So long as the ingredients in your product include clotrimazole, econazole, ketoconazole, miconazole, naftifine, oxiconazole, sulconazole, terbinafine, or terconazole, it’s going to help combat the fungus. [2] X Trustworthy Source Harvard Medical School Harvard Medical School’s Educational Site for the Public Go to source Ask a pharmacist to help you out if you want to pick the absolute best option based on how your skin is looking, but pretty much any antifungal product will work.
You can do this multiple times if you want to be totally sure that you’ve gotten rid of all of the spores.
Alternating the shoes you’re wearing every day may also help. [5] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source Dry your feet thoroughly after you get out of the shower every day. Don’t let them air dry on their own. [6] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source Do not go barefoot in public. This is the most common way a foot fungus spreads.
If your nail is in a really rough shape, your doctor may prescribe you a medicated nail polish or cream. Your doctor may also suggest a minor surgical procedure to apply the antifungal drug directly underneath your nail, or remove it entirely. These drugs are extremely effective, but they can cause damage to your liver for some people. Your doctor may suggest you get regular blood tests while you’re taking the antifungal medication just to keep an eye on things. [9] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
There are a lot of different fungi out there, and some of them are a little more resilient than others. While most fungal issues will go away after two weeks, it’s possible you’ll need the prescription-strength stuff.
It’s possible for your fungus to spread or grow, so don’t just leave it be and expect it to clear up! This is an easy problem to treat, but it can get out of hand fast if you wait too long.
Sharing towels with another person can make your feet more susceptible to foot fungus. Locker rooms, communal showers, and gyms are especially likely to harbor foot fungus. If possible, wear flip flops while you’re showering or changing at the gym.
It’s possible that something like tea tree oil or vinegar might help, but there just isn’t any evidence to support it. [15] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source The side effects for over-the-counter topical medications are basically nonexistent. The people who do experience side effects typically get a bit of itchiness, burning, or redness, but even then the side effects are harmless and go away on their own. Since these topical treatments are so low-risk, there’s no real reason to try experimenting with DIY home remedies. [16] X Research source
