Athletes foot

[Comerainorshine22]

Have been battling athletes foot in my child since the end of February now and at my wits end as it is not going and the doctors keep fobbing us off.

They have prescribed us a cream which we have been using for 5 weeks. We saw a difference within the first week but then.., nothing. They think we should keep going with the cream because apparently it can take up to a year to work,

Things we have tried:
Washing and drying feet twice a day
Drying feet with a hairdryer
Changing socks and towels regularly
Hot washing socks and towels
Getting all new shoes and spraying regularly
Sweat wicker socks
Tea tree oil soap and cream
Salt foot baths
Daktarin spray and cream - we used this over a month
Scholl athletes foot spray
Lamasil cream as prescribed

With each new treatment, it gets a little bit better but does not fully go. We are now left with a patch on each foot that looks red - almost under the skin - with some dry skin around it. I would say smaller than a 5p piece. Obviously, we can't stop treating or it will grow again!

Any tips and advice? Are the doctors correct that we should give this cream a try for a year?

Any tips and advice would be great.

We are using bleach to clean the shower every time it is used to avoid it spreading as well.

It's a nightmare isn't it. Have you tried a different cream? I find mine works with one and not the other. Also I found one pair of shoes exacerbated it and I don't wear those now. I know you changed shoes but it might be worth seeing if your child thinks one makes it worse than others. If he/she has wide feet, make sure they have shoes with a lot of space as this can help too.

The other thing the doc tested me for was diabetes as that often causes persistent fungal rashes so if you've tried everything, and there are other worrying symptoms, it might be worth ruling it out

Daktarin spray is the only thing that works on my athletes foot, I get it about once\twice a year. Clears it in 3-4 days.

Thanks for the responses.

Will get them to check if they think any of their shoes feel worse. It's tricky because, for all it never gets any worse, it also doesn't get any better.

Unfortunately, the doctors have been incredibly dismissive and unhelpful. Seem to think it's normal to be treating for 10weeks+ and for it not to go. Will definitely try again in another few weeks and mention testing for diabetes, though there are no other signs.

What other creams have you tried? We've tried the three mentioned in my first post but lots say aren't suitable for children.

Fungal infections like warm, dark and damp conditions, so the first thing to do is stop using any of the creams, as they trap moisture in between it and the skin adding to the dampness.

All footwear needs to be natural fibre - such as leather, cotton etc. Man made fabric on shoes/trainers just make the feet sweat, creating the conditions as above. Trainers are the worst thing to wear with this condition.

All socks etc need to be 100% cotton as again, anything man-made/ stretchy will cause sweat/moisture.

As PP said, ensure there is wiggle room for the toes, for if squashed tight together, this will cause conditions as above.

When drying with hairdryer, use cool setting and get right in between toes until fully dry. Allow feet to 'air' before putting on footwear.

I just googled the Scholl foot spray ingredients and it states that irritation of the skin is a possible side effect from these. So, because you mention a red patch under the skin, and that you are spraying into the footwear, could the spray be causing the skin to break causing a portal, thus allowing re-infection of the fungus? Could the same thing be said of other spray brands too? Worth checking?

This foot powder (see pics) is from home bargains. It has less ingredients than other products, but works just as well. Apply twice a day and ensure it goes both between and under the toes. Try using just this and no sprays or other treatments alongside.

Wash hands after handling feet.

Thank you for the information - very useful.

With the foot powder. It doesn't mention that it's not suitable for children so I'm guessing it is. Would you apply to the feet or put into the socks?

When I have had bouts of athletes foot myself it's lasted a good while, so I can see why the GP is dismissive. Many people have near chronic athletes foot, especially in warm weather (if you ever go to Australia check out the amount of pharmacy space taken up by fungal skin infection treatments, it's almost the whole shop). It's one of those things that's hard to get rid of fully, plus they don't see it as serious. Must be hard for a child tho.

Anyway not sure where the remaining bit is but when I have it, getting rid it between 2nd & 3rd toe is the hardest as these toes sit together without air being able to get to them easily. I read a tip online which was to sleep with a wedge of cotton wool between them to force air to get in and I found this the most effective thing I did, better than creams. It was also relieving for the itch so actually not uncomfortable but not sure if it would stay in place as easily with a child - my kids move around loads in bed!

Have you asked a pharmacist?

Normal Daktarin didn't work for me. Pharmacist recommended Daktarin Gold which is behind the counter. It does say 'for adult use' so probably not the one for you, but maybe they know a good one to use for a child.

I found it helpful to switch creams if the condition persists. There are (at least) three that you can buy OTC.

clotrimazole - Canisten
Terbinafine hydrochloride - Lamasil
miconazole - Daktrain

So if after five weeks Lamasil is no longer leading to improvements and you’ve tried miconazole (check that is what it is) I would consider trying clotrimazole/Canisten.

Thank you so much for all the advice.

I am definitely going to get him to try sleeping with cotton wool wedged between his toes - great tip!

We have spoken to many a pharmacist, but we are at the point now where they say we need to speak to a doctor. Unfortunately, the pharmacists seem to agree with us that the cream is not working whereas the doctors do not!

Thank you, I will look into the other creams to see if they are suitable for children.

Only cannisten works for me. The athletes foot stuff and the thrush stuff is the same active ingredient, but the thrush one is stronger. I have to use the strong one.

There was an amusing thread a while back, where it was renamed ‘hoof and foof’ cream, so I’m not the only one!

I can usually keep mine under control with the daktarin spray when it flares up. A couple of years ago I had an awful attack of athletes foot that took me months to get rid of. The thing that finally did it was lamisil once

Thanks.

I think the thing that is worrying me the most is that it is so hard/almost impossible to get rid of.

I don't want my poor child to have to battle this for the rest of his life!

Apply directly to the feet, ensuring you work it both underneath and between the toes.
This powder is recommended by a podiatrist.