packs with an assortment of creams, sprays and foot powders provide one easy athletic’s foot treatment kit.

Purchase Foot Care Basics

Round out your supplies with foot scrub brushes, nail files, dryer devices and shower shoes.

Applying Athlete's Foot Creams

Using antifungal creams is typically the first line of defense against athlete’s foot. Follow these tips for proper application and effectiveness:

Wash and Dry Feet

Cleanse feet thoroughly with soap and water and dry completely before applying creams for best absorption.

Apply Sufficient Amount

Use enough cream to fully coat affected areas, usually 1⁄4 inch thick layer. Don’t skimp.

Focus on Spaces

Target cream especially between the toes, undersides of feet and along edges of soles where fungus thrives.

Rub in Well

Gently massage the cream into the skin until fully absorbed instead of just smearing it on the surface.

Apply Twice Daily

Use athlete’s foot cream consistently morning and night for the full treatment course, usually 7-14 days.

Add After Baths

Reapply creams after bathing or showering to restore protection washed away.

Discard Old Creams

Throw out and replace creams past their expiration date for best performance.

Preventing Athlete's Foot Recurrence

After successful treatment, take proactive steps to prevent another bout of athlete’s foot infection:

Practice Good Hygiene

Wash feet daily, dry thoroughly between toes, wear clean socks and don’t share shoes or towels.

Use Antifungal Powder

Apply antifungal foot powder inside shoes and on feet periodically to prevent fungal recurrence.

Wear Flip Flops in Shared Spaces

Wear shower shoes or sandals in locker rooms, pools, showers and other damp public areas to avoid reinfection.

Treat Cracked Skin

Moisturize dry, cracked feet and treat ingrown nails to prevent skin breaks that could allow fungus back in.

Disinfect Shoes, Socks and Tools

Use disinfecting spray or UV light boxes to kill lingering fungus on footwear and pedicure tools between uses.

Get Medical Follow Up

See your doctor if athlete’s foot returns despite preventive steps to rule out other potential causes.

When to See a Doctor for Athlete's Foot

Visit a dermatologist or podiatrist if you experience:

• No improvement after 2 weeks of OTC treatments
• Athlete’s foot that keeps recurring
• Cracked, blistered or oozing sores
• Nail discoloration or thickening
• Foot pain or trouble walking
• Swollen toes or lymph nodes
• Fevers, chills or other flu symptoms

Advanced or worsening athlete’s foot can indicate a secondary infection or underlying health issue needing medical attention. Prescription oral antifungals may also be needed to fully eliminate severe or stubborn infections.

Athlete's Foot Treatment in Children

While less common in kids, athlete's foot can occur in children as well. Follow these tips for safe, effective treatment:

• Use gentle kid-friendly foot washes
• Look for creams with fewer harsh chemicals
• Supervise applications to avoid ingestion
• Have child wear socks over creams
• Use smaller doses based on age/weight
• Avoid oral antifungal pills
• Watch for allergic reactions
• Visit pediatrician for guidance

Catching and treating athlete's foot promptly in children prevents complications and recurrence. Using specialized foot care products from athlete’s foot stores simplifies managing this pesky fungal infection for the whole family.

In Summary

Athlete's foot fungal infections cause redness, burning and peeling between the toes and on foot soles. Specialized foot care stores offer a wide selection of effective antifungal creams, sprays, soaps and powders to treat athlete's foot at home. Combine prescription oral medication and preventive hygiene to stop recurring infections. See a doctor for any worsening foot symptoms or complications.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.