You do not have to be an athlete to catch athlete's foot. In fact, the affection has nothing to do with athletes. You can catch it by walking barefoot in common environments, such as pools or baths. If someone with this affection has touched the area, you risk getting it too. The affection is a fungal infection and brings in cracked skin and white patches – they are usually visible between your toes.
Now, choosing the best foot cream for athlete's foot could be a bit tricky. You probably think about it – it is only a topical anti fungal cream, why is it so difficult to choose one? Since you do not need a prescription for it, you will find lots of products out there. Obviously, some of them are much better than others. Here is everything you need to know before making a final decision.
Puriya's best foot cream for athlete's foot has a natural aroma of tea tree, lavender, eucalyptus, and rose geranium, so it is less likely to bother you. It is a popular formula approved for more creams in this segment – mostly against skin conditions in sweaty places.
The cream has an almost instant effect on the symptoms of athlete's foot. Itchy sensations and irritations will disappear in no time. You can use it on other parts of your body as well. The fungal infection will be gone within days only.
Other ingredients include olive oil and macadamia oil. There are no chemicals or preservatives in the formula, so there are no associated side effects. Furthermore, the ointment is not greasy and can work wonders due to its sweatproof formula – apply it and go back to your regular activities.
Pros:
- Natural ingredients
- Proven formula
- Pleasant odor
- Sweatproof
Cons:
- Suitable for other skin-related issues, but not the best
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Coming in a small 1.1-ounce recipient, Lotrimin's best foot cream for athlete's foot aims to help you overcome the fungal infection within a week. It will provide relief from itchy and burning sensations within the first few applications though, so you can forget about the discomfort.
The ointment has a proven formula to kill most of the fungi responsible for this infection. It is also rich in strong butenafine hydrochloride, which is practically a medication used against all kinds of fungal infections. It is worth noting that it can be used by kids over 12 years old as well.
The formula has multiple applications and can easily treat other problems too. It is great against ringworm, as well as the fungi behind the jock itch. In fact, this cream is officially formulated to tackle all these conditions.
Pros
- Suitable for more conditions
- Almost instant relief from itchy and burning sensations
- Takes less than a week to cure the infection
- Safe for older kids too
Cons
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Lamisil has gained a pretty good reputation with its products, and its best foot cream for athlete's foot is just as well rated. The formula has been proven to clear most types of athlete's foot within not more than seven days.
While the actual fungal infection may take up to a week to clear, the symptoms associated with it will be relieved within a few applications only. Whether it comes to cracking, burning sensations or itchiness, you can kiss these signs goodbye.
The formula includes terbinafine hydrochloride. Given its composition, it is recommended for other problems as well, so it is handy to have around. It can successfully treat ringworm, as well as jock itch. It comes in one-ounce recipients.
Pros
- Effective within seven days
- Instant relief of symptoms
- Good for jock itch and ringworm too
- No funny smells
Cons
- Not fully natural composition
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While not a cream or an ointment, this anti-fungal powder is just as efficient against athlete's foot. Besides, since it comes as a powder, it is excellent for those who find the greasy profile of ointments annoying.
The powder is available in 2.5 ounce recipients. Since it comes in powder form, it is also efficient at preventing and absorbing moisture. Basically, it creates a hostile environment for the fungi and prevents further growth.
There is no starch in its composition. It is based on miconazole nitrate and it can heal the infection within a week. However, scaling, burning and itching will be relieved after a few applications only – no more discomfort.
Pros
- Instant symptom relief
- Absorbs moisture
- No starch
- Good value for money
Cons
- Sophisticated application – twist the top and turn the recipient over for the powder to go through the holes on top
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Made in the USA and formulated to be hypoallergenic, this might be the best foot cream for athlete's foot if you hate medication odors. It has a refreshing aroma and should be used two times a day for maximum efficiency.
The cream is based on undecylenic acid, manuka, lemongrass, oregano and miconazole. It is efficient against most types of fungal infections and proven to work wonders against athlete's foot, ringworm, and jock itch.
Anti-inflammatory ingredients will ease the symptoms in no time – scaling, itching and burning. It takes anywhere between two and four weeks to heal athlete's foot and ringworm and less than two weeks to heal jock itch.
Pros
- Great for more fungal infections
- Hypoallergenic formula
- Good scent
- Instant relief
Cons
- Takes longer than other creams to heal athlete's foot
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Family Care's Clotrimazole comes in one-ounce packs and provides anti fungal protection and treatment against a series of affections. It is most commonly associated with athlete's foot, yet the ointment is just as efficient against other similar issues, such as ringworm or jock itch.
The cream is based on 1% clotrimazole – the main active ingredient. The compound is highly efficient against fungal infections. Athlete's foot can be healed within a week or two, while other affections may take less than that – it obviously depends on how severe the infection is too.
The athlete's foot has more symptoms and most of them can be quite uncomfortable, whether it comes to cracking or peeling skin, itching sensations or feeling of burn. Such symptoms will be relieved after one or two applications. It is essential to keep applying the cream to get rid of the infection though.
Pros
- Efficient against more fungal problems
- Immediate relief of athlete's foot symptoms and discomfort
- Good value for money
- Powerful formula to tackle fungal infections
Cons
- Not suitable for every fungal infection out there – not recommended for the more common toenail fungus
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What To Look For In The Best Foot Cream For Athlete's Foot
While most topical products will work against athlete's foot, some of them are obviously a bit better than others.
Brand reputation and value for money
The brand or manufacturer will give you some hints about the product. Choose a reputable brand whose products have plenty of positive reviews and ratings. Make sure you can tell the difference between reputation and price. The most expensive brand will not necessarily be the best one. On the other hand, the cheapest one is likely to be the worst.
Apart from a good reputation for the manufacturer, look for value for money as well. A middle product will work wonders.
Type of treatment
There are more types of treatments out there. Some of them are applied topically, directly on the affected areas. Some others require an oral administration.
Topical treatments include sprays, powders and creams. Just like you may already know, they go on the foot – cover the entire affected area and a bit around it. These anti fungal treatments aim to kill the fungus responsible for the symptoms.
Most doctors recommend these topical options first, because they are less invasive and less likely to give you any side effects.
If the situation is severe, you might need to go for an oral treatment. Tablets are more powerful and will require an oral administration. Tablets are recommended in extreme cases, when the fungal infection is severe and covers large areas of your feet.
Ingredients
Many creams are based on natural substances, but they obviously have some active substances as well. Each ingredient has a role in the process – quality products will obviously come with quality ingredients. If you find something with a good reputation or the doctor recommends a treatment, you may not necessarily have to research ingredients.
If you choose the treatment yourself, it pays off knowing what to expect, what the product is based on and what the potential side effects are.
Conclusion
As a short final conclusion, deciding on the best foot cream for athlete's foot is not as difficult as it may seem. Any of the above mentioned products will help you overcome the problem within a week or two – they are just as handy to have around for other fungal infections.
It is worth knowing that you can take such products without having to see a doctor first. Double-check the prospect and follow the instructions. Not only are they efficient, but they are also cheaper than more sophisticated treatments that will provide the exact same results.
