Treatment of Athletes Foot
A skin lesion biopsy examination or culture may show presence of fungus.
Anti-fungal (miconazole, clotrimazole, tolnaftate, ketoconazole) powders or creams help control the infection. To prevent the recurrence of the infection continue using these medicines for 1-2 weeks after the infection has cleared.
Wet dressings or medicated soaks are used to clean raw, wet or weeping lesions. Dry, scaly lesions may respond to topical creams or lotions.
Antibiotics may be needed to treat secondary bacterial infections.
Along with medications, hygiene plays an important role in managing an athlete's foot infection. The following things must be taken care of-
- Keep the skin clean and dry.
- Wash the feet thoroughly with soap and water and dry the area completely.
- Blow-drying the feet is more effective than drying with a towel.
- Wear clean socks. Change socks and shoes as often as necessary to keep the feet dry.
How can we diagnose Athlete's Foot ?
The diagnosis is based on the appearance of the skin. A skin lesion biopsy examination or culture may show presence of fungus.
