1. Fungal infections – athlete’s foot

Feet should be washed daily with soap and dried thoroughly. An antifungal treatment can then be applied and there are two types available over the counter. Fungistatics slow down the rate at which the fungus grows. Most fungistatics (e.g. miconazole, clotrimazole and tolnaftate) should be applied two to three times a day for around two weeks and for bifonazole, treatment is once daily. Treatment should be continued for a couple of weeks after the infection has cleared to stop it returning. Example: Canesten Bifonazole Once Daily 1% w/w Cream. Some products also contain hydrocortisone to treat inflammation. Examples include Canesten Hydrocortisone Cream and Daktacort HC.

Fungicidal treatments kill the fungus and are usually applied once or twice a day for a week. The only fungicidal available over the counter is terbinafine. Examples include Lamisil AT 1% Gel.

2. Fungal nail infections

Oral antifungal tablets are available on prescription and antifungal nail solutions (e.g. those containing amorolfine), or those that reduce the nail’s pH to make the environment hostile to fungal growth, are available OTC for mild infections. Examples include: Curanail and Nailner. These treatments can take months to work, with toenails typically needing nine to 12 months of treatment. A healthy nail growing from the base is a sign that the treatment is working.