While we might all be curious about the best plunger or probiotic tampon or cold-sore remedy, it can be difficult to discuss these more personal items. That’s why we’re tackling Things We Don’t Talk About, a series in which we track down the best hygiene-, sex-, and bodily function–related things we all need but might be too embarrassed to ask about. In this installment, we consult experts on the best remedies for athlete’s foot.
Its technical name is tinea pedis — and athlete’s foot is actually a fungal infection, resulting in a sometimes red rash on the feet and in between toes, according to dermatologist Dr. Michele Green. “Often, but not always, it itches,” says Dr. Bruce Pinker, a board-certified podiatrist and foot surgeon. Athlete’s foot is a pretty common condition. The culprit is usually what you put on your feet — so you can blame it on too tight sneakers and sweaty socks. Unfortunately, it can happen to anyone: “The gold standard to prevent fungal infection is to stop wearing enclosed shoes. Understandably, that is not possible for most of us,” explains Dr. Edgard Nau of Manhattan Home Podiatric.
The condition is also contagious — spreading in shared spaces rife with bare feet like gyms, swimming pools, and locker rooms, Green told us. That’s why Florida-based dermatologist Todd Minars suggests drying the toe webs thoroughly post-shower, and Green advises packing a pair of flip-flops before heading out to those places. The best advice to avoid athlete’s foot in the first place? Keep your feet and shoes clean and dry — managing excessive perspiration with powders and changing socks frequently, cautions podiatrist Dr. Emily Splichal. Of course, there are over-the-counter solutions to help treat athlete’s foot. Still, if you feel that the infection is much more serious, Pinker points out that prescription creams and gels are necessary. If you’re looking for antifungal creams and sprays, powders, balms, and foot soaks that are more readily available and can help get rid of it fast, we asked dermatologists, podiatrists, and even a naturopathic physician for recommendations on how to treat athlete’s foot at home.
Best product to prevent athlete’s foot
Of course, if you have athlete’s foot and are looking to fend it off on your next run, Green recommends adding an antifungal powder for your feet to your routine. Nau seconded this, suggesting not to wear the same shoe two days in a row and to put powder on the insides of your preferred pair. Green says this powder from Lotrimin (a brand that several experts we talked to also gave their thumb’s up to, but more on that below) can be used daily to help absorb moisture, which can be effective in preventing the infection in the first place.
Best-overall product for athlete’s foot
Across the board, Lamisil was recommended by almost all the experts we spoke to as the best topical product for treating athlete’s foot. Available in cream and gel form, it’s a powerful, broad-spectrum antifungal that Maral K. Skelsey — the director of the Dermatologic Surgery Center of Washington — says is helpful because it does double duty in killing fungus and stopping its growth. “It is well-absorbed into the outer layer of the skin, which is where athlete’s foot lives. A cream formulation is good for someone with dry skin, whereas the gel or spray is preferable for anyone whose feet perspire a lot.” Podiatrist Amnon Barnea, owner of Walk NYC Podiatry, adds, “ I usually advise patients to wash their feet with an antibacterial soap and then dry their feet well before applying the cream.”
Best powder deodorant spray for athlete’s foot
Several of the experts we spoke to also recommended using Lotrimin’s popular foot products. Pinker explains that Lotrimin’s sprays are effective, especially if athlete’s foot is treated early on; since they’ve been available for a while now, they’ve proven to be beneficial. But you can also find the products in powder form. Both spray and powders contain the helpful antifungal miconazole. According to podiatrist Miguel Cunha, founder of Gotham Footcare, Lotrimin is “greaseless, odorless, and non-staining cream that soothes itching, burning, cracking, scaling, and discomfort.” Dermatologist Tsippora Shainhouse of the Dermatology Institute & Skin Care Center says miconazole is most effective at killing both yeast and fungus, and can be used twice a day for two to three weeks for the best results. Dr. Rebecca Pruthi of Foot Care of Manhattan is also “good at reducing odor.”
Best no-mess spray for athlete’s foot
For a spray that’s meant to be invisible (with little mess involved), Splichal recommends this one from Arm & Hammer to help fight against foot sweating. The company says this spray also features baking soda and other odor-neutralizing ingredients meant to absorb moisture.
Best liquid spray for athlete’s foot
If you prefer a liquid spray, Cunha likes the clinically effective Tinactin Antifungal Liquid Spray, which will dry out most fungus and help sooth itching and burning. Along with Lamisil and Lotrimin, Pinker calls Tinactin a useful over-the-counter solution, too.
Best powder for athlete’s foot
Zeasorb antifungal powder was another popular recommendation, since experts explain that its drier, powdery finish is ideal for treating athlete’s foot, rather than something that will make your feet wetter and swampier. Pinker specifically recommends the superabsorbent version of Zeasorb’s powder over other products from the brand (which he still deems acceptable for their anti-fungal abilities). Skelsey and Barnea both suggest applying this between your toes and right inside your shoes for the best results.
Best medicated towels for athlete’s foot
If you prefer a medicated foot towel, podiatrist Priya Parthasarathy loves these because they contain tolnaftate, a potent antifungal. As a bonus, they’re also alcohol-free so they won’t dry skin out.
Best athlete’s foot product for diabetics
And because athlete’s foot is often linked to toenail fungus — podiatrist Paul I. Belitz explains that bacteria, fungus, and viral pathogens from one part of the foot can easily contaminate and reinfect another area if left untreated — it’s helpful to use a two-pronged approach that will treat toe fungus, as well. He says that anyone who isn’t willing to see a specialist should at least try something like Gold Mountain Beauty’s Total Foot Care line — which sells a fungal nail eliminator — especially if you’re diabetic and more prone to serious foot problems.
Best rinse solutions for athlete’s foot
Minars recommends the rinse solution Domeboro, which is used to calm skin irritations and rashes, so it will be useful for curbing the itch.
With calming ingredients like aloe vera and jojoba oil, which are helpful for relieving itching and irritation, this option is another one of Green’s recommendations — for those who want to include a rinse in their athlete’s foot treatment plan. “This is an all-over body wash that can be applied to the affected areas and then rinsed off in the shower to eliminate bacteria, fungus, and odor,” she says.
Best at-home rinse solution for athlete’s foot
Minars says he doesn’t typically recommend household items for dealing with a fungal skin problem like this that can involve bacteria, but he does find white vinegar helpful because it kills gram-negative bacteria. “You could do a 1:1 white-vinegar-to-water solution and use it to soak your feet and then dry them thoroughly.” The drying thoroughly part is key: Canuso says that soaking your feet might help the fungus temporarily, but can risk keeping the area moist (and make things worse). Dermatologist Paul Dean of Grossmont Dermatology Medical Clinic says even an at-home baking-soda mixture will work because baking soda has been shown to have antifungal properties. He recommends soaking your feet in warm water in a large bucket or basin mixed with about a half-cup of baking soda, for about 15 minutes twice a day.
Best natural product for athlete’s foot
For a more natural option, Canuso and Katie Stage — a naturopathic physician at the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and Medical Center — both like tea-tree oil because it has some antifungal and antiseptic properties. Stage says she sees limited results with its use alone, which is why she suggests trying a few drops of the stuff after applying something to dry the feet first, such as arrowroot powder, and combining it with other essential oils (a mix of oregano, thyme, and lavender). Cunha is also a fan of tea tree oil and recommends doing a tea tree oil soak by putting a few drops of it in warm water.
Best foot soak for athlete’s foot
Likewise, Green likes tea tree oil to help soothe symptoms like burning, swelling, and itching that are associated with athlete’s foot. “Blended with lavender, chamomile, and peppermint essential oils, this foot soak also helps to combat foot odors that commonly accompany a case of athlete’s foot.” But this soak shouldn’t take the place of other treatments, like the creams and sprays mentioned above — Green recommends this as a supplement that “should not be relied on to solely cure a fungal infection.”
Best product for disinfecting shoes
According to Barnea, “given the risk of recurrence frequently caused by the fungal pathogens inside shoes, it is strongly recommended to simultaneously treat shoes with an antifungal method. Both he and Parthasarathy recommend the SteriShoe, an in-shoe device that uses UV light to deodorize and disinfect. Barnea notes that while it is “a bit pricey,” it is absolutely “the best method.” Parthasarathy says, “you must treat your environment to reduce the chance of re-infection.”
[Editor’s note: While it’s out of stock on Amazon, you can find the SteriShoe Essential, which is on backorder at the moment, from the retailer’s own site.]
Best (less-expensive) products for disinfecting shoes
For a more affordable disinfecting product, Cunha recommends using Lysol to sanitize their shoes and shoe inserts.
If you’re looking for a more shoe-specific spray, Green also suggests this one from Elite Sportz, calling it “a great product for disinfecting and deodorizing socks, shoes, and feet.” Green points out that its blend of essential oils can leave shoes “smelling fresh and feeling renewed.”
Best socks for preventing athlete’s foot
Parthasarathy tells her patients to wear lightweight socks which wick away moisture and to change them frequently if you perspire heavily. She loves these athletic running socks from Feetures and also suggests changing shoes and socks regularly to decrease moisture, especially right after the gym.
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