Ringworm - Athlete's Foot - Fungal Skin Infection
- The condition is very severe and the skin area affected is very large.
- The condition is stopping the person from functioning normally.
- Fever or excessive tiredness
- Another infection is present that requires antibiotic treatment
- You have already used an OTC-Treatment and it was unsuccessful
- Decreased immune system function from medications or health conditions
- Infection is on the scalp, fingernails, toenails, face, genitals or mucous membranes
- The affected area is oozing pus
Self-treatment is only recommended if the likely cause is one of the following:
- Trauma to the skin from bad fitting shoes
- Exposure to public pools or bathing facilities
- Exposure to someone else with the condition
- Sports including running or wrestling
- Excessive moisture or water on the feet. Certain types of shoes or socks can lock in moisture.
- Exposure to daycare centers (for children)
- Warm, high humidity climates
Treatment for Inflamed lesions on the feet (Tinea Pedis):
The following can treat and prevent the spread of this condition:
- This infection is contagious. Avoid sharing towels or clothing articles with others. Avoid using a towel on the affected skin area, and then using it on another part of the body (this can spread the infection). Dry the area last, or use a different towel to dry the affected area.
- Wash the area regularly with soap and water, then pat dry. Ensure that no excess moisture is left on the area (dry well).
- This infection can spread through water, so avoid sharing space with other people in areas of moisture such as steam rooms or community showers. If you have to, use foot wear to avoid direct contact with surfaces in bathing areas.
- Wash clothes or towels that have contacted the affected body region with hot water and dry in a heated dryer.
- Increase air ventilation to the affected area. Avoid shoes or socks that lock moisture into the affected area.
OTC Treatment:
Soak foot in 1:40 aluminum acetate solution 2-3 times per day, after it dries, apply a topical antifungal such as Lotrimin or Lamisil twice daily for 4 weeks. Only use the aluminum acetate for the first week(use for only one week)
Treatment for athletes foot with fissures and moisture (Tinea Pedis):
The following can treat and prevent the spread of this condition:
- This infection is contagious. Avoid sharing towels or clothing articles with others. Avoid using a towel on the affected skin area, and then using it on another part of the body (this can spread the infection). Dry the area last, or use a different towel to dry the affected area.
- Wash the area regularly with soap and water, then pat dry. Ensure that no excess moisture is left on the area (dry well).
- This infection can spread through water, so avoid sharing space with other people in areas of moisture such as steam rooms or community showers. If you have to, use foot wear to avoid direct contact with surfaces in bathing areas.
- Wash clothes or towels that have contacted the affected body region with hot water and dry in a heated dryer.
- Increase air ventilation to the affected area. Avoid shoes or socks that lock moisture into the affected area.
Over The Counter Medications:
Soak the foot in 10% aluminum chloride twice daily until the fissures are no longer present, than switch to 20-30% aluminum chloride twice daily until moisture and white color is gone, then switch to 20-30% aluminum chloride once daily. After foot is dried after aluminum chloride treatment apply a topical anti-fungal cream such as Lamisil or Lotrimin twice daily for four weeks.
Treatment for moist Athlete's Foot without fissures present (Tinea Pedis)
:
The following can treat and prevent the spread of this condition:
- This infection is contagious. Avoid sharing towels or clothing articles with others. Avoid using a towel on the affected skin area, and then using it on another part of the body (this can spread the infection). Dry the area last, or use a different towel to dry the affected area.
- Wash the area regularly with soap and water, then pat dry. Ensure that no excess moisture is left on the area (dry well).
- This infection can spread through water, so avoid sharing space with other people in areas of moisture such as steam rooms or community showers. If you have to, use foot wear to avoid direct contact with surfaces in bathing areas.
- Wash clothes or towels that have contacted the affected body region with hot water and dry in a heated dryer.
- Increase air ventilation to the affected area. Avoid shoes or socks that lock moisture into the affected area.
Over The Counter Medications:
Soak the foot in 20-30% aluminum chloride twice daily for only one week(the first week), then switch to only using it once daily. Apply anti-fungal such as Lotrimin or Lamisil cream twice daily for four weeks (after foot is tried from aluminum chloride treatment
Treatment for vesicles with scales and without inflammation on feet (Tinea Pedis):
The following can treat and prevent the spread of this condition:
- This infection is contagious. Avoid sharing towels or clothing articles with others. Avoid using a towel on the affected skin area, and then using it on another part of the body (this can spread the infection). Dry the area last, or use a different towel to dry the affected area.
- Wash the area regularly with soap and water, then pat dry. Ensure that no excess moisture is left on the area (dry well).
- This infection can spread through water, so avoid sharing space with other people in areas of moisture such as steam rooms or community showers. If you have to, use foot wear to avoid direct contact with surfaces in bathing areas.
- Wash clothes or towels that have contacted the affected body region with hot water and dry in a heated dryer.
- Increase air ventilation to the affected area. Avoid shoes or socks that lock moisture into the affected area.
Over The Counter Medications:
Apply an anti-fungal cream such as Lamisil or Lotrimin twice daily for four weeks.
Treatment option for red scaling legions on trunk (Tinea Corporus):
- This infection is contagious. Avoid sharing towels or clothing articles with others. Avoid using a towel on the affected skin area, and then using it on another part of the body (this can spread the infection). Dry the area last, or use a different towel to dry the affected area.
- Wash the area regularly with soap and water, then pat dry. Ensure that no excess moisture is left on the area (dry well).
- This infection can spread through water, so avoid sharing space with other people in areas of moisture such as steam rooms or community showers. If you have to, use foot wear to avoid direct contact with surfaces in bathing areas.
- Wash clothes or towels that have contacted the affected body region with hot water and dry in a heated dryer.
- Increase air ventilation to the affected area. Avoid shoes or socks that lock moisture into the affected area.
Drug Therapy:
Anti-fungal such as Lamisil or Lotrimin twice daily for 4 weeks.