Over-the-Counter Antifungal Medications for Athlete's Foot (2024)

Athlete's foot can usually be treated with over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Lamisil, Lotrimin, and Tinactin are some foot fungus treatments you may already be familiar with, but there are several other options at your local drugstore.

Most over-the-counter athlete's foot medications are usually able to resolve this common fungal infection in a few weeks. If itching, burning, and cracked and scaly skin between your toes persists, you may need a prescription instead.

This article provides an in-depth look at antifungal ingredients found in popular OTC athlete's foot treatments. It also explains how to use these topical treatments and when to see a doctor for athlete's foot.

How to Get Rid of Athlete's Foot

Terbinafine

Active ingredient: Terbinafine

Common brand names: Lamisil AT, Lamisil Once. Generics are available. Lamisil comes in a spray and powder spray, in addition to the cream form.

How it works: The most effective of all OTC treatments, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians, terbinafine is an antifungal product that kills the fungus and keeps it from coming back by inhibiting an enzyme it requires to grow.

How and when to use: Applying original Lamisil cream once a day for one week heals up to 97% of all cases, according to the Academy. A single application of the newer, film-forming Lamisil Once effectively treats athlete's foot.

Important information: In very rare cases, adverse effects may include blistering, itching, redness, or irritation.

Because terbinafine works twice as fast as other foot fungus treatments, you'll probably need only one tube instead of two or more, so you might save money. The film-forming, one-time-use variety costs more.

Clotrimazole

Active ingredient: Clotrimazole

Common brand names: Lotrimin, Mycelex. Generics are available. Lotrimin also comes in a spray and powder spray, in addition to the cream form.

How it works: Clotrimazole is an enzyme-inhibiting product that gets rid of fungus and prevents it from growing back.

How and when to use: Apply a small amount of clotrimazole twice a day for two to four weeks.

Important information: Avoid using other topical creams or lotions with clotrimazole, as they might reduce the drug's effectiveness. Call your healthcare provider if you experience severe blistering or other signs of further irritation or if your athlete's foot doesn't clear up in four weeks.

Tolnaftate

Active ingredients: Tolnaftate

Common brand names: Tinactin, Desenex spray, Absorbine, Blis-To-Sol, Ting. Generics are available.

How it works: Tolnaftate inhibits an enzyme to stop the growth of fungus and prevent its recurrence.

How and when to use: Apply gel, cream, lotion or spray two times daily for two to six weeks.

Important information: Call your healthcare provider in the unlikely event that the use of tolnaftate results in severe blistering, itching, redness, peeling, drying, or irritation.

Miconazole

Active ingredient: Miconazole

Common brand names: Micatin. Generics are available.

How it works: Miconazole halts and prevents fungal growth by inhibiting an enzyme.

How and when to use: Apply the cream, lotion, spray or powder twice a day for four weeks.

Important information: See a healthcare provider if irritation or blisters develop.

Undecylenic Acid

Active ingredient: Undecylenic acid

Common brand names: Blis-To-Sol liquid, Cruex

How it works: Undecylenic acid is an antifungal fatty acid that kills fungus and stops it from growing on the skin.

How and when to use: Use undecylenic acid two times a day for four weeks.

Important information: Irritation and other possible adverse effects are rare. Your visible symptoms may disappear before the condition is actually cured.

Continue to use your antifungal medication for the recommended time period, even if your fungus appears to be cured.

How to Use Topical Antifungal Medications

The following tips can help you get a safe and effective application of your athlete's foot medication:

  • Clean and dry the affected skin, especially between toes, before applying antifungal products. One good way to dry the webbing between your toes is by using lamb's wool, which can be purchased at any drug store.
  • Wash your hands before and after using these medicines to keep the infection from spreading to your fingers and fingernails. Avoid touching your mouth, nose, or eyes until your hands are clean.
  • Cover the area with loose gauze after application. Avoid tight-fitting bandages to allow air circulation.

As you go on with your day:

  • Go barefoot when possible.
  • Wear 100% cotton socks when you must.
  • If you have to wear shoes, choose loose-fitting options, sandals, or flip-flops. Well-ventilated options and those made of a natural material like leather are best.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

Over-the-counter topical antifungal medications are a good option for mild cases of athlete's foot. But if your athlete's foot doesn't get better after about four weeks, it's time to see a healthcare provider.

You may need prescription topical antifungal medications, which are stronger and more effective than anything available OTC.

Furthermore, your healthcare provider may prescribe you an antifungal that you take by mouth.

Notably, oral antifungal medications need to be taken for several months and can cause liver damage. Your healthcare provider may need to follow your liver enzymes, and people with liver damage shouldn't take the drug.

Finally, bacterial infections could result from itching and scratching. If this occurs, you may require prescription antibiotics in addition to antifungal medication.

Over-the-Counter Antifungal Medications for Athlete's Foot (2024)

FAQs

Over-the-Counter Antifungal Medications for Athlete's Foot? ›

Athlete's foot cream

What is the strongest over the counter medicine for athlete's foot? ›

The antifungal terbinafine (Lamisil AT) has been shown to be very effective. Another option is clotrimazole (Lotrimin AF). You may need to experiment to find the product and formulation — ointment, gel, cream, lotion, powder or spray — that work for you.

What is the strongest OTC antifungal? ›

Rankings: Antifungal Cream
RankBrandActive/Key Ingredients (sample product)
#1 Score: 100Lotrimin UltraButenafine HCl
#2 Score: 76Lamisil ATTerbinafine HCl
#3 Score: 37TinactinTolnaftate
#4 Score: 12ZeasorbMiconazole Nitrate (2%)
2 more rows

What antifungal pill is good for athlete's foot? ›

The tablets taken to treat athlete's foot generally contain the active ingredients itraconazole or terbinafine. Itraconazole is usually taken once daily for four weeks (dose: 100 mg). Terbinafine is typically taken once daily for two weeks (dose: 250 mg).

Is Lamisil or Lotrimin better for athlete's foot? ›

Trying a different antifungal cream may also be helpful. Some studies have reported that products containing terbinafine (Lamisil) were more effective than those with clotrimazole (Lotrimin) and similar medications. Prescription oral medications may be required to treat more severe cases. — William Kormos, M.D.

How do I get rid of athlete's foot ASAP? ›

Over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription antifungal creams, ointments, gels, sprays or powders effectively treat athlete's foot. These products contain clotrimazole, miconazole, tolnaftate or terbinafine. Some prescription antifungal medications for athlete's foot are pills.

What can be mistaken for athlete's foot? ›

Athlete's foot and eczema both cause itchy, red, inflamed skin. Athlete's foot is a fungal infection, while eczema is likely to have genetic or environmental causes. Athlete's foot typically occurs on the feet and toes, while eczema is more widespread.

What kills fungus completely? ›

Ketoconazole will kill the fungus and prevent it from growing back. Alternatively, common shampoos, like Head and Shoulders, contain selenium sulfide, another antifungal agent. Do a bit of shopping and find an over-the-counter shampoo that works for you.

Can you buy oral antifungal medicine over-the-counter? ›

Some antifungals are available without a prescription from a pharmacy, but others require a prescription. Antifungals are available as a cream, oral drop, lozenge, pessary, nail lacquer, tablet or injection.

Which is better for athlete's foot, clotrimazole or tolnaftate? ›

Conclusions. Clotrimazole cream treatment is more effective than tolnaftate for uncomplicated otomycosis.

Why won't my athlete's foot clear up? ›

Fungal infections are often more resistant to at-home treatments and antifungal drugs. Fungi can develop a resistance to antifungal medication; the same way bacteria do to antibiotics. Resistance occurs when germs become capable of defeating the medicine that is supposed to kill them.

Should I sleep with socks on if I have an athlete's foot? ›

If you have athlete's foot, it's a good idea to wear socks to bed, especially if you share your bed with another person. This can help prevent transmitting the fungus to others.

Can you buy fluconazole over the counter? ›

Fluconazole is available on prescription. You can also buy it from a pharmacy for vagin*l thrush or balanitis (brand names include Azocan and Canesten Thrush Oral Capsules). For thrush, you can also buy fluconazole capsules with clotrimazole cream from pharmacies (brand names include Canesten Thrush Duo).

What is the strongest antifungal for athlete's foot? ›

What is the best cream for an athlete's foot? For athlete's foot, try applying an antifungal product such as terbinafine (Lamisil AT) or clotrimazole (Lotrimin AF).

Can hydrogen peroxide cure athlete's foot? ›

Home remedies like tea tree oil and hydrogen peroxide can ease symptoms, but they won't cure athlete's foot on their own. If your infection hasn't gone away after 3 to 4 weeks, see your healthcare provider. You may need prescription-strength treatment to cure your athlete's foot.

How long does it take Lotrimin Ultra to cure athlete's foot? ›

How long does it take for Lotrimin® products to work? For athlete's foot: Lotrimin Ultra® Athlete's Foot Cream – prescription strength, cures most athlete's foot between the toes when used 2x per day for 1 week, or 1x per day for 4 weeks.

Does hydrogen peroxide cure athlete's foot? ›

Home remedies like tea tree oil and hydrogen peroxide can ease symptoms, but they won't cure athlete's foot on their own. If your infection hasn't gone away after 3 to 4 weeks, see your healthcare provider. You may need prescription-strength treatment to cure your athlete's foot.

What if athletes foot cream is not working? ›

If you have athlete's foot and treatments from a pharmacy have not worked, a GP may: send a small scraping of skin from your feet to a laboratory to check you have athlete's foot. prescribe a steroid cream to use alongside antifungal cream. prescribe antifungal tablets – you might need to take these for several weeks.

Is there an over the counter steroid cream for athlete's foot? ›

Canesten hydrocortisone 15g contains the active ingredient clotrimazole, a mild steroid that helps to relieve the uncomfortable symptoms associated with skin infections. It also targets and destroys the fungi and bacteria responsible for the infection.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Wyatt Volkman LLD

Last Updated:

Views: 5650

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (66 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Wyatt Volkman LLD

Birthday: 1992-02-16

Address: Suite 851 78549 Lubowitz Well, Wardside, TX 98080-8615

Phone: +67618977178100

Job: Manufacturing Director

Hobby: Running, Mountaineering, Inline skating, Writing, Baton twirling, Computer programming, Stone skipping

Introduction: My name is Wyatt Volkman LLD, I am a handsome, rich, comfortable, lively, zealous, graceful, gifted person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.