From the Guidelines
Athlete's foot can be effectively treated with terbinafine 1% cream applied daily for 1 week, which has a mycological cure rate of approximately 94%. This treatment option is supported by a study published in Pediatrics in 2017 1. The study found that terbinafine 1% cream is effective in treating T cruris, and it is approved for children 12 years and older. Other treatment options, such as butenafine and clotrimazole, are also available over-the-counter, but terbinafine has been shown to be effective in treating athlete's foot.
When treating athlete's foot, it is essential to keep the feet clean and dry, change socks daily, wear breathable footwear, and avoid walking barefoot in public areas. These measures help prevent the fungus from thriving in warm, moist environments. Additionally, applying an absorbent powder and antifungal powders containing miconazole, clotrimazole, or tolnaftate in shoes and on the feet can help prevent reinfection 1. It is also crucial to discard old and moldy footwear or treat them with naphthalene mothballs to eliminate fungal elements.
Some key points to consider when treating athlete's foot include:
- Applying terbinafine 1% cream daily for 1 week
- Keeping feet clean and dry
- Changing socks daily
- Wearing breathable footwear
- Avoiding walking barefoot in public areas
- Applying antifungal powders in shoes and on the feet
- Discarding old and moldy footwear or treating them with naphthalene mothballs
It is essential to note that if symptoms persist after two weeks of treatment or if you have diabetes or a weakened immune system, you should consult a healthcare provider as complications can occur.
From the FDA Drug Label
Directions • adults and children 12 years and older o use the tip of the cap to break the seal and open the tube o wash the affected skin with soap and water and dry completely before applying o for athlete's foot wear well-fitting, ventilated shoes. Change shoes and socks at least once daily. ▪ between the toes only: apply twice a day (morning and night) for 1 week or as directed by a doctor. ▪ on the bottom or sides of the foot: apply twice a day (morning and night) for 2 weeks or as directed by a doctor. Directions clean the affected area and dry thoroughly apply a thin layer of the product over affected area twice daily (morning and night) or as directed by a doctor supervise children in the use of this product for athlete's foot: pay special attention to spaces between the toes; wear well-fitting, ventilated shoes, & change shoes & socks at least once daily for athlete's foot & ringworm, use daily for 4 weeks; for jock itch, use daily for 2 weeks if conditions persist longer, consult a doctor Uses • cures most athlete's foot (tinea pedis) • cures most jock itch (tinea cruris) and ringworm (tinea corporis) • relieves itching, burning, cracking and scaling which accompany these conditions
Athlete's foot treatment options include:
- Terbinafine (TOP): Apply twice a day for 1 week between the toes or 2 weeks on the bottom or sides of the foot 2
- Miconazole (TOP): Apply a thin layer twice daily for 4 weeks 3 Key points:
- Wear well-fitting, ventilated shoes and change shoes and socks at least once daily
- Wash the affected skin with soap and water and dry completely before applying the product
- Relieves itching, burning, cracking, and scaling that accompany athlete's foot 2
From the Research
Athlete's Foot Treatment Options
- Topical terbinafine 1% cream has been shown to be effective in treating athlete's foot, with a significant difference in combined mycologic and clinical results compared to placebo 4
- Improved foot hygiene, including socks and hosiery, is also a recommended intervention for athlete's foot treatment 5, 6
- Topical allylamines (naftifine and terbinafine), topical azoles (bifonazole, clotrimazole, econazole nitrate, miconazole nitrate, sulconazole nitrate, and tioconazole), and topical ciclopirox olamine are other treatment options that have been evaluated for their effectiveness and safety 5, 6
Treatment Efficacy
- Terbinafine 1% cream has been shown to be significantly more effective than placebo at the end of therapy (78% vs zero) and at the 2-week follow-up (89% vs zero) 4
- The quality of evidence for interventions has been evaluated using GRADE, providing information on the effectiveness and safety of various treatment options 5, 6