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!

Athlete's foot must be properly diagnosed since other foot maladies can also mimic this condition. If you think you might have been afflicted with the irritant, and if you have never been diagnosed with it before, then it is important to see your doctor for a definitive diagnosis before you just start self medicating with any old over the counter remedy.

At your physician's office, your doctor may be able to diagnose your athlete's foot just by taking a look at your irritated foot, and other times it may take sending off a skin sample to the laboratory to see if there are fungal cells present. These fungal cells are a tell tale sign of athlete's foot. The skin really does tell the story.

If you have a definitive diagnosis of athlete's foot, then it is on to the treatment plan. Often your doctor may decide that the best treatment for you is simply the over the counter anti-fungal creams and sprays. Bottom line is still, just follow the plan and do so consistently.

The good news is that most cases of athlete's foot are mild and usually clear up in a couple of weeks. The bad news is that some cases of athlete's foot re-occur over and over again. Some sufferers even report using the over the counter sprays even after the episode clears up in hopes of preventing a re-occurrence.

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.

Some of the OTC athlete's foot products are adequate but often seem as if they do not reach the depths of the skin where the fungus is burrowed in. Cases like this really do require prescription strength medications. So suck it up and take the medicine your doc has prescribed.

It should be pretty easy to remember that if you do not use the medication as prescribed and use it for the entire time order, then you are much more likely to have a re-occurrence of athlete's foot. So get it through your thick head, follow your doctor's orders.

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.