Athlete's foot is named for its high transfer rate between athletes through locker room and shower floors. It is a fungal infection that can develop between the toes and elsewhere on your foot, resulting in itching, stinging and burning on the skin. Athlete's foot is a common infection and is easily treated, but a severe case might be particularly painful or uncomfortable and may require more intense approaches to treatment. In these cases, you should visit a doctor to get the best treatment available.
Step 1
Wash your feet at least twice a day using soap and water. Once your feet have been cleaned, dry them thoroughly to keep the infected areas dry.
Step 2
Change your socks frequently throughout the day to keep them clean and dry. The absence of moisture will make it more difficult for the fungus to thrive.
Step 3
Apply an over-the-counter medication to the athlete's foot in a powder form or take an oral antifungal medication. According to the Mayo Clinic, over-the-counter medications include butenafine, clotrimazole, miconazole, terbinafine and tolnaftate.
Step 4
Visit your doctor to receive a prescription medication to treat your athlete's foot infection. These medications are the same as what you can get over-the-counter but in stronger dosages. If a bacterial infection also accompanies the athlete's foot infection, an antibiotic may be prescribed in addition to an antifungal medication. Your doctor may also have you apply wet dressing, vinegar soaks, steroid ointments or compresses to treat blistering, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Tips and Warnings
- A severe athlete's foot infection is one that persists after two to four weeks of self-care. Properly treat the infection at home before contacting a doctor. Even if you are concerned that the infection is serious, the doctor is likely to make you try at-home treatments and over-the-counter medications before providing a prescription medication.
Things You'll Need
- Soap
- Dry cloth
- Oral or topical medication
