What to Do About Blisters From Athlete’s Foot (2024)

FAQs

What to Do About Blisters From Athlete’s Foot? ›

Most cases can be treated at home with antifungal medicines. They kill the fungus or slow its growth. You also need to keep your feet clean and dry. Over-the-counter antifungal lotions, creams, or sprays usually are used first.

You should treat athlete's foot as soon as you notice even minor symptoms. It's fine to try over-the-counter products such as the antifungal terbinafine cream (Lamisil) or antifungal powder for your socks and shoes. You may have a home remedy you like to use, such as vinegar-water soaks to dry out your feet.

The antifungal terbinafine (Lamisil AT) has been shown to be very effective. Another option is clotrimazole (Lotrimin AF). You may need to experiment to find the product and formulation — ointment, gel, cream, lotion, powder or spray — that work for you.

Moccasin athlete's foot is sometimes mistaken for other conditions such as eczema. A rare kind of athlete's foot causes an acute inflammation associated with skin redness, blisters, pus-filled bumps and open sores.

The athlete should clean the area with antiseptic soap and then carefully remove the skin with sterile scissors. The area can then be covered with antibiotic ointment and then covered with an occlusive bandage. Because the underlying tissue has lost its protective covering, the area will be tender for a few days.

Apply an antibiotic ointment or petroleum jelly to the blister and cover it with a nonstick bandage or gauze pad. After several days, cut away the dead skin. Use tweezers and scissors that you sterilize with an antiseptic wipe or rubbing alcohol. Apply more ointment and a bandage.

If you have a vesicular (blister) infection, soak your foot in Burow's solution several times a day. Do this for 3 or more days until the blister fluid is gone. After the fluid is gone, use an antifungal cream as directed.

Home remedies like tea tree oil and hydrogen peroxide can ease symptoms, but they won't cure athlete's foot on their own. If your infection hasn't gone away after 3 to 4 weeks, see your healthcare provider. You may need prescription-strength treatment to cure your athlete's foot.

Some fungi can be highly resistant to normal OTC medication. And home remedies don't offer the results you need. The problem is, an athlete's foot doesn't often subside on its own. You need treatment to stop it from spreading to other areas of the body.

What is the strongest treatment for athlete's foot? ›

The tablets taken to treat athlete's foot generally contain the active ingredients itraconazole or terbinafine. Itraconazole is usually taken once daily for four weeks (dose: 100 mg). Terbinafine is typically taken once daily for two weeks (dose: 250 mg).

Athlete's foot and eczema both cause itchy, red, inflamed skin. Athlete's foot is a fungal infection, while eczema is likely to have genetic or environmental causes. Athlete's foot typically occurs on the feet and toes, while eczema is more widespread.

Your foot is swollen and warm to the touch, especially if there are red streaks or pain. These are signs of a possible bacterial infection. Other signs include pus, drainage, and fever. Athlete's foot symptoms do not go away within 2 to 4 weeks of self-care treatments.

Athlete's foot is unlikely to get better on its own, but you can buy antifungal medicines for it from a pharmacy. They usually take a few weeks to work. Athlete's foot treatments are available as: creams.

Blisters that appear on the sole or instep of your feet may be a symptom of athlete's foot. You should never pop an athlete's foot blister, as that removes the protective barrier, which will make it more likely to become infected.

If you have athlete's foot, it's a good idea to wear socks to bed, especially if you share your bed with another person. This can help prevent transmitting the fungus to others. Athlete's foot (tinea pedis) is a fungal infection caused by a ringworm. Ringworm is not actually a worm.

Inflamed skin that might appear reddish, purplish or grayish, depending on your skin color. Burning or stinging. Blisters. Dry, scaly skin on the bottom of the foot that extends up the side.

If left untreated, the infection can progress to scaling, peeling, and cracking of the skin on the bottom and sides of the foot. In severe cases, athlete's foot can cause thick, dry, scaly skin resembling a moccasin shape on the bottom of the foot or numerous small, red, itchy blisters on the sole of the foot.

Tea tree oil has long been used as an antibacterial and antifungal home remedy. Its properties make it a great choice when treating athlete's foot at home. Rub the oil into the skin at least twice a day to reduce scaling, itching, and burning. For best results, apply daily for up to a month.