Athlete's Foot FAQs

What is Athlete's Foot?

Athlete's Foot is a fungal skin infection that occurs between the toes and on the soles of the feet. Fungi thrives in warm, moist nooks and crannies, eating dead skin cells so in-between the toes are perfect for it!

How do I know I have Athlete's Foot?

The visible symptoms of Athlete's Foot are a combination of the following:
Itching, redness, soreness, flaking skin, blistering and cracking. In severe cases of Athlete's Foot, cracks that remain exposed can become infected. Bacteria in the sweat and produced by the fungi, often infect an open wound and can cause further discomfort and sometimes unpleasant odors.

How do you get a fungal foot infection?

Athlete's Foot develops when feet remain damp and warm. It can start if feet sweat/cannot breathe in tight trainers/shoes all day or if feet are not towel dried properly. It is also possible to transmit Athlete's Foot. This can happen when walking bare foot over wet areas such as swimming pools and changing rooms or if you share items like towels with someone who is already infected.

What Athlete's Foot treatments are there?

There are many choices of anti-fungal treatment for Athlete's Foot at Express Chemist. Specialist brand names include Daktarin and Canesten AF and come in a range of creams, powders and sprays. For a one-off treatment Lamisil Once is specially formulated to treat Athlete's Foot in a single dose, killing the fungi within 13 days.

Some Athlete's Foot treatments combine another specific ingredients with an antifungal to combat additional related symptoms. Daktarin Gold is an antifungal treatment that also reduces itching. Mycota Cream along with the whole Mycota range, is an antifungal treatment with antibacterial properties. Daktacort contains a triple action formula; an antifungal and antibacterial to kill the infection and a hydrocortisone to reduce the inflammation and itching.

What can I use on cracked skin between the toes?

Daktarin Cream is both an antifungal medicine in a cream base that contains added moisturisers. This should provide relief from dryness and cracking as well as fighting the infection. You may wish try an additional moisturiser such as Flexitol Heel Balm or Scholl Cracked Heel Repair Cream Active Repair K+. If the condition between the toes is ignored, the cracks might deepen into an open wound and even develop a secondary bacterial infection. To treat this secondary infection, wash carefully with a wound wash such as Savlon Antiseptic Wound Wash and treat the wound with an antiseptic cream such as Optima Tea Tree Antiseptic Cream (containing tea tree; a natural antibacterial/anti-fungal) or a hydrocolloid healing gel like Savlon Healing Gel (which sets a moist heeling environment for cuts and blisters).

Can I use a Hydrocortisone cream on Athlete's Foot?

Hydrocortisone is used to treat inflammation but must not be used on its own for Athlete's Foot. Using just a hydrocortisone may actually worsen your condition. However, you can use a hydrocortisone in conjunction with an antifungal. You can buy a hydrocortisone & antifungal separately OR why not try either Daktacort HC or Canesten Hydrocortisone Cream. These two creams contain both an antifungal and hydrocortisone. If you want more help choosing a hydrocortisone Click here for more information...

How do I prevent Athlete's Foot?

The key is to keep the feet dry and allow them to breathe where possible. You may also find that using an antimicrobial wash on the feet instead of normal soap should keep any potential infection at bay. We have lots of products and advice about preventing Athletes Foot.
To see our preventative products, Please Click Here...

Can I use Athlete's Foot products on other areas of my body?

This depends on the product's active ingredient and/or what it's licensed for. It is possible for Athlete's Foot to spread to other warm/moist body areas which develops into new fungal conditions such as; Jock Itch or dhobi itch (this condition forms around the groin) and Ringworm
(occurs under and around skin folds). If you visit our antifungals page, you can see what treatments there are available for all fungal skin conditions. Always read product details fully before purchasing from Express Chemist.