Swimmer's eczema and fungus

Foot fungus, also called swimmer's eczema, is common. It is usually between the toes and can be recognized by itching, scaling, chapping or sometimes blistering. The cause is a fungus that grows well in warm, humid environments such as athletic shoes or public showers.

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Treatment with self-care remedies

Most people can treat foot fungus well with remedies you can buy from us without a prescription. These remedies are safe and usually help well, if you use them properly.

There are different types of active ingredients:

Miconazole or clotrimazole: fungicidal creams or sprays.
Terbinafine: often works faster than miconazole and is also available without a prescription in cream form.

These remedies are intended for external treatment, i.e. on the skin. You usually have to use them for 2 to 4 weeks, even if the symptoms disappear before then. If you stop too soon, the fungus can come back.

When to see your doctor?

Go to your doctor if:

the symptoms do not subside within 2 weeks
the fungus spreads to the sole of the foot, nails or other parts of the body
you suffer from severe itching or pain
you have a decreased immunity (such as with diabetes or chemotherapy)

Prescription medication

If self-care remedies don't help or the infection is severe, the doctor may prescribe medication that you take. These are called oral antifungals and work from the inside out. They are prescribed for stubborn or extensive foot fungus or fungal nails.

The most commonly used remedies are:

Terbinafine tablets: usually 2 to 6 weeks, depending on the severity
Itraconazole capsules: often in a one-week course, sometimes repeated

These remedies can cause side effects, such as stomach upset or skin rashes. They can also affect your liver function, especially with long-term use. That's why a blood check is sometimes needed.

Further, there are many interactions with other medications, such as:

blood thinners (such as acenocoumarol)
antidepressants
medications for heart rhythm disorders
some antibiotics

The role of the pharmacy

We help you with:

advice on choice of self-care drug
explanation on use and duration of treatment
check for interactions with prescription medication
consult with GP if we think it's necessary
signaling in case of repeated complaints

Doubting whether a drug is appropriate? Feel free to come by, we'll think with you.

Prevention is better than cure

wear clean, breathable socks
change shoes every day
wear flip-flops in public showers and locker rooms
dry your feet well, especially between the toes
treat shoes with fungal spray to prevent reinfection

Foot fungus is annoying, but usually easy to treat. There are many effective remedies available, both non-prescription and prescription. Does a self-care remedy not work? Then the doctor can prescribe a stronger remedy. The pharmacy will check if it can go together with your other medications and give tailored advice.