Fungal infections of the foot are incredibly common — athlete’s foot affects around 15% of the population at any time, and fungal nail infection affects up to 10% of adults. They’re often undertreated or treated with the wrong product. Here’s how to beat them properly.

Athlete’s Foot (Tinea Pedis): What You Need to Know

Athlete’s foot is caused by dermatophyte fungi — typically Trichophyton rubrum. These fungi digest keratin (the protein in skin, hair and nails) and thrive in warm, moist environments. The interdigital type (between the toes, most commonly between the fourth and fifth) is most common. Symptoms: itching, burning, peeling, macerated (soft, white, soggy) skin between toes. The moccasin type affects the entire sole with a scaly, thickened appearance. The vesicular type produces small fluid-filled blisters on the sole or sides.

Treating Athlete’s Foot

Terbinafine 1% cream (Lamisil AT) is the most effective OTC antifungal for athlete’s foot. It’s fungicidal (kills fungi rather than just inhibiting them), meaning shorter treatment courses are needed compared to fungistatic agents. Apply to the affected area and the surrounding skin twice daily for 7 days for interdigital type; 2–4 weeks for moccasin type. High cure rates (>80%) with a complete course. Clotrimazole 1% cream (Canesten Athlete’s Foot) — an azole antifungal that is fungistatic at standard doses. Apply twice daily for 4 weeks. Very well tolerated. Miconazole — similar to clotrimazole. Available in combination products that also treat bacterial co-infection (Daktarin). Antifungal powder or spray — useful for treating footwear and socks to prevent reinfection. Containing clotrimazole or miconazole.

Why Athlete’s Foot Keeps Coming Back

Reinfection is the main clinical challenge. Reinfection sources: infected footwear (fungi survive in shoes for months), shared surfaces (gym changing rooms, swimming pools, shower floors), and untreated household contacts. Prevention: dry thoroughly between toes after bathing, rotate shoes to allow them to dry, wear flip-flops in communal showers, treat footwear with antifungal spray at the same time as treating the foot, replace old trainers.

Fungal Nail Infection (Onychomycosis)

Fungal nail infection usually follows from untreated athlete’s foot — the same fungi spread from skin to nail. The nail becomes thickened, discoloured (yellow, white or brown), brittle, crumbly, and may separate from the nail bed. It affects toenails far more commonly than fingernails. It does not resolve without treatment and can spread to other nails or to household contacts. Amorolfine 5% nail lacquer (Curanail, Loceryl) — the standard OTC treatment. Apply once weekly (twice weekly initially). Consistent use required for 6 months (toenails) to 3–6 months (fingernails) — the time for a healthy nail to grow out. Clip and file the nail before each application. Treat all infected nails simultaneously. Cure rates with amorolfine monotherapy: 50–60% for limited infection (nail tip/sides). For more extensive infection or when OTC has failed, prescription oral terbinafine (Lamisil tablets, 250mg daily for 12 weeks) has significantly higher cure rates (70–80%).

Browse Athlete’s Foot treatments and Fungal Nail products at Huncoat Pharmacy. Related: Foot Health Guide.

At Huncoat Pharmacy: Pharmacy First, Browse athlete’s foot treatments.