Treatment depends on the type of Athlete’s foot you have. For Athlete’s foot where the skin conditions are dry, you need to restore moisture by applying an anti-fungal cream or spray, sometimes combined with a steroid cream. If the skin conditions are moist this requires an altogether different type of treatment. Do not use moisturisers or powders as these may irritate the skin. However, powders are good for dusting inside shoes and trainers. A spirit-based preparation such as surgical spirit can help as it is cooling, soothing and antiseptic.
We will advise you as to which combination is best to use in between visits. If the fungal infection has spread to your nails, this can also be addressed by reducing the thickness and cutting back the nails thereby exposing the infected nail bed to a lighter, cooler environment or to application of appropriate treatment. Sometimes an anti-fungal tablet is prescribed by your GP.
You are advised to wash your feet in as cold water as you can bear (as hot water only makes your feet fungus-friendly). Then dry them thoroughly, either with a separate towel or kitchen roll. It is important to dab your feet dry rather than rub them, as rubbing tends to disturb any healing skin. You must remember to wash your hands thoroughly afterwards, or use disposable gloves so you don’t get the fungus on your hands at all.
Change your socks and footwear daily. Socks should be made of natural fibres like cotton, wool or bamboo. Wear flip-flops in the bathroom and in public showers. This will not only ensure that you don’t leave your dead skin around for others to pick up, but will stop you picking up other species of fungus. Do not stop good foot hygiene, shoe rotation and medication too soon. Symptoms may disappear after several days or weeks of treatment but the fungus can lie dormant and could eventually reappear if the environment is right. Some products need to be applied for many weeks, always follow the instructions.