Athlete's Foot or Swimmer's Eczema: How to Treat It Properly

Itching, flaky skin, or cracks between your toes? You may have athlete's foot, also known as swimmer's eczema. With the right treatment, the fungus usually clears up completely. Read about how to recognize athlete’s foot, what treatments you can use, and how to prevent it from coming back.

Swimmer’s eczema is not eczema

The name “swimmer’s eczema” is misleading. The lesions are not caused by eczema, but by a fungus in the top layer of the skin. The medical term is tinea pedis. You’ll often see white flakes, redness, and small cracks between the toes. The skin may itch or feel like it’s burning. Sometimes there are flakes or blisters on the sole of the foot or on the side of the foot.

Fungi thrive in warm, moist areas. Infected skin flakes can be left behind in swimming pools, locker rooms, and showers. However, you don’t get athlete’s foot just from swimming. Sweaty feet, poorly ventilated shoes, and moist skin between the toes also increase the risk.

Treating athlete’s foot with cream

An antifungal cream is available over the counter. Active ingredients include terbinafine, miconazole, and clotrimazole. Terbinafine cream can be purchased without a prescription; terbinafine tablets are available only by prescription. These medications inhibit or kill the fungus. The NHG Standard for Dermatomycoses, the guideline used by primary care physicians, recommends terbinafine for common athlete’s foot. This medication needs to be used less frequently and for a shorter duration.

Apply terbinafine cream once a day for at least 1 week. If the lesions have not cleared up by then, continue applying it for another week. Do not use it for longer than 2 weeks. Miconazole or clotrimazole are usually applied twice a day. Continue doing so until 1 week after the patches have disappeared. Always follow the package insert. Apply a thin layer to the affected area and about 2 centimeters around it.

Are you taking acenocoumarol or fenprocoumon? If so, do not use miconazole, not even as a cream. We’ll help you choose a safe alternative.

How to prevent athlete’s foot from coming back

Wash your feet preferably without soap and dry them thoroughly between your toes.
Wear clean cotton socks and well-ventilated shoes every day.
Use a separate, clean towel for your feet.
Wear flip-flops in swimming pools, locker rooms, and communal showers.

When should you see your doctor?

Make an appointment if the lesions haven’t cleared up after the maximum treatment period, if they’re getting worse, or if you’re unsure whether it’s athlete’s foot. Also call your doctor if you have a red, warm, and painful foot, pus, a fever, or a wound that isn’t healing properly. Do you have diabetes, poor circulation, or a weakened immune system? If so, seek medical advice sooner if you have cuts or an inflamed foot. If you have thick scales covering the entire sole and edges of your foot, cream may not be effective enough. Your doctor can confirm the diagnosis and, if necessary, prescribe tablets. In doing so, they’ll take into account factors such as liver problems, side effects, and drug interactions.

Personalized advice from your pharmacy

We’ll help you choose an over-the-counter medication and explain how long you should apply it. If a prescription is needed, we’ll work closely with your doctor. We know you, your doctor knows you, and you know us. This way, you receive personalized guidance from your trusted local pharmacy. You can also handle many things online with us. Be sure to read the advice on athlete’s foot at Thuisarts.nl and the medication information at Apotheek.nl.