What is the best medication for treating athlete's foot?

There is no absolute best medication for treating athlete's foot (tinea pedis), as different individuals may respond differently depending on their specific conditions. However, the following categories of medications are commonly used: 1. **Antifungal agents**: These are the primary medications for treating athlete's foot and include imidazole antifungal drugs (such as miconazole, econazole, and clotrimazole) and allylamine antifungal drugs (such as terbinafine and butenafine). These medications work by inhibiting fungal cell membrane synthesis or blocking fungal cellular respiration, thereby killing the fungi. 2. **Keratolytic agents**: For hyperkeratotic types of athlete's foot, keratolytic agents such as salicylic acid ointment or retinoic acid cream may be needed to promote desquamation and enhance the penetration and absorption of antifungal medications. 3. **Other medications**: Traditional Chinese compound preparations such as Songyao Xuanjing (Coral Fungus Remedy), which contains multiple ingredients and has antibacterial and anti-itch properties, can also be used in the treatment of athlete's foot. Please note that when using medications to treat athlete's foot, it is essential to strictly follow medical advice and avoid self-medication or indiscriminate drug use.