Athlete’s Foot

Diagnosis

In many cases, your healthcare professional can diagnose athlete’s foot just by examining the affected skin. Some forms of the infection may resemble dry skin, eczema, or dermatitis, making it hard to tell apart. To confirm the diagnosis and rule out other skin conditions, your doctor may gently take a skin scraping from the infected area. This sample is then sent to a laboratory for testing to check for fungal growth.

Treatment

If your athlete’s foot doesn’t improve with over-the-counter antifungal products or home care, you may need prescription-strength treatments. Your healthcare professional might recommend topical antifungal creams or ointments, such as clotrimazole, econazole (Ecoza), or ciclopirox (Loprox).

For more severe or persistent infections, your doctor may prescribe oral antifungal medications, such as terbinafine or itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura). In some cases, a combination of topical and oral medicines may be required for complete relief and to prevent recurrence.