Does desitin (zinc oxide diaper cream) work to treat athletes foot?

No: You need an antifungal like clotrimizole creme.

Desitin (zinc oxide diaper cream) =Zn oxide: Desitin (zinc oxide diaper cream) is used for diaper rash, its ingredient = zinc oxide, is not an antifungal. Since athlete's foot (tinea pedis) is caused by a fungus in the skin of the feet, u get better results if using an antifungal topical-- cream, ointment, powder or spray--. Common otc topical agents are terbinafine(lamisil), azoles: ketocon(nizoral), clotrim (lotrimin), flucon (mycocide) & tolnaftate (tinactin).