Is iodophor effective for treating athlete’s foot?

　　Povidone-iodine is a commonly used antiseptic in daily life, primarily applied for disinfection of skin and mucous membranes. So, how effective is povidone-iodine for treating athlete’s foot?

　　Is Povidone-Iodine Effective for Treating Athlete’s Foot?

　　Povidone-iodine is not effective for treating athlete’s foot. Athlete’s foot (tinea pedis) is a fungal infection caused by dermatophytes—fungi that infect the skin of the feet. Dermatophytes possess a cell wall and exhibit relative resistance to many external stimuli, distinguishing them from bacteria and viruses. While povidone-iodine effectively kills bacteria and is widely used for skin disinfection, it cannot eradicate fungi. It may exert some inhibitory effect on fungi, but this is insufficient for complete eradication.

　　Povidone-iodine functions primarily as a disinfectant. It eliminates various microorganisms on the skin surface and is extensively used for preoperative skin preparation and disinfection of skin and mucous membranes. Additionally, povidone-iodine exhibits antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and may be applied in certain dermatological conditions such as impetigo, folliculitis, and furuncles. However, for athlete’s foot, topical antifungal agents prescribed by a physician—such as terbinafine cream, fluconazole cream, or ketoconazole cream—are recommended for effective treatment.

　　Povidone-iodine may serve only as an adjunctive measure; targeted antifungal therapy remains essential for treating athlete’s foot. We hope this information is helpful to you.