Athlete’s Foot: What Gets Rid of Fungus for Good?

Athlete's foot (tinea pedis) is a common fungal infection of the feet. It is often found between the toes and on the soles of the feet.

Fortunately, many home remedies and antifungals treat it. Some are stronger and work faster than others, with antifungals being the most effective and acting the quickest.

This article explains different treatments for mild athlete's foot and how to keep it from recurring.

Quick Treatment for Mild Athlete’s Foot

If you have fungus on your feet, you are probably looking for fast relief. For mild infections, first-line treatment includes a topical antifungal cream applied one to two times per day for one to six weeks, depending on the type.

Topical antifungals used to treat athlete's foot include:

• Allylamines (terbinafine)
• Azoles (ketoconazole)
• Benzylamine
• Ciclopirox
• Tolnaftate
• Amorolfine
  

People with mild athlete's foot usually respond to a shorter treatment (one week), while those with a more severe infection may need treatment for a month or more. Topical antifungals are usually well-tolerated, and side effects are often site-related pain or itching.

A Word From Verywell

I recommend changing your shoes daily for at least 24 hours to allow them to dry between wears. Drying between toes after bathing, not applying lotion between toes, and keeping feet and shoes clean and dry can help prevent a recurrence.

— SARAH RICHARDS, DPM, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD

Understanding Where Your Athlete’s Foot Came From

Athlete's foot is caused by fungus—most often Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton interdigitale. Fungal overgrowth occurs in dark, damp places, so it commonly affects the feet. Sweaty feet trapped in socks and shoes are the perfect environment for fungus to thrive and grow.

Some things make you more likely to develop athlete's foot, including:

• Using a locker-room shower
• Having a family history of athlete's foot
• Experiencing nail trauma
• Wearing used shoes
• Using antifungal drugs
• Participating in sports or other physical activities
• Wearing occlusive (unbreathable) shoes
• Swimming in public pools
• Sitting in a sauna or steam room
• Getting a pedicure
• Having a fungal fingernail infection
• Taking immunosuppressive drugs

Are You Sure It’s Athlete’s Foot?

Sometimes, people with foot symptoms wonder if it's dry skin or athlete's foot. It's a good question since the athlete's foot can look like dry skin and other skin conditions.

Symptom Appearance

Healthcare providers can often identify athlete's foot by its appearance, which includes:

• Dry skin
• Scaling or peeling skin
• Inflamed or swollen skin
• Athlete's foot blisters

If blisters break open, you may notice raw tissue that becomes swollen.

Symptom Sensations

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If you have athlete's foot, the sensations may give it away. Athlete's foot causes itching and burning sensations, especially between the toes. These sensations may spread and become more intense as the infection spreads to other parts of the feet.

Symptom Onset

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After your feet are exposed to the fungus that causes athlete's foot, it can take some time for symptoms to develop. Most people notice symptoms a few days to two weeks after exposure.

Athlete’s Foot Not Improving

If your athlete's foot is not improving or you have extreme foot fungus, it's time to see a healthcare provider. Signs you should seek medical care for athlete's foot include:

• Foot swelling
• A foot that's warm to the touch
• Red streaks or pain
• Pus
• Drainage
• Fever
• Symptoms that do not go away within two to four weeks with at-home care

These symptoms may indicate that you have a bacterial infection or that you require a stronger treatment.

Comparing Athlete’s Foot Treatments

How do you get athlete's foot to go away? There are nondrug, over-the-counter (OTC) treatments, and prescription treatments.

Nondrug

Some home remedies for athlete's foot include:

• Herbal foot baths
• Applying apple cider vinegar
• Tea tree oil

In mild cases, these may help, but home remedies have little to no evidence supporting their efficacy.

OTC Options

OTC antifungals for athlete's foot include:

• Lamisil (terbinafine)
• Lotrimin, Mycelex (clotrimazole)
• Tinactin, Desenex, Absorbine, Blis-To-Sol, Ting (tolnaftate)
• Micatin (miconazole)
• Blis-To-Sol liquid, Cruex (undecylenic acid)

These preparations may come in creams, sprays, powders, or drops.

Prescription-Grade Antifungals

If you require a stronger medication, prescription antifungals are available. These oral medications include:

• Terbinafine
• Itraconazole
• Ketoconazole
• Fluconazole
• Griseofulvin
• Bovine lactoferrin
  

What Happens If Athlete’s Foot Goes Untreated?

Athlete's foot will not go away on its own, so it's important to treat it. Left untreated, deep cracks and skin breaks can occur. This can make it more likely that a bacterial infection will set in. It also could spread to other parts of your body, including your groin.

How to Keep Athlete’s Foot From Returning

When athlete's foot doesn't fully resolve or if your feet are continually exposed to the fungus that causes it, you may experience recurrent athlete's foot. Here are some ways to prevent athlete's foot from returning:

• Wear flip-flops in locker rooms and pools.
• Keep your feet dry. 
• Wear breathable shoes.
• Wash your feet every day with soap and water.
  
• Wear socks made of natural fabrics.
• Change your socks every day and when they get wet.
• Make sure your shoes are dry when you put them on.
• Don't share towels or other linens or shoes with someone who has athlete's foot.
  

Summary

Fungus causes athlete's foot. Many treatments exist, but topical antifungal medicine is the quickest and most effective. If your at-home efforts don't work within a couple of weeks, seek help from a healthcare provider.

Symptoms of athlete's foot include dry, peeling, or inflamed skin. It typically occurs between the toes. To prevent athlete's foot, don't walk around barefoot in locker rooms or pools, keep your feet dry, wash your feet daily, and wear breathable shoes.