Six year old with athletes foot- help!

[Swarski]

Last night I noticed that my 6yr old DS has got athletes foot. I put on some Dactakort (my DH often has manky feet so have this in bathroom) and then went to see pharmacist today.

The pharmacist has advised that I cannot use Dactakort on him as under 12 and she can only give him a powder which she says does not work very well! Her advice was to take him to dr who could prescribe Dactakort (I know, does not make sense as she has just told me it is not to be used for under 12's!!).

So ring dr, to be told that no appt until next Tues for a non-emergency. Well, I cannot justify athletes foot as an emergency so have booked appt- but what should I do in the mean time?

Have washed his foot, dried really well and put the powder on- any other advise??

My DH uses a SCHOLL athletes foot product which works well and there doesn't appear to be an age limit on the can either.

Can you machine wash the shoes he has been wearing or bin them? Try and kep him out of tight fitting shoes, trainers as much as possible and only have cotton socks.

My brother had athlete's foot as a child (apparently brought on by wearing wool socks - had to change to pure cotton only). My mother used to put E45 cream on it.

Canesten Cream works.

I's use the daktacort tbh. If you are worried, get some daktarin (daktacort without the steroid mixed in). Its just a licensing thing that means he can't give it to you knowing you are using it on a 6 year old, but it is used on young children all the time for athletes foot or ringworm etc. The other option is canesten. And keep his feet as dry as possible (thats where the daktarin powder is most useful) and get them out in the air as much as you can.

Its a long time to go without treatment. Trt this website for alternatives to Daktarin.

www.medicinechestonline.com/
click on 'all skin..' and select athletes foot. Then 'display products'

To read the patient information leaflet (PILS) which will give you the ages (some are not specified so presumably can be given) go here :

www.medicines.org.uk/emc/

type in the name and select PILS

meant daktacort not daktarin. whoops

Thanks for this, am keeping dry and using powder in shoes (crocs) and also a little bit of dactacort at bedtime.

No change in redness yet, but he says it does not hurt any more.

Thanks for this, am keeping dry and using powder in shoes (crocs) and also a little bit of dactacort at bedtime.

No change in redness yet, but he says it does not hurt any more.

Was going to suggest daktarin, or Canesten (they do one specially for athlete's foot, but clotrimazole will work just as well)

I use daktacort on my DD and have done since she was a baby as she used to get a type of fungal dermatitis around her nappy line.

Perhaps it's the crocs that's causing the problem though? I know they are meant to let feet breathe, but plastic shoes and sweaty feet is not a marriage made in heaven imo!

I know that the best thing would be for him to go bare foot, but am concerned that he will share with friends ans his sister at (my DH has all the time and after 15 years of sharing a bed with no manky feet, I assume I am immune!). Crocs seem like best option- maybe should get some flip-flops?

I know that the best thing would be for him to go bare foot, but am concerned that he will share with friends ans his sister at (my DH has all the time and after 15 years of sharing a bed with no manky feet, I assume I am immune!). Crocs seem like best option- maybe should get some flip-flops?

My brother had it for years. It only cleared up when his school relaxed the "no white socks" policy and he could wear 100% cotton sports socks.

Canesten AF will be fine, or any of the imidazole antifungals.

I also think crocs may not be the best footwear. Sandals (not plastic ones) with socks are probably better (is that OK for a 6yo?). Otherwise very open leather sandals, or proper leather shoes.