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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! If you think you might have athlete's foot and if you have never been diagnosed with it before, then it is important to see your physician for a thorough examination before you just begin treating your feet with some over the counter answer. 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. Most instances of athlete's foot are mild and generally clear within 14 to 21 days. The real challenge becomes to keep it re-occurring after that! Some folks even use the over the counter medicated powders and sprays in between flare ups in an effort to keep it from coming back. Some times it works and some times it doesn't. There are times when your case of athlete's foot is so persistent that it takes the power of oral anti-fungal medications along with anti-fungal creams and sprays that are all prescription strength in order to beat the fungus into submission. If this is the case, no worries, just use the medicine as prescribed. Over the counter creams and sprays often leave you wanting more treatment for your athlete's foot and if your infection is serious enough, you need more. At times like this your doctor may prescribe oral anti-fungal medications along with prescription strength topical medications that you will apply directly to your foot. This combination is often required to beat back the tougher infections of athlete's foot. 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. But, remember, if you are still waging the athlete's foot war after two full weeks of treatment that you should follow up with your health care provider for stronger prescription based treatment. Getting the appropriate athlete's foot treatment is important since if you avoid it, then you will be really sorry you made that decision. It takes the right medication to fight the fungus of athlete's foot so follow the plan and find the relief you long for.
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