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Original poster

To ask you to please, please help me with my Athletes Foot

78 replies

CanIbeRio · 01/09/2025 20:31

Sorry for use of AIBU, unashamedly posting for traffic!

I've been struggling with Athletes Foot since beginning of July. In desperation to get rid of it I used a vinegar soak and cos I didn't dilute it enough I gave myself chemical burns which shredded my toes where the AF was - 2 trips to A&E, visits to GP practice nurse and by 4 weeks on all healed, great

3 weeks ago the bleeping AF returned. I used Daktarin for 2 weeks which was keeping it at bay but hadn't completely kicked it so last week switched to Lamisil Once. Didn't work and by weekend seemed a bit worse. After 7+ weeks exclusively in sandals, a trip to London on Sat forced me into trainers for the day as I had some walking to do. Upshot is from yesterday feet red, angry, sore and doc says I now have a secondary bacterial infection in the AF areas which she's given me fusidic acid for

Pharmacist initially said drop treating AF in favour of using fusidic acid as obvs more important to treat bacterial infection. But...im going abroad on hols next week and I want this gone...so he said, OK use fusidic twice, not 3 times a day and use Daktarin spray once. Has anyone done this , did it clear both infections? Im so fed up - i have a bad back and 7 weeks of this crap, bending to tend burnt then AF ridden feet is not helping it. Can anyone give me any advice to give me the best chance of healing this before I fly off next Weds

Sorry for the essay!! And thank you if you got to the end of it!

OP posts:
ChocolateToastie · 01/09/2025 21:14

As above-
Footwear= very important to make sure any footwear is treated. Use sprays in the shoe, if the footwear / trainers are very worn that would harbour moisture / bacteria consider getting new ones. Do not wear shoes that are sealed and harbour sweat/ can’t breath e.g enclosed rubber crocks. Wear more breathable shoes / sandles / slipper ms where possible.
Socks= some socks which are synthetic can harbour sweat. I have to have socks with a higher cotton content. Very cool washes do not thrillingly clean and I have always been recommended to clean any items with risk of of infection at 60’
Drying= get a small clean dry flannel and make sure you feet are fully dried after bathing ( wash the flannel afterwards, saves washing the whole towel as frequenty.

lilyboleyn · 01/09/2025 21:13

I had blood tests on turbinafine and I was fine. Honestly, the toe nail brings something with it, I can’t remember what it’s called, but it’s like a sock of eczema round the skin of your foot. I wish I’d taken the tablets years ago, I feel so much happier and more confident.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 01/09/2025 21:13

MysteriousFalafel · 01/09/2025 20:53

Ask the GP to prescribe terbinafine. Honestly worked miracles for me and I’ve suffered from it for years, cracks, bleeding, wanting to rip my foot off.

Terbinafine is the same as Lamisil. Lamisil is just the brand name.

My DS suffers from AF and it’s been terrible this year. We’ve been using Lamisil / terbinafine on prescription and it’s just beginning to improve a bit.

LurkThenPost · 01/09/2025 21:11

CanIbeRio · 01/09/2025 21:09

@Lurkthenpost - thank you for that. I was first alerted to this by my podiatrist who said "I think you have a fungal infection" and then proceeded to file the nail diwn with an electric file. I think this spread a spore ridden dust across my feet cos after that the AF really set in.
As you say @lilyboleyn , if the bad nail remains the AF problem will stay. Ill look into this nail stuff, thanks

Oh gosh!

WolfFoxHare · 01/09/2025 21:11

It took about 10 weeks of dedicated application of the strongest Daktarin to get rid of mine but it did eventually go.

CaptainSevenofNine · 01/09/2025 21:09

Soak your worn socks in dettol or Milton before washing. Milton may bleach them.

That’s what finally helped my DS. Washing at 40° or lower doesn’t kill AF.

I now save socks for a separate wash and do them in a super hot wash after soaking in dettol.

Original poster
CanIbeRio · 01/09/2025 21:09

@Lurkthenpost - thank you for that. I was first alerted to this by my podiatrist who said "I think you have a fungal infection" and then proceeded to file the nail diwn with an electric file. I think this spread a spore ridden dust across my feet cos after that the AF really set in.
As you say @lilyboleyn , if the bad nail remains the AF problem will stay. Ill look into this nail stuff, thanks

OP posts:
Oakcupboard · 01/09/2025 21:09

@CanIbeRio it’s a tough one! I was diagnosed in 2019, but have managed to completely reverse it now (with the help of Mounjaro). But I did notice the AF stop as soon as my diet improved, way before my blood sugar fell out of diabetic range ❤️

Monvelo · 01/09/2025 21:06

I can't get rid of it. It's been 3 years I think. The doc won't give be tablets. But, re your holiday op, sandals and warm weather make mine much better. I've started wearing socks and trainers this week and right back where I started from.

Milliemoons · 01/09/2025 21:03

I’ve had it pretty consistently for a year and a half now, on and off. You might be repeatedly reinfecting yourself. Shoes need to be cleaned daily with anti fungal spray and I recommend using anti fungal laundry detergent like halo. I also use 10% sulphur soap and a foot exfoliant as af loves skin flakes. Wash bathmats in bleach if you can and bleach shower floors. Also make sure you’re doing the full course of any medication you’re using - it usually needs to be used for about 2 weeks after all symptoms are gone, as spores linger.

I hate it. It’s so annoying.

TimothyIsNotAnArmardillo · 01/09/2025 21:02

It's not available anymore but this tea tree spray cured mine when all else failed - is maybe something tea tree based might work

Original poster
CanIbeRio · 01/09/2025 21:00

@Oakcupboard - that did cross my mind, I sm a few stone overweight :( I will get tested. Going to avoid sugar (apart from a glass or two of wine!) Currently sat munching on a plate of chopped red pepper and walnuts in an attempt to boost my immune system !!

OP posts:
BobbinThreadbare123 · 01/09/2025 20:58

I've had terbinafine as tablets and I was ok. I have regular liver function checks due to my Crohn's medication so I know it was safe even for my weakened system to take it.

MysteriousFalafel · 01/09/2025 20:57

The terbinafine I had was oral so don’t think it’s the same as lamisil. I had it for 3 months and had a blood test each month and everything was fine with liver function

Original poster
CanIbeRio · 01/09/2025 20:56

Bit nervous about turbafine (im guessing you mean the tablets) as ive read it can cause liver damage - really hope no one has ended up with that

OP posts:
Oakcupboard · 01/09/2025 20:56

By any chance are you diabetic? I had AF that was out of control, I had to use the powder spray daily (worked better than creams). When I got my blood sugar under control it stopped coming back

Original poster
CanIbeRio · 01/09/2025 20:55

Bit nervous about turbafine as ive read it can cause liver damage - really hope no one has ended up with that

OP posts:
ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 01/09/2025 20:55

MysteriousFalafel · 01/09/2025 20:53

Ask the GP to prescribe terbinafine. Honestly worked miracles for me and I’ve suffered from it for years, cracks, bleeding, wanting to rip my foot off.

Terbinafine is Lamisil. Didn’t touch mine.

Original poster
CanIbeRio · 01/09/2025 20:54

Thanks all. Will look into all suggestions. Sadly it seems the theme is it's not easy to get rid of. Really not giving me hope of getting rid of it by next week :(
Anyone haf it whilst on hols? Just think the heat is going to make it a whole heaps worse - anyone got any tips?

OP posts:
MysteriousFalafel · 01/09/2025 20:53

Ask the GP to prescribe terbinafine. Honestly worked miracles for me and I’ve suffered from it for years, cracks, bleeding, wanting to rip my foot off.

LurkThenPost · 01/09/2025 20:52

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 01/09/2025 20:51

Yeah, they’re better, but don’t eradicate it.

Show quote history

I found it worked for me, but my nails are taking ages to grow back…. Eurgh!

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 01/09/2025 20:51

LurkThenPost · 01/09/2025 20:50

Have you tried the spray versions?

Show quote history

Yeah, they’re better, but don’t eradicate it.

Barneysmomma · 01/09/2025 20:51

I've always found Mykota cream to be the best for AF - I use it daily as prophylaxis. I understand it's been discontinued recently so I bought some on Ebay but you might be able to get it in a chemist - independent chemist more likely though tbh.

LurkThenPost · 01/09/2025 20:50

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 01/09/2025 20:49

I’ve just started on Itraconazole.

Ive tried bloody everything. Someone on her about 3 or 4 weeks ago suggested Lamasil twice a day for 5 weeks. I think half way through week 3 and no change l went to GP.

The Iteaconazole is definitely working better than anything else. But it’s whether it stays away.

I’m so fucking sick of it. Tried all creams and all home remedies. Nothing worked

Have you tried the spray versions?

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 01/09/2025 20:49

I’ve just started on Itraconazole.

Ive tried bloody everything. Someone on her about 3 or 4 weeks ago suggested Lamasil twice a day for 5 weeks. I think half way through week 3 and no change l went to GP.

The Iteaconazole is definitely working better than anything else. But it’s whether it stays away.

I’m so fucking sick of it. Tried all creams and all home remedies. Nothing worked