Athletes Foot Cream
Does Athletes Foot Cream Really Work?
If you are having trouble with your feet and you suspect that you have athletes foot, one of the things that you are going to find which claims to be able to take care of it is athletes foot cream.
There are a number of different types of cream that you can use with some rather familiar names to those of us who watch television commercials regularly, such as Tinactin. Just how effective are these creams at treating the problem?
The first thing that you need to understand is that athletes foot is a fungal infection that is caused by a specific type of fungus, known as Tinea pedis. Any athletes foot cream is going to be an anti-fungal medication so it should be able to take care of this problem, or any other related fungal problem for that matter, such as ringworm or jock itch. Most times, you would put the cream on several times per day and you would begin to receive some relief almost immediately.
It is important for you to make sure that you are dealing with athletes foot before you apply any of the cream. There are several other problems which can cause similar conditions to athletes foot that are not a fungal infection at all. A good example of this is psoriasis, a condition in which the skin matures much faster than it is supposed to, causing dry and cracking skin in various areas of the body. It would do you absolutely no good to apply athletes foot cream onto a psoriasis problem.
There may also be times whenever you need a little bit more than an over-the-counter athletes foot cream. One time whenever this may be the case is if you have a very severe outbreak of athletes foot or if you also have diabetes. Either of these may require a doctor's attention and they will probably prescribe an oral anti-fungal medication which is much stronger than the athletes foot cream that you buy at the drugstore.
Along with that oral prescription, you may be given an antibacterial prescription if you have a bacterial infection along with the fungal infection. The fungus that causes athletes foot actually puts out an antibacterial chemical, but it only kills the weaker bacteria that may be in the area. A bacterial infection that goes along with a fungal infection is often very strong and a prescription may be necessary in order to combat it effectively.
Once the athletes foot cream does its work, you would want to avoid getting the problem again by using wise preventative measures. If you are in an area that breeds fungal infections, such as gymnasium showers, you would want to wear some kind of shower footwear so that your feet do not come in contact with the floor. It is also a good idea to make sure that you clean your socks regularly and keep your feet as dry as possible, even allowing them to go without footwear on occasion. By doing these things, you will lessen your chances of having a fungal infection and needing athletes foot cream again.