What is athlete's foot?
Athlete's foot is a fungal infection of skin on the soles of the feet and between the toes. It often begins between the toes, where the athlete's foot fungus thrives in a warm, moist area. It can lead to scaly, itchy areas, and over time may cause your skin to crack and become sore.
Potential athlete's foot treatments and cures
Over-the-counter and prescription antifungal medicines can cure athlete's foot. Sometimes it can spread to the toenails which may require prescription medicine to cure. The fungus forms only in the upper, dead layer of your skin and doesn't penetrate deeper. But if the skin cracks during the infection, a bacterial infection can result. If this happens, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic medication.
Athlete's foot avoidance
Athlete's foot is contagious. The fungus can be passed from person to person in public
showers or around swimming areas. Bath mats or bath towels can also transfer the fungus from
one person to another. To prevent athlete's foot, keep your feet dry. To help absorb excess
moisture, wear socks made of cotton or wool or a blend of the two fabrics. Change your socks
often. Also, wear leather shoes and make sure they're well ventilated. Such shoes let airflow
around your feet, while synthetic shoes or shoes with waterproof uppers and rubber soles don't.
Changing shoes during the day also can help keep your feet cool and dry. Wear water shoes or
sandals in public showers and swimming areas to prevent contracting athlete's foot from
others.
Find over-the-counter products for athlete's foot on Walgreens.com.
If you're looking for more specific answers to specific questions, ask a Walgreens pharmacist here.
DISCLAIMER:
Answers to questions regarding information about medications or health conditions are not for
diagnostic or treatment purposes and are not conclusive as to the presence or absence of any
health condition. Consult your physician for diagnosis and treatment of your medical condition.
The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. Advances in medicine may cause
this information to become outdated, invalid or subject to debate. Professional opinions and
interpretations of the scientific literature may vary. Walgreens' terms of use and general
warranty disclaimer apply to all services provided. If you are in need of immediate medical
attention, contact your physician, poison control center or emergency medical professional. If
you need to speak with a pharmacist for non-emergency matters, contact your local Walgreens
pharmacist or call a Walgreens.com pharmacist toll-free at 1 (877) 250-5823.
