Athletes Foot Treatment: What It Is and How To Treat It

If you are in search of an athlete‘s foot treatment, we recommend calling our office and scheduling an appointment right away. It is necessary to do so because this condition can become worse without professional care. Most people start by treating it at home, but if this does not work, it is necessary to visit our office right away.

WHAT IS ATHLETE‘S FOOT?

Athlete‘s foot is a fungus. This means that an antifungal medication should do the trick for fighting the condition. When it does not, a prescription is likely to be necessary.

MEDICATION

When one uses a cream to treat athlete‘s foot, over the counter or a prescription, they typically apply it directly to the infected area that has fungus. By applying the cream a couple times a day for a week or longer, the condition should go away. Sometimes, patients prefer to take a pill and so an antifungal prescription medication can be prescribed by our office.

It is important to note that an oral medication is typically prescribed as a last resort. Since this is a strong form of antifungal medication, we typically prefer to begin with a cream. Oral medications can have some side effects on the user.

SYMPTOMS OF ATHLETE’S FOOT

There are several types of athlete’s foot and everyone responds to the condition differently. It may manifest in between the toes and cause discomfort but not too much pain. However, if the condition is bad, it will result in the skin thickening on the heel and sole.

At this point, the condition will be difficult to treat without visiting a doctor for an athlete’s foot treatment. In addition to prescribing a cream, we may need to give an oral medication because the skin is too thick for the cream to truly penetrate. Some people also experience red bumps and sores which may also go away with a prescription.

CARE ROUTINE

Visiting our clinic for an athlete’s foot treatment is a wise option for eliminating the condition. However, to prevent the fungus from coming back, it will be necessary to adjust the daily care routine to stop the conditions in which the fungus can thrive. This routine involves keeping feet clean and dry. We recommend showering daily and anyone who engages in athletic activity should also shower after playing or practicing.

This will help to wash away the sweat and moisture that gets on feet during physical exercise. Next, it is important to wear clean and dry socks. People suffering from athlete’s foot may wish to change their socks multiple times a day to ensure their feet continue to remain dry. A powder can also help on a daily basis.

Avoid wearing shoes without socks and walking around barefoot. Doing both of these can lead to an exposure to the fungus that no one with athlete’s feet wants along with the likelihood that that fungus will grow and spread.

SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT

For help with athlete’s foot or to begin your athlete’s foot treatment, call our office and schedule an appointment. We can conduct an examination and let you know if a cream or oral medication will be required for treating the condition.