Treatments for athlete's foot
Athlete's foot is relatively easy to recognise and to treat. Whilst there is a wide range of treatments available, poor compliance remains an issue. Once their symptoms have disappeared, sufferers may stop treating which often results in a relapse and reoccurrence of the infection.
It is important that you and your staff tell customers that, although the symptoms of athlete's foot will 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 athlete's foot treatments containing active ingredients such as:
- Clotrimazole
- Miconazole
- Tolnaftate
- Ketoconazole
- Terbinafine
- Undecenoates
When a customer presents with inflamed athlete's foot (with particularly red or inflamed skin), you should recommend an antifungal and anti-inflammatory cream, such as 1% clotrimazole 1% hydrocortisone (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, another topical antifungal should be used, e.g. a cream or spray so they continue to treat and clear the infection.
There are different formats available to suit customers' 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.
Click here for the Canesten Hydrocortisone prescribing information