Treatments for athlete's foot
Whilst there is a wide range of treatments available to treat athlete’s foot, poor compliance remains an issue. Once their symptoms have disappeared, sufferers may stop treating it, often resulting in a relapse and reoccurrence of the infection.
It is important that you tell patients that although the symptoms of athlete’s foot may disappear within a few days of treating, they must continue to treat for the specified period of time in order to clear the underlying infection.
There is a wide range of treatments containing active ingredients such as:
- Clotrimazole
- Bifonazole
- Miconazole
- Ketoconazole
- Terbinafine
- Tolnaftate
- Undecenoates.
When a patient presents with inflamed athlete’s foot (with particularly red or inflamed skin) you should recommend an antifungal and anti-inflammatory cream, such as 1% hydrocortisone and 1% clotrimazole (Canesten Hydrocortisone cream).
This will suppress the symptoms, including the inflammation, whilst treating the fungal infection. This combination product can be used for up to seven days and then after this, recommend the customer switches to another topical antifungal without hydrocortisone, e.g. a clotrimazole cream or spray so they continue to treat and clear the infection.
There are different formats available to suit patients’ needs. For example, encourage them to use a spray for those difficult-to-reach areas or a powder that can be applied to the skin, shoes and socks to prevent re-infection.
