Athlete’s foot is notorious for causing itchiness, burning, cracking, and peeling skin between the toes and on the bottoms of your feet. These symptoms can often make it uncomfortable to walk or go about your day. To make matters worse, this condition doesn’t resolve on its own. Fortunately, you can quickly and effectively treat athlete's foot with several different over-the-counter medications. To help remedy fungal infections, we researched dozens of athlete's foot treatments and evaluated them for their effectiveness, price, accessibility, active ingredients, and application type. The result is a roundup of remedies in every form available. From gels, creams, and powders to sprays, foot soaks, and wipes, you will find what you need to address this painful, itchy condition. Here’s what you need to know about athlete’s foot and the best ways to treat it. Athlete’s foot (also known as tinea pedis or foot ringworm) is a fungal infection that impacts the feet. Caused by various fungi, athlete’s foot can impact any part of your foot but is most commonly found in the spaces between the toes. It is also not uncommon for people with athlete’s foot to have skin fissures or scales that can be red and itchy. Athlete’s foot is most common in men and older people and impacts 3% to 15% of the population. Common active ingredients in athlete's foot treatments include: Our Top Picks Most Recommended By Experts: Best Foot Soak: Best Medicated Wipes: Best Natural Treatment: In This Article What Is Athlete’s Foot? Ingredients in Athlete's Foot Treatments What Healthcare Providers Want You to Know Our Picks How We Selected Our Experts FAQ Why Trust Verywell Health Pros Cures athlete’s foot in one week Does not stain clothes or sheets Ideal for dry skin Cons Not suitable for children younger than 12 Requires touching the infected area Form: Cream | Size: 1 ounce | Active Ingredients: Terbinafine hydrochloride When deciding which treatment for athlete’s foot deserved the top honors, it was an easy decision to select Lamisil AT, especially since most of our experts recommend it to their patients. Not only does this powerful, broad-spectrum antifungal cream cure most cases of athlete's foot within one week, including between the toes, but it also provides instant relief from the itching, burning, cracking, and scaling that athlete’s foot produces. And, if you have dry skin—which sometimes accompanies athlete’s foot—you will appreciate the soothing nature of this cream on those itchy bumps. As a bonus, this cream-based product absorbs into the skin quickly and helps prevent reinfection for up to three months. It is also generally more soothing than powders. Plus, you don’t have to worry about it staining your clothes or bed linens so you can apply it whenever suits you best. Due to its powerful nature, Lamisil AT is not suitable for children younger than 12 years old. Also, because this is a cream, you will have to touch the infected area when applying it, but you can remedy this by wearing nitrile gloves or purchasing the spray version. Pros Keeps feet dry and itch-free Ideal for sweaty feet Safe for kids over age two Cons Can be difficult to get between toes Can be messy Form: Powder | Size: 2.5 ounces | Active Ingredients: Miconazole nitrate Zeasorb Antifungal Treatment Powder is an extremely soothing foot powder that will get you through the day without any itching or burning. Not only will it help your feet stay cool and dry, but it also reduces itching on the spot. And, the miconazole nitrate in this foot powder helps clear most cases of athlete’s foot when used consistently. This foot powder is also a particularly good option for those with sweaty feet—just pair it with moisture-wicking socks and you are good to go. More importantly, keeping your feet dry will help the fungus from growing and spreading. Because this treatment comes in powder form, it can be a challenge to get between the toes. It also can be messy and spill on the floor, so you may want to put a towel under your feet when you are applying it. Pros Dry and odorless Does not stain clothes or sheets Easy to get in hard-to-reach spaces Cons May take time to see results Form: Powder spray. | Size: 4.6 ounces| Active Ingredients: Miconazole nitrate Lotrimin AF powder spray is a greaseless, odorless, and non-staining powder that soothes itching, burning, cracking, scaling, and discomfort. It goes on dry, reduces foot odor, and provides effective relief from the symptoms of athlete’s foot. And because it’s a spray, there is no need to touch the infected area. More importantly, it will cure most cases of athlete’s foot when used as directed, especially in those hard-to-reach places like in between the toes. The best part about powder formulas like this one is that they contain active fungal-fighting ingredients while also working to dry out any moist areas. As a result, Lotrimin AF spray might be the best option for those who are trying to prevent recurrence. It’s also safe to use on kids ages two and older. The active ingredient in Lotrimin AF is miconazole, which takes longer to work than stronger active ingredients. Pros Helps prevent recurrence Does not easily rub off Odorless formula Cons Requires touching the infected area Form: Cream | Size: 1 ounce | Active Ingredients: Tolnaftate For those who prefer creams over powders, you cannot go wrong with Tinactin Antifungal Cream, especially if you have dry, cracked, or scaling skin. This athlete’s foot cream cures most forms of athlete's foot and helps prevent it from recurring—a real plus for anyone prone to developing athlete’s foot regularly. We also appreciate that this over-the-counter antifungal cream relieves itching, burning, and cracking all while being odorless. Plus, it goes on smoothly, does not rub off very easily, and has an odor-fighting agent that will help prevent your feet from smelling after a long day of wearing shoes. If the idea of touching the infected areas of your athlete’s foot is not appealing, this cream may not be the best option for you. However, Tinactin does come in other formulas including a liquid spray and a powder spray. Pros Deodorizes smelly feet Soothes away burning and itching Softens calluses Cons Does not cure athlete’s foot Form: Powder | Size: 16 ounces | Active Ingredients: Tea tree oil Sometimes the itching and burning associated with athlete’s foot can feel unbearable, especially after a long day on your feet. Fortunately, you may be able to eliminate that discomfort by using a foot soak like Foot Cure’s Tea Tree Oil Foot Soak. While research is limited, there are some studies that tea tree oil may help address athlete’s foot, especially when it comes to reducing symptoms like burning, swelling, and itching. This foot soak also has a wonderful aroma and helps combat foot odors that are commonly associated with athlete’s foot. It can also soften those pesky calluses on your feet, soothe away tiredness and fatigue, and potentially even address nail discoloration. You can even count on this foot soak to alleviate and rehydrate dry, flaky skin. Lastly, if you are prone to athlete’s foot, you can use this foot soak to keep your feet clean and refreshed—which is a necessity in the prevention of athlete’s foot going forward. Just be sure to consistently sanitize your foot bath after using this soak. While this foot soak is soothing, it is not meant to treat athlete’s foot. Instead, it should be used as a complementary treatment to soothe symptoms. Pros Exfoliates and softens skin Deodorizes smelly feet Alcohol-free, no-touch formulation Cons Only 14 towelettes per package Form: Medicated Wipe | Size: 14 towelettes | Active Ingredients: Tolnaftate Awarded with the American Podiatric Medical Association’s Seal of Approval, these alcohol-free Smooth AF Medicated foot wipes are a great option for stopping foot fungus in its tracks. Not only does the product’s tolnaftate help clear up existing athlete’s foot but, with regular use, it can also prevent it from coming back as well. Plus, stinky foot odor will be replaced with the clean and fresh scent of eucalyptus and peppermint. These towelettes are even slightly textured to help exfoliate your feet, helping to soothe and improve the health of your skin. You will also be able to get between the toes without worrying about touching the infected areas in the application process. Because there are only 14 towelettes per package, ongoing treatment can get costly, especially if you are using them to clean your feet more than once a day. Pros Removes fungus from the skin’s surface Helps refresh and deodorize skin Contains top-notch ingredients Cons Does not cure athlete’s foot Form: Gel soap | Size: 13.5 ounces | Active Ingredients: Tea tree oil Formulated with 100% plant-based extracts, this PediFix FungaSoap is a unique blend of tea tree oil and other essential oils that will keep your skin feeling clean and refreshed. Not only does it function as a natural disinfectant for your skin and nails, but it can also be used to prevent fungal infections. You can use it alone if you are prone to athlete’s foot, or as a complement to your current athlete’s foot treatment plan. It is made with top-notch ingredients including mineral oil so you do not have to worry about the purity of the product. And you can count on it to relieve your discomfort from itchy, cracked, or irritated skin. It will even help neutralize odors that can come from excessive sweating or active infections. This rinse is designed to be used as a preventative measure or alongside over-the-counter treatment options for athlete’s foot, so it will not cure athlete’s foot alone. Pros Easy, no-touch application Contains cooling menthol Travels well Cons Goes on wet Form: Spray | Size: 5.3 ounces | Active Ingredients: Tolnaftate If your kids are active in sports like swimming, track and field, or even baseball, athlete’s foot could potentially become a regular occurrence due to the moist environments they are often exposed to like pool decks and locker room showers. For this reason, you need something that applies easily, travels well, helps prevent the recurrence of athlete’s foot, and cools itching and burning on contact—and Dr. Scholl’s Instant Cool Spray fits the bill. Not only does this liquid spray provide 24-hour relief, but it also contains menthol to help cool down inflamed areas almost immediately. Plus, it is made with tolnaftate, a powerful anti-fungal that cures and prevents most types of athlete’s foot. We also appreciate that this maximum-strength spray is easy to apply and does not require you to touch infected areas—a real plus if your kids are young and need help with the application. It is also invisible once applied and does not leave behind a powdery residue. Just be sure you do not use it on kids younger than two years old unless directed to do so by a medical professional. If you prefer a treatment that neutralizes odor, we also recommend Kerasal 5-in-1 Gel for children. It contains essential oils to deodorize smelly feet naturally and comes with a no-touch applicator to avoid mess. But If you don’t like the idea of a gel, it is also available in a spray or a foot soak. Because this is a liquid spray, it is a little wet at first so you may need to wait for it to dry before putting on socks, which can be challenging for little kids. Pros Contains only plant-based ingredients Soothes away burning and itching Helps prevent fungal infections Cons May not see quick results Not suitable for severe athlete’s foot Form: Cream | Size: 3.4 ounces | Active Ingredients: Tea tree oil, coconut oil, eucalyptus, lavender, vitamin C, vitamin E, omegas If you are a lover of all things natural, then you will appreciate Pharmanerve’s all-natural, non-greasy cream for athlete's foot. Not only does this plant-based product help address uncomfortable fungal conditions, but it also helps nourish and hydrate your skin without any artificial ingredients like steroids, fragrances, sulfates, or parabens. It’s also gluten-free, cruelty-free, and eco-friendly. This option is formulated with a host of 20-plus all-natural ingredients like tea tree oil, coconut oil, eucalyptus, lavender, vitamin C, vitamin E, omegas, and olive oil. It also provides long-lasting relief from itchy, dry, or cracked skin while preventing the development of fungal conditions. It can even be used for eczema, psoriasis, and other itchy, scaly conditions. If cream feels a bit too messy for you, however, we also recommend TruRemedy Tea Tree Oil foot balm, which is made from organic tea tree oil, eucalyptus, and lavender essential oils. It’s easy to apply and absorbs quickly, leaving skin feeling hydrated. We appreciate that this option doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals like preservatives, petroleum, silicone, or dyes. Because this treatment option contains all-natural ingredients and not over-the-counter medications, some people may not see quick results. If you have a severe case of athlete’s foot, this product may not be suitable for you. Athlete’s foot can be uncomfortable, itchy, and frustrating to deal with, but it can usually be addressed with over-the-counter products. So, we set out to find the most effective treatments on the market. To start, we talked with several experts in addition to thoroughly researching the best products on the market. Here is a closer look at some of the things we considered during our selection process. How long does it take for an athlete's foot treatment to work? Most treatment options offer immediate relief from itching and burning. However, it can take a week or two before the infection starts to clear and up to four weeks for it to resolve completely. How effective are athlete’s foot remedies? Although athlete’s foot rarely goes away on its own, most cases are treatable with an over-the-counter cream, spray, or powder. Just be sure to use your chosen treatment method as directed and to keep your feet clean and dry. Is athlete’s foot contagious? Because athlete’s foot is a fungus, it can spread easily from person to person, says Linda Stein Gold, MD, head of dermatology at Henry Ford Health System in West Bloomfield, Michigan. If you have the condition, you will need to avoid sharing shoes, socks, slippers, and towels and also wear socks or slippers in the house to avoid spreading it. How can I prevent athlete's foot? The best way to prevent athlete’s foot is to keep your feet clean and dry, says Ami Sheth, MD, a podiatry specialist in Los Gatos, California. Aside from regular bathing and drying your feet after, this also means wearing clean socks every day and airing out your shoes in the sun if they are particularly sweaty or damp. What is the strongest treatment for athlete’s foot? Athlete’s foot is usually treated with topical allylamines (naftifine and terbinafine), topical azoles (clotrimazole, miconazole nitrate, tioconazole, sulconazole nitrate, and econazole nitrate) and topical ciclopirox olamine. Research shows that topical allylamines have fewer treatment failures compared to others, but there is not one treatment that is more effective than another. Sherri Gordon, CLC, is an author and journalist who covers health and social issues and has a passion for connecting people with the right products to address their medical needs and concerns. Through careful research, Sherri developed a comprehensive list of options to treat athlete’s foot so you could make an informed decision and find the relief you need. What Is Athlete’s Foot?
Ingredients in Athlete's Foot Treatments
What Healthcare Providers Want You to Know
Most Recommended By Experts
Lamisil Athlete's Foot Antifungal Cream
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Best Powder
Zeasorb Antifungal Treatment Powder,
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