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Best Athletes Foot Sprays & Creams Reviewed
Standout Picks
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Application
Certain antifungals are primarily utilized orally, while others come in the form of cream, powder, or sprays. Oral medication is rarely used to treat tinea pedis except for complicated cases where the doctor may prescribe a stronger course of treatment. The following three are the most common for use in treating athlete’s foot:
Speed
The length of treatment varies depending on the pharmaceutical ingredients used and is usually between one and four weeks. Generally, creams and powders can take between two to four weeks to clear the infection, though symptoms typically feel better within three days.
Sprays can tend to work a bit quicker and the length of time using these is usually one to two weeks. Some sprays, such as Lamisil, are also only usually applied once a day while creams and powders are twice daily which may be inconvenient for some.
It’s vital that you do not stop using the medication once your symptoms have subsided until you have finished the recommended course. Stopping too soon may not have allowed enough time for the fungus to be fully eradicated and can cause it to reemerge.
Another thing not to do is apply the medication too often, as this can have bad side effects, including skin irritation and deterioration, causing additional problems at the cost of speeding up the healing process.
Ease of Use
Antifungal creams, sprays, and powders work by killing the fungal cells present in the body and preventing them from multiplying further. There are several antifungals which are used to treat fungal infections through various methods of administering which include;
Clotrimazole is available in cream products and is usually used for two to four weeks. It works by killing current fungus and stopping the growth of more.
Used as a spray, powder, or cream and works by stopping any fungi from growing.
Regarded as the most effective of any over-the-counter antifungals, terbinafine is used for one week and heals up to 97% of athlete’s foot cases. Terbinafine is found in spray and powdered spray products like Lamisil.
Is available as a cream, powder, or spray and works by using an enzyme that prevents the growth of fungus and inhibits any regrowth.
Natural ingredients are also known to be very beneficial in the treatment of athlete’s foot and its symptoms. Some of the most widely used naturally derived substances are:
These essential oils contain natural antifungal agents that protect from the invasive fungi that cause athlete’s foot infection. Many of these ingredients are said to more effective than pharmaceuticals and are ideal for a more homeopathic approach to recovery.
Effectiveness
The products featured on this page were carefully chosen based on proven results and effectiveness at eliminating fungal infections fully and completely. Antifungal sprays are the highest rated with up to 97% of users reporting that their infection was fully cleared after one complete treatment cycle. While creams and powders are also highly effective and work similarly as the sprays, they have up to a 95% favorable rating.
If you're shopping for over the counter medication, it is extremely important that you carefully read and follow the instructions on the box. Overall, there are a few universal steps that you should repeat with each use:
Another important thing to consider before purchasing is whether you're allergic to any of the active ingredients in the product. If you notice any side effects, contact your doctor immediately.
Finally, if you find that the application of treatment is not helping your condition, or is making it worse, it is recommended that you visit a professional who may need to administer you with a stronger dosage, or who will be able to correctly diagnose your condition.
Value
One of the main areas of concern for anyone with athlete’s foot is finding relief for their symptoms. Whether you are experience one or all of the possible symptoms you are going to want fast relief. These symptoms include dry or cracked skin, blisters, a rash, or scaling.
Not all treatments work to alleviate every symptom through the products on this list were carefully chosen, in part, for their effective relief from the majority of them.
You will find that the products listed above vary in price based on a number of factors. In addition to the type of product - spray, cream or powder - the cost is also affected by the type of ingredients. Overall, prescription products will be more expensive, as will natural remedies that use organic ingredients to treat common fungal infections.
If you're after a cost effective way of treating your tinea pedis infection, you can look into products that come in value packs of three or more, as these will often have a lower price than when purchasing a single item. Another thing that might save you money is if you find off-brand products that use the same active ingredients as their more expensive counterparts.
Top 10 Picks
1. BDLG Active
Perhaps you're trying to eliminate artificial chemicals from your lifestyle or have sensitive skin that tends to be further irritated by traditional antifungals. The BLDG Active Antifungal Spray uses a compound called Hypochlorous, which is the same compound produced by white blood cells to kill pathogens.
BLDG Active is an athlete-owned medical company that specializes in bringing medical innovations to sports medicine, and have partnered with biotech firms to make this possible. The Active Antifungal Spray is designed without essential oils and irritants, making it ideal for sensitive skin and allergies. It is also non-sensitizing, meaning no uncomfortable stinging sensation when using it.
The TSA has stringent regulations when it comes to carrying liquids onto a plane. They must be of a certain capacity, in a clear plastic bag, etc. The BLDG Active Antifungal Spray is fully TSA-approved, making traveling with it easy. It won't, however, help with the long lines at the checkpoints. Those are just an unfortunate part of life. With a unit price of about $8.32/ounce, this product is a little more on the expensive side. With this investment, though, you are getting the results of biotechnical research coming from a company that wants to make the best products for athletes.
2. Dr. Blaine's Tineacide
Prevention in addition to treatment is important when it comes to athlete's foot. As it can be spread topically (meaning through physical contact), it's possible to catch it again after treating it aggressively. This is where Dr. Blaine's Tineacide comes in. Not only is it approved to treat athlete's foot, but it also works as a preventative measure.
When it comes to treating athlete's foot and other fungal infections, you also have to treat anything that comes in contact with your feet, such as shoes and socks. This Tineacide spray is ideal for this purpose, so you can spray it both on your feet and in your shoes and socks.
Hot and moist environments are breeding grounds for not only fungal infections, but also odor and smelly feet are the last thing any of us want. Dr. Blaine's Tineacide spray also has odor mitigating properties, so you can kill two birds with one stone and treat your athlete's foot while ensuring that your feet and shoes don't smell unpleasant. Coming in at an average unit price of $5.00/ounce, this spray is slightly above mid-range. While it doesn't come with much product as it's a 2oz container, it works very well on your feet to treat athlete's foot quickly and keep it from happening again.
3. Tinactin Antifungal
Tinactin Antifungal is a clinically proven formula which not only cures most cases of athlete’s foot but can prevent reoccurrences when used as a daily foot spray. It’s a hassle-free and effective product that allows for a no-touch application which lowers the risk of spreading the infection.
Tinnactin relieves the symptoms associated with athlete’s foot such as burning, itching, inflammation, scaling, and cracking. It also soothes and cools on contact for instant relief from the irritation and discomfort and is the number one most recommended treatment for athlete’s foot by athletes and certified athletic trainers. Tinactin can be used as a daily preventative for the reoccurrence of infection which is ideal for anyone who regularly uses public pools or gyms.
Tinactin Antifungal spray allows for an easy no-touch application thanks to its convenient spray delivery. It doesn’t leave any powder residue and can effectively treat infection in hard-to-reach places. For treating an active infection, the spray is applied twice daily for four weeks while for preventative use its used once daily, every day and the active ingredient is Tolnaftate 1%. Tinactin is available for a budget-friendly price, and one bottle lasts for over a month while using twice daily. This a clinically proven treatment and preventative that does it’s job and will provide instant relief from symptoms as it cools and soothes on contact.
4. Lotrimin AF
Lotrimin AF offers three variations of sprays: liquid, powder, and deodorant powder, which effectively treat athlete's foot and provide fast relief from the uncomfortable symptoms. It's a convenient treatment and makes it easy to apply medication on hard-to-reach places like between the toes.
Lotrimin provides fast relief from most symptoms including itching, burning, scaling, and cracking. It’s clinically proven to be effective at treating athlete’s foot, jock itch, and ringworm and uses the active ingredient Miconazole 2%.
Lotrimin is available in three varieties of sprays including powder spray, liquid, and deodorant powder. Powder spray is well suited for individuals with sweaty feet because it offers a similar level of absorbency as a powder treatment only without the mess and deodorant powder sprays are great for neutralizing odors both on the foot and inside of the shoe. Lotrimin is applied twice daily for four weeks to effectively treat the condition. Lotrimin is relatively inexpensive and is priced similarly to many of the other products on the list. It’s an effective antifungal that is one of the leading athlete’s foot sprays on the market.
5. Globe Clotrimazole
This medicated cream was developed by globe as a solution to common problems such as tinea pedis, tinea cruris (jock itch) as well as tinea corporis (ringworm). Its main active ingredient is clotrimazole USP 1% which is widely used to treat a number of skin infections, and which works well to prevent fungal growth, helping prevent recurring infections.
The way to use this medication is to apply it to the affected area which has previously been cleaned and thoroughly dried. In addition to the affected area, it should also be applied to the surrounding skin, to successfully battle the problem. It can be applied twice a day, or as instructed by your physician.
In addition to treating the cause of your problems, Globe Clotrimazole also helps with discomfort relief, in that it relieves itching, burning, cracking and scaling. It comes in a 1 oz tube pack, and can even be purchased in value packs of 5. As for cost association, this product ranks below average, and thanks to the medically tested ingredients, it represents a good choice for most infections.
6. Lamisil Prescription Strength
Lamisil claims to treat athlete’s foot 4x faster than other leading brands and efficiently relieves the unpleasant symptoms. It utilizes full prescription strength antifungal medication and also treats jock-itch and ringworm infections. It offers a comfortable application and treats most infections within one week when used as directed.
Lamisil provides fast relief from the itching, cracking, scaling, and burning associated with athlete’s foot. It also provides effective treatment and relief for jock-itch and ringworm infections and utilizes the active ingredient Terbinafine to treat most cases within seven days.
Lamisil spray formula is easy to apply and is perfect for infections between the toes and other hard-to-reach places. It is applied twice daily for a reduced period of only seven days instead of the usual two weeks. Lamisil is available for a very reasonable price and works 4x faster than other leading brands. It provides fast relief from the unpleasant symptoms of athlete's foot, jock itch, and ringworm, and cures most cases within seven days.
7. Ting Antifungal
Ting uses a potent antifungal agent to effectively treat the majority of athlete’s foot or jock-itch infections. It not only cures but also prevents the reoccurrence of infection and instantly relieves the itchy and burning sensations associated with athlete’s foot.
Ting is available in a convenient powder spray formula that provides the absorbent properties of powder but with the easy mess-free application of a spray. You can effectively treat hard-to-reach places with ease, and the added absorbency is ideal for people whose feet tend to sweat. Ting is used twice a day and utilizes the active ingredient Miconazole 2%.
Ting provides instant relief from the itching and burning associated with athlete’s foot and jock-itch, though there are mixed reviews regarding its relief of scaling or cracking. Ting's powder spray formula is great for users whose feet tend to sweat because it provides the same absorbency as a powdered formulation would. Ting can be used daily as a preventative for the reoccurrence of infection. Ting is relatively low-cost though it is higher priced than some of the other options on the list. It offers instant relief from the irritation and itch associated with athlete’s foot and jock-itch infection, while also providing an absorbent powder-like formula with the easy application of a spray.
8. Derman Antifungal
Derman Antifungal is a cream based treatment that works fast to comfort symptoms associated with athlete's foot. It's important to pay close attention to the space between toes and to wear ventilated shoes while using this cream and it should be noted that Derman is not proficient for treating nails.
Derman diminished the unpleasant manifestations that come with athlete's foot including itching, peeling, burning, and cracking. This topical cream will heal most instances of athlete's foot and is a robust antifungal medication.
Derman comes in a cream based formula that is applied directly to the affected area twice daily for four weeks. It's important to finish the entire course of medication to clear the infection entirely and to prevent a reemergence of symptoms. Derman is priced in line with the other products on this list and offers a reliable form of treatment for athlete's foot. It works well to control symptoms and is a cure for most cases.
9. Avon Foot Works
If you’re a fan of Avon products, or perhaps are looking for a different over the counter kind of treatment for athlete’s foot, consider looking to Avon Foot Works. With an active ingredient of 1% Tolnaftate, it helps to prevent the growth of fungus, and Avon packaged it in a simple spray solution for ease of use.
Sometimes using creams can be a little messy, or individuals may just prefer something that sprays on and dries quickly to help treat athlete’s foot or other fungal infections. Avon Foot Works is an easy spray on solution with active ingredients to prevent fungal growth, which dries quickly and applies evenly to affected areas. Just spray twice a day to help treat and you’re on your way to clear, soothed feet!
Athlete’s foot can tend to cause dry cracked skin and itching, so Avon created their Foot Works spray with soothing aspects to help keep your feet moisturized while being treated to clear up fungal infections. It also helps prevent any odor you may have from the infection, helping to make you feel more confident while you heal. You can continue using it to help prevent any further infections and keep your feet feeling great! Available as a four pack or in singles, Avon Foot Works is a great option to other treatments for its ease of use spray formula, and effective treatment for athlete’s foot. Packaged in a 3.4oz bottle, you’ll find bargains when you purchase more than one bottle. Perfect for individuals who aren’t fond of creams to treat athlete’s foot, Avon Foot Works will help prevent fungal infections, and help keep your feet odor free and soft.
10. Hongosan Spray
Made by the same company as the Hongo Killer spray, and a product commonly advertised on TV, the Hongosan spray is designed for instant relief as well as prevention. Its fast acting formula also works as a preventative measure, to keep athlete's foot from coming back after treatment.
Some topical antifungals have a strong and unpleasant smell, even those that are advertised as odor-reducing products. The Hongosan spray is made with a light and pleasant scent, allowing it to mitigate odors without being overwhelming.
When it comes to athlete’s foot, treatment is only one part of it. Given its fungal nature, it can live in things like gym bags and footwear for a surprising amount of time. This is why the Hongosan spray also includes preventative measures, to keep reinfection from happening. We will admit that this is an expensive product. However, it comes not only as a spray but as a full line of treatment products that work well together. So you can use the spray directly on your feet and the powder in your shoes, as an example.
Sources
- , Athlete’s Foot (Tinea Pedis), Information
- , Athlete's Foot, Enclyclopedia
- , Athlete's Foot, Health Information Link
- , Understanding Athlete's Foot -- Treatment,
- , 9 Natural Antifungal Remedies,