
Treatment of tinea pedis involves the application of topical antifungal drugs. Read on to know how to go about treating this common fungal infection of the foot…
One of the most common conditions that can affect an individual’s skin is a fungal infection which is commonly known as athlete’s foot. This is a fungal infection which is basically a dermatophyte infection which can occur either on the soles of the feet or on the skin between the toes. Athlete’s foot symptoms usually include the presence of scales which are pruritic and painful. The skin between the toes may be raw, peeling and there may also be a lot of erythema. Tinea pedis treatment needs to be meted out immediately in such cases, so as to get rid of the fungus and provide relief to the person. Given below are details regarding athlete’s foot symptoms and treatment.
Tinea Pedis Medication
The mainstay of treating tinea pedis is with the help of topical antifungal medications. Thankfully, this is a condition that does not require treatment of oral antifungal drugs, because it responds very well to topical application of antifungal creams. However, if a person has severe or a very longstanding case of fungal infection, then there may be need for treatment with oral medication as well. It is highly advisable that when it comes to using a tinea pedis treatment cream, you do not use a cream that relieves itching, because although this may help to relieve the symptoms associated with athlete’s foot, it will worsen the infection, as any kind of fungus tends to thrive in a moist environment. So, it is better to use an antifungal cream or gel to relieve the symptoms.
The various over the counter drugs that help in dealing with fungal infections include ketoconazole, itraconazole and nystatin. Usually, when creams containing these drugs are applied up to three times a day, then the skin usually responds very well and so, they have become the treatment of choice for complete athlete’s foot cure. However, for complete cure, you may need to use the prescribed ointment for a relatively longer period of time, like a month or two. This is to ensure that the fungus is completely eliminated and that there are minimal chances of recurrence. Also, usually the roots of the fungus lie deep in the skin, from where it obtains its nourishment in the form of glucose present in the blood. This is the reason why diabetics who do not follow a proper foot care regime are quite prone to this infection.
Tinea Pedis Home Remedies
Instead of following hardcore treatment guidelines, you can also use various athlete’s foot home remedies. These help to thwart the growth of the fungus, although they may not be completely curative in nature. You can use tea tree oil, which is said to have excellent fungicidal properties; applying it on the affected part daily can help to decrease the severity of the symptoms. One can also use Epsom salts and boric acid. Vinegar or more specifically, apple cider vinegar works great to help treat athlete’s foot, as do ginger and garlic, both of which have antifungal properties.
When a study was done, it was seen that less than half the cases actually showed remission and eventually complete riddance of the fungal infection when proper foot care was practiced. However, this is better to be used as a prevention measure, rather than relying on it to get rid of the infection altogether. When it comes to athlete’s foot, you need to be aware of the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment and prevention so that you are well informed and well equipped to deal with this condition.