health topics

What Is the Best Way to Get Rid of Toe Fungus?

A foot shown with toenail fungus
Getting rid of toe fungus may involve over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription antifungal products available as creams, lotions, powders, gels, ointments, foams, and solutions to kill the athlete’s foot fungus.

The most common types of fungus that affect the toes include:

  • Tinea pedis (“athlete's foot”)
    • Caused by human dermatophytes, a type of fungus transmitted by direct contact with human ringworm sores
      • Ringworm is not actually a worm; it is so-named because it can cause a ring-shaped, red, itchy rash on the skin
    • Ringworm may also be acquired from the soil or through exposure to animals (commonly household pets)
  • Onychomycosis
    • Fungal infection of the nails 

The best way to get rid of toe fungus includes:

  • Over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription antifungal products available as creams, lotions, powders, gels, ointments, foams, and solutions to kill the athlete’s foot fungus
    • Azole antifungals 
      • Clotrimazole (Lotrimin AF)
      • Econazole (Ecoza)
      • Efinaconazole (Jublia)
      • Ketoconazole
      • Luliconazole (Luzu)
      • Miconazole (Micatin, Zeasorb)
      • Oxiconazole (Oxistat)
      • Sertaconazole (Ertaczo)
      • Sulconazole (Exelderm)
    • Allylamines
      • Naftifin (Naftin)
      • Terbinafine (Lamisil AT)
    • Benzylamine
      • Butenafine (Mentax)
  • Other
    • Ciclopirox (Loprox)
    • Tolnaftate (Tinactin)
  • Chronic or extensive tinea pedis may require oral antifungals 
    • Terbinafine (Lamisil tablets)
    • Itraconazole (Sproanox)
    • Fluconazole (Diflucan)
    • Griseofulvin (Gris-PEG)
  • Chronic tinea pedis may require adjunctive therapy such as foot powder or talcum powder to prevent skin softening
  • OTC topical antifungal products for mild cases affecting less than 50% of one or two nails for onychomycosis
    • Clotrimazole (Lotrimin AF)
    • Tea Tree Oil
    • Terbinafine (Lamisil)
    • Tolnaftate (Tinactin)
    • Undecylenic acid
  • Non-drug treatments
    • Lasers emitting infrared radiation    
    • Photodynamic therapy using 5-aminolevulinic acid or methyl aminolevulinate followed by exposure to red light 
    • Iontophoresis and ultrasound are being studied for use to enhance the delivery of antifungal drugs to the nail plate

What Are Symptoms of Toe Fungus?

Symptoms of toe fungus infections may include:

  • Ring-shaped rash
  • Skin redness
  • Itching
  • Skin swelling
  • Scaly, cracked skin
  • Blisters
  • Deep fungal infections
  • Soles, heels, and toenails may also be affected
  • Red, swollen, peeling, itchy skin between the toes 
  • Skin on the feet may blister in severe cases

What Causes Toe Fungus?

Athlete’s foot (tinea pedis) is usually caused by human dermatophytes, a type of fungus transmitted by direct contact with human ringworm sores. Ringworm may also be acquired from the soil or through exposure to animals (commonly household pets).

Risk factors for developing athlete’s foot include:

  • People with a weakened immune system (such as from HIV/AIDS, cancer, chemotherapy, diabetes, or certain medications)
  • Athletes involved in contact sports, such as wrestling
  • Use of public showers or locker rooms
  • Excessive sweating in tight shoes 
  • Close contact with affected animals such as household pets
  • Close contact with a person who is infected
  • Sharing bedding, towels, or clothing with a person who is infected
  • Working with soil that has ringworm fungus
  • Living in a warm, humid climate

Onychomycosis may be caused by:

  • Dermatophytes such as Trichophyton rubrum (T. rubrum), T. interdigitale (tinea unguium)
  • Yeasts such as Candida albicans and rarely, non-albicans Candida species
  • Molds such as Scopulariopsis brevicaulis and Fusarium species

How Do You Prevent Toe Fungus?

To prevent toe fungus:

  • Wear clean socks every day
  • Put socks on before underwear so infection does not spread to other parts of the body
  • Wash thoroughly with soap after sports involving skin-to-skin contact
  • Keep skin clean and dry and always dry off completely after bathing
  • Always wear slippers or sandals at the gym, pool, or other public areas (including the shower)
  • Avoid tight-fitting clothing
  • Do not share clothing, towels, or sports equipment with other people
  • If any member of the household has symptoms of athlete’s foot, make sure they are treated so that infection does not spread
References
REFERENCES:

Image source: iStock Images

https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/diseases/ringworm/index.html

https://www.uptodate.com/contents/dermatophyte-tinea-infections?search=fungal%20skin%20infection&source=search_result&selectedTitle=1~150&usage_type=default&display_rank=1

https://dermnetnz.org/topics/fungal-skin-infections/