Once you have a definite diagnosis of athlete's foot, then your next obvious step is to begin the prescribed athlete's foot treatment. See, that's not really all that hard!
Athlete's foot must be properly diagnosed since other foot maladies can also mimic this condition. If you think you might have been afflicted with the irritant, and if you have never been diagnosed with it before, then it is important to see your doctor for a definitive diagnosis before you just start self medicating with any old over the counter remedy.
So, once you've made it to your doctor, a thorough examination of your foot will reveal the truth. Sometimes your doctor can make the diagnosis by simply looking at the infected skin and other times he or she may elect to take a tiny skin sample to send off to the lab for study. The lab study will show if there are bothersome fungal cells which are the cause of athlete's foot present on the sample.
After an accurate diagnosis, your doctor may elect to simply treat your athlete's foot with over-the-counter anti-fungal sprays and creams. These have been shown to be quite effective in battling fungus.
The good news is that most cases of athlete's foot are mild and usually clear up in a couple of weeks. The bad news is that some cases of athlete's foot re-occur over and over again. Some sufferers even report using the over the counter sprays even after the episode clears up in hopes of preventing a re-occurrence.
But if your doctor thinks that your case of athlete's foot infection is more serious than an over the counter treatment can handle, then you may end up with a prescription strength treatment plan. This may include anti-fungal oral medication.
Some of the OTC athlete's foot products are adequate but often seem as if they do not reach the depths of the skin where the fungus is burrowed in. Cases like this really do require prescription strength medications. So suck it up and take the medicine your doc has prescribed.
Prescription strength athlete's foot treatment seems to give you a better overall response to the treatment. But if you take a short cut and do not use the medicine as prescribed or do not use it for the duration ordered then you risk the return of your athlete's foot with a vengeance.
Yes, you can treat your athlete's foot at home with over the counter medications, especially if you have had a definitive diagnosis of this bothersome condition before. But remember, if this is the first time, then you need to see your health care provider.
If you have been battling the burn and itch of athlete's foot for two weeks or more without any resolution, then even if you have had athlete's foot before, you simply must see your health care provider. You doctor will be able to tell if you have something more than just your garden variety athlete's foot going on.
Proper athlete's foot treatment can help you to regain control of your feet again. Adequate and appropriate treatment can stop the itching and burning and can put a smile back on your face!
For more important information on sore feet visit sore-foot-remedies.com where you will find advice on foot pain causes such as athletes foot, ingrown toenail, and more
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