From the Guidelines
Tolnaftate is not effective for the treatment of onychomycosis, and its use should be limited to the treatment of athlete's foot, jock itch, and ringworm infections. According to the British Association of Dermatologists' guidelines for the management of onychomycosis 1, the treatment of onychomycosis requires antifungal medications that are specifically designed to target fungal infections of the nail. Tolnaftate, on the other hand, is an over-the-counter antifungal medication that is primarily used to treat superficial fungal infections such as athlete's foot, jock itch, and ringworm.
The standard formulation of tolnaftate is a 1% concentration available as creams, powders, sprays, and solutions. For effective treatment of superficial fungal infections, apply tolnaftate to the affected area and surrounding skin twice daily (morning and evening) for at least two weeks, even if symptoms improve sooner. Continue treatment for 1-2 weeks after symptoms disappear to prevent recurrence. Before application, wash and thoroughly dry the affected area.
It's also important to note that tolnaftate can be used as a preventative measure to reduce the risk of reinfection with onychomycosis, by applying it to the feet and inside shoes 1. However, this should not be relied upon as the sole treatment for onychomycosis. For the treatment of onychomycosis, other antifungal medications such as terbinafine or itraconazole may be prescribed, depending on the severity and type of infection 1.
In terms of prevention, it's essential to practice good foot hygiene, wear protective footwear, and use antifungal powders or sprays to reduce the risk of fungal infections 1. If symptoms persist or worsen, it's crucial to consult a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment.
From the FDA Drug Label
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Overview of Tolnaftate
- Tolnaftate is an antifungal medication used to treat various fungal infections, including athlete's foot.
- However, the provided study does not specifically mention tolnaftate as a treatment option for athlete's foot.
Alternative Treatment Options
- The study 2 discusses the effectiveness and safety of various topical treatments for athlete's foot, including:
- Topical allylamines (naftifine and terbinafine)
- Topical azoles (bifonazole, clotrimazole, econazole nitrate, miconazole nitrate, sulconazole nitrate, and tioconazole)
- Topical ciclopirox olamine
- Improved foot hygiene, including socks and hosiery, is also mentioned as a potential intervention.
Limitations of the Study
- The study 2 does not provide information on the effectiveness of tolnaftate as a treatment for athlete's foot.
- The study's findings are based on a systematic review of 14 systematic reviews, RCTs, or observational studies that met the inclusion criteria, but tolnaftate is not mentioned as one of the interventions evaluated.