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Antifungal foot cream: terbinafine, clotrimazole or tolnaftate

By the Life in Good Form editors. Updated 2026-10-15.

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What antifungal foot creams treat

Athlete's foot (tinea pedis) is a fungal skin infection. Mayo Clinic says a healthcare professional will likely suggest self-care plus an antifungal cream, spray or powder you can buy without a prescription, and that some types of athlete's foot look like dry skin or dermatitis, so a skin test is sometimes used to confirm it.

The OTC labels list relief of itching, burning and cracking that come with athlete's foot. They also say the creams are not effective on the scalp or nails; for nail fungus, talk to a doctor about other treatments.

Comparing the main ingredients

Directions are from Lamisil AT cream, a clotrimazole 1% cream and a Leader tolnaftate 1% cream label on DailyMed. Always follow the label on the product you buy.

How to apply it

• Wash and dry first. The labels say to wash the affected skin and dry it completely before applying.
• Thin layer, twice a day. Clotrimazole and tolnaftate labels say a thin layer morning and night.
• Get between the toes. The labels say to pay special attention to the spaces between the toes.
• Keep going after it clears. Mayo Clinic says to keep using the product until a week after the rash clears, and that it might take 2 to 4 weeks to see results.
• Wash your hands. The terbinafine label says to wash hands after each use and keep it out of the eyes.

Age limits and label warnings

• Terbinafine. The Lamisil AT cream label is for adults and children 12 years and over; for children under 12, ask a doctor. It says not to use it on nails or scalp, in or near the mouth or eyes, or for vaginal yeast infections.
• Clotrimazole and tolnaftate. These labels say not to use them on children under 2 years of age unless a doctor directs it.
• All of them. For external use only, and keep out of reach of children.

Habits that help clear it and keep it away

• Wash and dry. Mayo Clinic suggests washing feet twice a day and gently towel-drying between the toes.
• Change socks. The labels and Mayo Clinic say to change socks at least once a day, more often if feet get very sweaty.
• Breathable shoes. The labels say to wear well-fitting, ventilated shoes. Mayo Clinic suggests avoiding vinyl or rubber shoes and rotating pairs so they dry.
• Protect your feet in public. Mayo Clinic suggests waterproof sandals around pools, showers and locker rooms, and not sharing shoes.

For sock options, see our diabetic socks guide.

When to see a doctor

Mayo Clinic says that if OTC products do not work, a healthcare professional may prescribe a stronger antifungal cream, such as econazole or ciclopirox, or for more serious infections an antifungal taken by mouth, such as terbinafine or itraconazole.

• No improvement within the label's time limit, or the rash keeps coming back.
• Irritation that is too much or gets worse, as the terbinafine label warns.
• Diabetes, numbness or poor circulation in the feet: NIDDK advises checking your feet every day and getting problems seen early.

What to look for when you buy

Questions people ask

Which antifungal cream works best for athlete's foot?

Mayo Clinic says terbinafine has been shown to be highly effective; clotrimazole, miconazole and tolnaftate are other options.

How long should I use antifungal foot cream?

Follow the label. Mayo Clinic says to continue until a week after the rash clears.

Does antifungal cream work on toenail fungus?

No. The labels say these creams are not effective on nails.

Can children use antifungal foot cream?

Labels set limits: terbinafine is 12 and up, clotrimazole and tolnaftate need a doctor under 2.

When should I see a doctor for athlete's foot?

If it does not improve within the label time, keeps returning or gets worse, or if you have diabetes.

Sources

• Athlete's foot: Diagnosis and treatment (mayoclinic.org), Mayo Clinic
• Lamisil AT Cream (terbinafine hydrochloride) label (dailymed.nlm.nih.gov), DailyMed, National Library of Medicine
• Antifungal 1% Clotrimazole Cream label (dailymed.nlm.nih.gov), DailyMed, National Library of Medicine
• Tolnaftate Cream 1% Antifungal label (Leader) (dailymed.nlm.nih.gov), DailyMed, National Library of Medicine
• Diabetes & Foot Problems (niddk.nih.gov), National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Sources checked 2026-10-15.