Mycosis of the feet is a disease that can be fought by over-the-counter medications. At the pharmacy, you can buy sprays, creams, ointments, gels, lotions and even s alts, medicated powders and herbal powders, which are applied directly to the infected areas of the skin of the feet, without a prescription. Are you wondering which one to choose? Check how over-the-counter mycosis drugs work, how they differ and which of them are the most effective.
Athlete's footis a disease caused by fungi from the yeast group. Most often, you can get infected with it at swimming pools, baths and when we use someone else's footwear. The disease manifests as lumps and vesicles that appear on the sole of the feet and in the interdigital gaps. These types of infections will be combatedover-the-counter medications for athlete's foot . These include sprays, creams, gels, sticks, as well as therapeutic powders, herbal powders and s alts. However, if the infection is acute, you should stop taking over-the-counter medications and see a doctor who will prescribe special oral medications.
Over-the-counter medications for athlete's foot
Creams for athlete's foot
Most over-the-counter mycosis medications are in the form of creams that should be applied to clean, dry skin 1-2 times a day. The duration of the treatment depends on the active substance that fights pathogenic fungi:
- terbinafine hydrochloride(eg Lamisilatt, Tenasil, Terbiderm, Undofen Max) - terbinafine has a fungicidal effect against dermatophytes and fungicidal or fungistatic against yeasts; belongs to fast-acting substances - usually a 7-day treatment is enough;
- flutrimazole(eg Micetal) disrupts the synthesis of ergosterol - a component of the fungal cell membrane, and thus inhibits the activity of yeast fungi; treatment with flutrimazole takes about 4 weeks;
- ketoconazole(e.g. Nizoral) fights fungi of the genusTrichophyton, Epidermophyton, Microsporumand yeasts of the genusCandidaiMalassezia ; treatment of athlete's foot with ketoconazole takes 4-6 weeks;
- miconazole nitrate(eg Daktarin) is used not only to treat but also to prevent athlete's foot. Creams with this substance are safe for baby's skin,because they are also used to treat diaper dermatitis. The cream should be rubbed into the skin twice a day for 2 to 6 weeks (+ one week after the symptoms have subsided);
- clotrimazole(eg Clotrimazolum) combats almost all species of fungi, including filamentous fungi, yeasts and molds. Application: 2-3 times a day for 2-4 weeks;
- The pharmacy also offers preparations that contain not only the fungicidal clotrimazole, but alsohexamidine disethionate , which fights most pathogenic bacteria, mainly staphylococci and bacteria from thefamily Pseudomonadaceae . Creams containing these two substances (eg Imazol plus) fight interdigital mycoses of the mixed type, caused not only by fungi, but also by bacteria. The drug should be used for 3 weeks after the symptoms of mycosis have disappeared.
It is worth knowing that the above-mentioned active substances are also found in other antifungal preparations.
How to cure athlete's foot with natural remedies?
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Ointments
Antifungal preparations for feet in the form of a soft mass are effective in the treatment of dermatophytes due to the content of undecylenic acid and zinc undecylenate.
These substances act not only on the mycelium, but also on fungal spores (e.g. Unguentum undecylenicum ointment, Mycodermine). Thanks to the vaseline content, they additionally lubricate flaky skin.
The diseased areas of the skin are covered with a thin layer of the drug twice a day. Treatment should be continued for at least 2-3 weeks despite symptoms disappearing.
Gels combating fungal infections of the feet
Gels, due to the lack of oily substances, are better absorbed into the skin than creams and ointments (eg Lamisilatt Dermgel). How to use: apply a thin layer of the preparation once a day to the affected areas and rub it lightly.
In infections localized in skin folds, the preparation is applied in a closed dressing. The drug is used for 1 week. A gel that is effective in combating mycosis is, for example, Miconal.
Aerosols
Aerosols are more convenient to use and you can additionally spray them on the inside of shoes and socks. Thanks to this, preparations of this type reduce the unpleasant odor associated with excessive sweating of the feet (eg Undofen atomizer). The drug is usually used 2 to 3 times a day for 2 to 4 weeks (+ 4 weeks after symptoms have resolved).
Iodine solution
10% iodine solution is intended for decontaminationfungal outbreaks and their surroundings. It is recommended to use antifungal ointments at the same time. Before use, read the leaflet carefully because it contains a list of numerous contraindications to the use of the drug.
The preparation cannot be used, inter alia, on large areas of the body and in people with dysfunction and thyroid diseases. How to use: several times a day, diluted with boiled water in the proportion of 1 part of the preparation to 10 parts of water.
Antifungal fluids
Their advantage, like aerosols, is convenient application - you do not have to touch the preparation with your hands. Some fluids, such as Lamisilatt, are only applied once, but on both feet, even if the lesions are only visible on one of them. Others are applied to the skin only once a day, usually in the evening, for 4 weeks (Micetal).
Foot s alts
Foot s alts usually contain natural ingredients, such as celandine and oak bark extract, that have a fungicidal effect (e.g. Bingo Foot S alt).
Soaking your feet in water with the addition of s alt not only inhibits the development of mycosis, but also prevents the epidermis from cracking between the toes.
Usage: dissolve one cap of s alt in 3-4 liters of warm water. Soak your feet for at least 15 minutes, dry thoroughly when finished. Repeat the procedure daily for 5 days. Use it as a preventive measure once a week.
Healing powders and powders
These types of preparations can also be used for prophylactic purposes, e.g. by people who have never struggled with mycosis, e.g. before visiting the swimming pool, or suffering from excessive sweating of the feet.
Antifungals in powder form (e.g. Mycodermin) contain undecylenic acid monoethanolamide and zinc undecylenate, which are fungistatic.
Propolisan powder, on the other hand, contains propolis extract that destroys yeasts and molds. Usage: places affected by mycosis should be sprinkled 2 or 3 times a day.
Treatment should be continued for at least 4 weeks after the symptoms of the infection have resolved. You can also sprinkle a small amount of powder into clean socks.
Antifungal powders (eg Proftin-G) contain zinc s alt of undecylenic acid, salicylic acid or boric acid. Some powders are also enriched with plant extracts with antiseptic properties.
How to use: sprinkle the powder on clean and dry feet 1-2 times a day. You can also sprinkle a small amount of the powder into clean socks.
Antifungal soaps
Antifungal soaps usually contain natural extracts from the plants they haveanti-inflammatory, bacteriostic and fungicidal effect (hemorrhage, thyme, celandine extract), at the same time refreshing and toning irritated skin (lemon balm extract) and having an antiseptic effect on the skin, reducing excessive sweating of the feet (oak bark extract). They can be used prophylactically or to support the treatment of mycosis with other preparations. How to use: wash your feet once a day.