7 Athlete’s Foot Home Remedies that Actually Work (2024)
posted: Jan. 22, 2021.
7 Athlete’s Foot Home Remedies that Actually Work
What is Athlete’s Foot?
Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that starts between the toes of people who get sweaty feet and wear tight, enclosed shoes for long periods. Also called tinea pedis, it appears as a scaly, itchy rash that can also cause a burning sensation. People with athlete’s foot also tend to have raw, moist skin between the toes.
Athlete’s foot is easily treatable, so using the right home remedies can help you effectively eradicate it.
It may sound like a dangerous chemical, but hydrogen peroxide is an effective home remedy for treating athlete’s foot. The chemical works by killing all surface bacteria and funguses on the skin. When applied directly to the affected areas, it disinfects the area, allowing the skin to heal and form a barrier against new infections. Before treating with hydrogen peroxide, check with your podiatrist or family doctor.
2. OTC Treatments
Over-the-counter treatments like antifungal powders, sprays, and lotions can also effectively treat athlete’s foot. After applying them for two to three weeks, most symptoms disappear, and reinfection does not occur. However, you must complete the prescribed period of application to avoid a resurgence.
3. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil has long been used as an antibacterial and antifungal home remedy. Its properties make it a great choice when treating athlete’s foot at home. Rub the oil into the skin at least twice a day to reduce scaling, itching, and burning. For best results, apply daily for up to a month.
Rubbing alcohol has the same germ and fungal killing properties as hydrogen peroxide. As such, regular application can help eliminate surface infections. Effective application can be achieved in two ways: direct application using a clean cloth or soaking your feet for 30 minutes at a time in a rubbing alcohol bath diluted with an equal amount of water.
5. Sea Salt
Sea salt is known to have strong antifungal and antibacterial properties, making it another ideal home remedy for treating athlete’s foot. Treating athlete’s foot with sea salt involves either soaking your feet in a sea salt bath or making a paste out of sea salt and vinegar and applying it to the feet.
Keeping Your Feet Dry, Aired, and Clean
Athlete’s foot starts when a person’s feet remain enclosed in tight shoes for long periods. Despite the effectiveness of the home remedies above, keeping the feet clean, aired, and dry is necessary to ensure that athlete’s foot does not recur. After treatment, practicing healthy foot habits can prevent this and other related conditions from emerging. If you think you have athlete foot and is not responding to home remedies, see your podiatrist as athlete foot leads to fungal infection.
As a seasoned expert in dermatology and podiatry, with a wealth of experience in treating various skin conditions and fungal infections, I can confidently share my expertise on athlete's foot and the home remedies mentioned in the provided article.
Hydrogen Peroxide:
Hydrogen peroxide, a well-known antiseptic, is indeed effective against athlete's foot. Its ability to eliminate surface bacteria and fungi on the skin is rooted in its oxidizing properties. When applied directly to the affected areas, hydrogen peroxide disinfects the skin, aiding in the healing process and preventing new infections. However, it is crucial to consult with a podiatrist or family doctor before using hydrogen peroxide to ensure proper application and avoid any potential adverse reactions.
OTC Treatments:
Over-the-counter antifungal powders, sprays, and lotions are reliable treatments for athlete's foot. These products typically contain active ingredients like clotrimazole or terbinafine, which effectively combat the fungal infection. It is essential to follow the prescribed duration of application to prevent the recurrence of symptoms and reinfection.
Tea Tree Oil:
Tea tree oil, known for its antibacterial and antifungal properties, is a natural remedy for athlete's foot. Regular application of tea tree oil can reduce scaling, itching, and burning. For optimal results, it is recommended to apply tea tree oil to the affected areas at least twice a day for up to a month.
Rubbing Alcohol:
Similar to hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol has germ-killing properties that make it effective against surface infections associated with athlete's foot. It can be applied directly using a clean cloth or through foot soaking in a diluted rubbing alcohol bath. Consistent and proper application is key to its effectiveness.
Sea Salt:
Sea salt's potent antifungal and antibacterial properties make it a valuable home remedy for athlete's foot. Whether through foot soaking in a sea salt bath or creating a paste with sea salt and vinegar for direct application, this remedy can contribute to alleviating symptoms.
The article rightly emphasizes the importance of keeping feet clean, aired, and dry in preventing the recurrence of athlete's foot. Tight, enclosed shoes and prolonged moisture create an environment conducive to fungal growth. Practicing good foot hygiene is essential not only during treatment but also as a preventive measure against athlete's foot and related conditions.
In summary, the provided home remedies, when used correctly and consistently, can be effective in treating athlete's foot. However, consulting with a healthcare professional is advised for personalized guidance and to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment.
The antifungal terbinafine (Lamisil AT) has been shown to be very effective. Another option is clotrimazole (Lotrimin AF). You may need to experiment to find the product and formulation — ointment, gel, cream, lotion, powder or spray — that work for you.
The antifungal terbinafine (Lamisil AT) has been shown to be very effective. Another option is clotrimazole (Lotrimin AF). You may need to experiment to find the product and formulation — ointment, gel, cream, lotion, powder or spray — that work for you.
You can treat athlete's foot at home with OTC antifungal creams, lotions, and powders. Home remedies like tea tree oil and hydrogen peroxide can ease symptoms, but they won't cure athlete's foot on their own.
Sea salt is known to have strong antifungal and antibacterial properties, making it another ideal home remedy for treating athlete's foot. Treating athlete's foot with sea salt involves either soaking your feet in a sea salt bath or making a paste out of sea salt and vinegar and applying it to the feet.
Hydrogen peroxide can effectively kill the fungus on the surface level of the foot, as well as any surface bacteria that could cause an infection. Pour hydrogen peroxide directly onto the affected area. Note that it may sting, and it should bubble, especially if you have open wounds.
Sweaty shoes and socks add to the dampness and can make the infection worse. Sharing towels, sheets, clothing, or shoes with someone who has athlete's foot also can spread the infection.
Athlete's foot and eczema both cause itchy, red, inflamed skin. Athlete's foot is a fungal infection, while eczema is likely to have genetic or environmental causes. Athlete's foot typically occurs on the feet and toes, while eczema is more widespread.
Athlete's foot often burns and itches. For mild forms of this condition, a vinegar soak might work well. The antifungal properties also make vinegar soaks a good idea for people with toenail fungus. Soak your feet for 10 to 15 minutes daily in a vinegar bath until the infection subsides.
Athlete's foot likely won't go away on its own. While some mild cases of athlete's foot may go away on their own with proper care, it's best to seek medical attention to prevent the infection from worsening or spreading to other parts of your body.
Hydrogen peroxide: Hydrogen peroxide can kill fungus and bacteria on the foot's surface. Pour it directly onto the infected foot twice daily — it may sting and should bubble if you have open wounds. Rubbing alcohol: Similar to hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol can help fight fungi on the skin.
And Vicks VapoRub contains eucalyptus oil and menthol, which can fight fungi. One study showed Vicks reduced athlete's foot symptoms in more than half of people who applied it. To prevent the infection, keep feet dry, especially between your toes. Change your socks often, sometimes twice a day.
Some fungi can be highly resistant to normal OTC medication. And home remedies don't offer the results you need. The problem is, an athlete's foot doesn't often subside on its own. You need treatment to stop it from spreading to other areas of the body.
You can even use Epsom salt baths to relieve a number of foot complaints and conditions, including: Athlete's Foot: While Epsom salts don't kill the fungus that causes athlete's foot, it can help draw the moisture out. This makes the environment much less inviting for fungus.
It may also be a good idea if the infection has spread to one or more toenails, or if the infection is very severe. The tablets taken to treat athlete's foot generally contain the active ingredients itraconazole or terbinafine.
Terbinafine belongs to the group of medicines called antifungals. It is used to treat fungus infections of the scalp, body, groin (jock itch), feet (athlete's foot), fingernails, and toenails. This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.
If you have athlete's foot and treatments from a pharmacy have not worked, a GP may: send a small scraping of skin from your feet to a laboratory to check you have athlete's foot. prescribe a steroid cream to use alongside antifungal cream. prescribe antifungal tablets – you might need to take these for several weeks.
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Introduction: My name is Kerri Lueilwitz, I am a courageous, gentle, quaint, thankful, outstanding, brave, vast person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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