Tolnaftate

What is Tolnaftate?

Tolnaftate is an antifungal cream that helps treat athlete’s foot, a common fungal skin infection that causes redness, itching, and peeling around and between your toes.

While athlete’s foot doesn’t cause much discomfort, it’s highly contagious and may spread to other parts of your body and other people, so it should be treated promptly.

The first-line treatment is topical antifungals, like Tolnaftate, but if your condition persists or worsens, your doctor might prescribe oral antifungals.

How does Tolnaftate work?

The exact way Tolnaftate works isn’t fully understood, but it’s thought to work by stopping the fungi from making an important molecule called ergosterol. Without this molecule, the fungi can’t survive and grow, allowing your body to better fight the infection.^[1]

Will I get side effects with Tolnaftate?

There’s a chance of getting side effects from Tolnaftate, although not everyone will experience them. As Tolnaftate is applied topically, the risk of side effects is lower compared to oral antifungals. You may experience some skin irritation or redness, but these symptoms should subside after a short time.

How does Tolnaftate compare with Clotrimazole?

Tolnaftate and clotrimazole are both topical antifungals used to treat infections such as athlete’s foot and jock itch. Both medications are effective, but studies show that clotrimazole may work better and faster. Clotrimazole can treat athlete’s foot within two weeks, while tolnaftate might take a bit longer to show results.^[2]

What doses of Tolnaftate are there?

Tolnaftate comes as a 1% cream. You typically apply it twice a day for up to four weeks.

How to use Tolnaftate

To treat athlete’s foot with Tolnaftate:

1. Wash and dry your feet.
2. Apply a small amount of cream to the affected and surrounding area.
3. Repeat up to two times a day, in the morning and evening.

You should change your socks and towels daily until the condition is fully treated. You should also continue using the treatment until your doctor advises you to stop. Stopping treatment early can cause the infection to return.