Athlete's Foot Doctor
in Bal Harbour, Bay Harbor Islands & Surfside, FL

Our podiatry office in Bal Harbour, Bay Harbor Islands & Surfside, FL offer the best treatments for athlete’s foot. All procedures are performed by Dr. Gary Curson, an experienced specialist with over 40 years of practice. He stays current on the latest medical advancements to provide cutting-edge therapies that eliminate fungus and prevent its recurrence in feet. Multiple treatment options are available, including laser procedures, topical antifungal creams, and oral medications to meet each patient’s needs.

Table Of Contents

Consultations offered at our three convenient locations in Bal Harbour, Bay Harbor Islands & Surfside, FL.

What Is Athlete’s Foot?

Athlete’s foot, also called tinea pedis, is a fungal infection that affects the feet. It is caused by dermatophytes (a type of fungi) that feed on keratin and thrive in warm, moist environments like swimming pools, locker rooms, and shared showers. The infection usually causes itchy, cracked, and peeling skin. The most commonly affected area is between the toes, but it can also spread to the soles of the feet, toenails, and hands through self-contamination. This infection should be treated immediately because it may cause itchy blisters and ulcers later.

Athlete’s foot is highly contagious and can be passed from one person to another through direct skin-to-skin contact and indirect means. The infection spreads quickly and causes significant discomfort. Therefore, people must be careful when touching dirty surfaces, clothing, socks, shoes, bed sheets, and towels. Individuals with a weaker immune system should avoid walking barefoot around swimming pools and in communal showers to protect themselves from athlete’s foot and other skin infections. Patients must not touch an infected body part to prevent further contamination. We recommend contacting the doctor immediately if there are symptoms of athlete’s foot.

Treatments for Athlete's Foot

Laser Treatment

Our medical laser produces focused beams of intense light that precisely target and eliminate the fungus that causes athlete’s foot. The laser penetrates the top layer of skin to heat up and destroy fungal overgrowth without damaging surrounding healthy tissue. Laser therapy helps resolve symptoms like inflammation and itching in a few short sessions. Multiple treatments may be required to eradicate stubborn skin infections.

Topical Antifungal Creams and Sprays

Topical antifungal creams, ointments, powders, and sprays applied directly to the affected area are often used to treat athlete’s foot. These over-the-counter medications contain butenafine, clotrimazole, miconazole, terbinafine, or tolnaftate that kill the fungus causing the infection. Patients must apply the creams or sprays according to the product instructions, usually twice a day for 1-2 weeks, even if symptoms improve sooner.

Oral Antifungal Medications

Oral antifungal medications, such as terbinafine or itraconazole, may be prescribed for more stubborn or widespread athlete’s foot infections. These drugs spread throughout the body to reach skin, nails, and hair, killing fungus from the inside out. Oral antifungals have a higher success rate than topical treatments. However, they may also cause various side effects, such as nausea, diarrhea, or liver damage. Patients should take these medications exactly as prescribed by Dr. Curson.

Candidates for Athlete’s Foot

Tinea pedis can affect people of any age or health status. It affects men more often than women. The most common candidates who require treatment include:

People wearing tight, nonbreathable shoes
Those using public showers or locker rooms
People who frequently walk barefoot in damp areas
Individuals with diabetes
Elderly people
Individuals with reduced immunity

Benefits of Our Treatments

Miami Feet offers several treatments for athlete’s foot, including laser therapy, topical creams and sprays, and oral antifungal medications. Each of these options has its advantages:

Laser therapy

Laser therapy can penetrate deep into the skin on the feet to kill fungus. The laser light also stimulates healing and prevents recurrent tinea infections.

Topical antifungal creams

Topical antifungal creams, sprays, and powders applied directly to the infected area can quickly relieve symptoms and eliminate fungus on the skin surface. They are easy to use and tend to work faster than oral medications.

Oral antifungal medications

Oral antifungal medications treat fungal infections throughout the body. They may be more effective at reaching infections in the nails or deeper skin layers. Oral medications boost the body's ability to fight off the fungus.

Cost of Athlete’s Foot Treatment in Bal Harbour, Bay Harbor Islands & Surfside, FL

The cost of athlete’s foot treatment in Bal Harbour, Bay Harbor Islands & Surfside, FL, ranges from $15 to $800, depending on the type of therapy. Laser procedures typically cost between $100 and $800 per session. Topical antifungal creams and sprays, like clotrimazole and terbinafine, are available for $15-$30. Prescription oral antifungal medications can range from $100 to $600 for an entire course. If athlete’s foot remains untreated, there is a high risk that it may spread from toe to toe. Therefore, we highly recommend that our patients meet with Dr. Curson for a professional diagnosis. He will give comprehensive information about treatment options that best suit each person’s case.

What Makes Dr. Curson the Best Specialist in Athlete's Foot?

With over 40 years of experience, Dr. Gary Curson has earned a reputation as a top podiatrist in Florida for his expertise and dedication to patients. He stays at the forefront of medical advancements and continuously explores cutting-edge techniques to provide the best treatment for athlete’s foot and other conditions. As a second-generation podiatrist, Dr. Curson draws on his extensive knowledge and the latest innovations to improve our patients’ quality of life.

Our Happy Patients

Sprained Ankle

There are doctors who talk and those who help you walk again pain free. Doctor Curson is among the latter breed. I limped in with a sprained ankle approaching the size of a grapefruit and in pain. An hour later, I was walking normally having had X-rays, a shot, and a laser treatment. If you are in the Bal Harbour, Surfside or Bay Harbor area, don't bother with anyone else. The entire staff is efficient and dedicated. He followed up with me as well. Caroljean Kier

Caroljean K.

Planter Faciatis

Dr. Curson offers a full array of noninvasive treatments for Achilles strains and Planter Faciatis. After 3 months of care with another podiatrist I experienced pain without improvement. I went to Dr. Curson. The results have been excellent. The office staff is friendly, responsive, and competent.

Steve S.

Foot Pain

My experience with Dr. Curson and his staff was excellent. I've been dealing with foot pain for over 6 months and after implementing his treatments my pain has decreased significantly. He fitted me for custom made orthotics (shoe inserts) and after a week of wearing them the pain in my left foot is practically gone. As I wear them more I'm confident I will be able to take long walks again. Without hesitation I recommend Dr. Curson if you have foot issues or pain.

Henny R.

Laser treatment for ankle sprain

Amazing doctor and amazing staff, very friendly and they take the time to know your history and seek the best treatment possible for your specific case. I decided to give them my full confidence for a chronic ankle sprain that just wouldn't go away. The laser treatment was really helpful and they did a set of custom orthotics that are really much better than the off-the-shelf stuff and others I had made before.

Peggy P.

Laser treatment for nail fungus

Amazing experience with Dr. Curson and his office staff. I had 2 issues, pain in my foot from stepping on an object that seemed to be lodged in there somewhere, AND, terrible nail fungus from years and years of cycling and running. Dr. Curson dislodged the object in my foot and treated the nail fungus with a special laser. After the first treatment it was more that 50% better, i can't wait for the 2nd one, I can feel the difference in my nails. Fantastic office and staff and doctor... go see him!

Michael Eisenstadt

Foot pain

Henny Rojas

Athlete's Foot Doctor in Bal Harbour, Bay Harbor Islands & Surfside, FL