About Athlete's foot

I have a wart on the bottom of my left feet that was removed using Liquid Nitrogen.  The 1 treatment takes 2 months for the blister to fell off.  During the last post-op, the wart is gone.  But there are some skin peeling on the bottom of both feet, mostly on area below the toe.  My dermatologist give me a definite diagnosis saying it is Athlete's foot and said no culture is needed but I am not so certain since this only start occurring 1 month after the liquid nitrogen treatment for the one wart on my left foot and he told me I should have the Athlete's foot for a few years already.  Because of liquid nitrogen, I kind of walk funny for a while.

He prescribed some sort of cream (Naf??) for me to use 2x every day for Athlete's foot for 3-4 months.  I am thinking about getting a second opinion from a podiatrist next week and asking the podiastrist to send some sample for examination (via culturing etc).  What I am asking is.  Should I start using the cream before getting a second opinion or should I simply wait up on the medication before getting the 2nd opinion since culturing might be requested.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Most of the time, athlete's foot can be diagnosed by inspection, with no culture needed.  The cream the doctor gave you is most likely Naftin, which is a safe and effective antifungal.  You have nothing to lose by trying it, which I suggest you do.  If the scaling doesn't go away, you can get another opinion.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff