Undecenoate for athlete's foot

About undecenoate

Piede d'atleta is a common fungal skin infection. Fungal germs (fungi) often occur in small numbers on your skin where they usually do no harm. However, in warm and moist areas of skin, such as between your toes, they can thrive and multiply to cause an infection. This causes a rash to develop that is itchy and scaly and your skin becomes cracked and sore. Treatment with an antifungal cream usually works well.

Undecenoate cream and powder (brand name Mycota®) work by killing the fungus causing the infection. They are available to buy from pharmacies and other retail outlets and can be used by adults and children.

To make sure that this is the right treatment for you, before you start using Mycota® it is important that your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• If you have ever had an allergic reaction to a cream or ointment.

• If you are pregnant (although undecenoate is not known to be harmful in pregnancy).

• Before you start the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack.

• Apply Mycota® twice every day, in the morning and the evening. Apply the cream or powder to the itchy areas and also to the healthy areas of skin surrounding the rash. It shouldn't be applied to any open sores or broken areas of skin.

• Although the rash may seem to go quite quickly, continue to use Mycota® for a week or so after the itchiness has gone. This is to make sure that the skin is completely clear of fungi and will help to prevent the infection from returning.

• You can continue to use Mycota® once a day as a preventative measure if required.

• Wash your feet every day and make sure you dry the skin between your toes thoroughly afterwards. Any soggy skin between your toes is an ideal place for the fungus to grow. Make sure your feet are quite dry before you put socks and shoes on.

• Wash your towels frequently and do not share towels with other people. This will help to stop the infection from being passed on from person to person.

• It is probably better to wear cotton socks rather than socks made from man-made fibres, as these will cause your feet to sweat more than cotton will. Remember to change your socks daily, as fungi can multiply in flakes of skin in unwashed socks.

• If possible, alternate between different pairs of shoes every 2-3 days to allow each pair to dry out fully before being worn again.

• Whenever possible while you are at home, walk around without shoes and socks to let the air get to your feet.
  

Antifungal preparations usually cause no side-effects, although mild irritation can develop occasionally. If this happens and the irritation becomes severe, stop using the preparation, as it could be a sign of an allergic reaction.

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