{"hq_id":"hq-p-bdy-000104","name":"Athlete's foot cream (topical antifungal)","category":{"primary":"personal_care","secondary":"OTC topical","tags":["antifungal","athlete's foot","terbinafine","clotrimazole","OTC"]},"product_tier":"BDY","overall_risk_level":"low","description":"OTC topical antifungal cream containing terbinafine hydrochloride (1%) or clotrimazole (1%) for treatment of tinea pedis (athlete's foot). Vehicle typically contains benzyl alcohol (preservative), cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, and sodium hydroxide. Generally well-tolerated. Main concerns are skin sensitization (allergic contact dermatitis) from active ingredient or vehicle components, particularly benzyl alcohol. Terbinafine is fungicidal (kills fungi); clotrimazole is fungistatic (inhibits growth). Both are effective for dermatophyte infections.","synthesis":{"derived_risk_level":"insufficient_data","synthesis_confidence":0,"synthesis_method":"none","context_source":null,"compounds_resolved":1,"compounds_total":1,"synthesis_date":"2026-03-27","synthesis_version":"1.0.0"},"hazard_summary":{"sensitive_populations":"adult (sensitized individuals)","overall_risk":"low","primary_concerns":["Skin sensitization/allergic contact dermatitis (uncommon)","Local skin irritation (burning, stinging) at application site"],"exposure_routes":"dermal"},"exposure":{"routes":["dermal"],"contact_types":["skin_direct"],"users":["adult","child"],"duration":"short_term","frequency":"daily_for_1-4_weeks","scenarios":["Daily application to feet for 1-4 weeks","Allergic contact dermatitis from vehicle components"],"notes":"Topical absorption of terbinafine is <5%. Systemic exposure is minimal from cream application."},"consumer_guidance":{"red_flags":[],"green_flags":[{"indicator":"FDA OTC Drug Facts label present","meaning":"Regulated product with standardized active ingredient concentration","verification":"Check Drug Facts panel"}],"what_to_ask":[],"alternatives":[{"name":"Tea tree oil (Melaleuca)","notes":"Natural antifungal; some evidence for mild tinea pedis; less effective than terbinafine"},{"name":"Tolnaftate cream 1%","notes":"Alternative OTC antifungal; different mechanism; well-tolerated"}],"notes":null},"regulatory":{"applicable_regulations":[{"jurisdiction":"USA","regulation":"FDA OTC Drug Monograph — Antifungal","citation":"21 CFR 333","requirements":"Terbinafine 1% and clotrimazole 1% approved as OTC antifungals.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":"FDA","penalties":null,"source_ref":null}],"certifications":[],"labeling":{"required_disclosures":["Drug Facts label"],"prop65_warning":{"required":null,"chemicals":[],"endpoint":null,"notes":null},"ghs_labeling":{"required":null,"signal_word":null,"pictograms":[],"hazard_statements":[],"notes":null},"hidden_ingredients":{"trade_secret_protected":null,"categories_hidden":[],"estimated_count":null,"known_concerns":null,"notes":null},"notes":null},"recalls":[],"regulatory_gap":null,"notes":null},"lifecycle":{"recyclable":true,"disposal_guidance":"Regular household waste","hazardous_waste":false,"expected_lifespan":"2-3_years"},"formulation":{"form":"cream","key_ingredients":[{"hq_id":null,"name":"Terbinafine hydrochloride","role":"antifungal_active","concentration_pct":"1.0"},{"hq_id":null,"name":"Clotrimazole (alternative active)","role":"antifungal_active_alt","concentration_pct":"1.0"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000898","name":"Benzyl alcohol","role":"preservative","concentration_pct":"1-2"},{"hq_id":null,"name":"Cetyl/stearyl alcohol (emulsifier)","role":"emulsifier","concentration_pct":"5-15"},{"hq_id":null,"name":"Purified water","role":"vehicle","concentration_pct":"60-80"}],"certifications":[]},"materials":{"common":[],"concerning":[],"preferred":[]},"compound_composition":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000898","compound_name":"Benzyl alcohol","role":"preservative","typical_concentration":null}],"identifiers":{"common_names":["athlete's foot cream","antifungal cream","foot fungus treatment","terbinafine cream"],"aliases":[],"manufacturer":null,"brands":[]},"brand_examples":[{"brand":"Generic Mass-Market Brand A","manufacturer":"Consumer Products Corporation","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Widely available mass-market option"},{"brand":"Generic Mass-Market Brand B","manufacturer":"Consumer Goods Ltd","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Popular budget alternative"},{"brand":"Premium Brand A","manufacturer":"Premium Consumer Inc","market_position":"premium","notable":"Upscale premium positioning"}],"sources":[{"type":"expert_curation","name":"ALETHEIA Safety Database","date":"2026-03-24"},{"type":"regulation","title":"FDA OTC Drug Monograph — Antifungal (21 CFR 333)","jurisdiction":"USA","citation":"21 CFR 333","id":"src_21996d5a"},{"id":"src_001","type":"database","title":"PubChem","year":2026,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000898"}],"meta":{"schema_version":"4.0.0","last_updated":"2026-03-24","timestamp":"2026-05-02T18:17:03.336Z"}}