MD Podiatrist Discusses Best OTC Antifungals

According to Daniel Michaels, DPM, “Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection in the skin. Like most fungal infections, fungus prefers a moist and dark environment. Thus it is important to keep the feet and the surfaces touching the feet clean and dry.”
 
 
Dr. Michaels continues, “The best over-the-counter topical medications are derived from the allylamine family, such as topical terbinafine, because they are fungicidal and actually kill the fungus. Topical azoles, like clotrimazole, are fungistatic, meaning they limit fungal growth but they do not completely get rid of the athlete’s foot.” As you shop, keep an eye out for creams that are formulated with terbinafine and clotrimazole to eliminate or reduce athlete’s foot.