Which Listerine for athlete's foot?
A: Readers of this column have been using old-fashioned amber Listerine to treat a variety of fungal infections including nail fungus, athlete's foot and jock itch. A popular strategy for nail fungus is a 20-minute foot soak in a solution of equal parts white vinegar and Listerine.
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 essential oils in Listerine are natural antifungals, so may treat mild to moderate cases of toenail fungus and athlete's foot. There is no harm in trying Listerine, but if symptoms do not go away, it is safer to consult a doctor.
What is the best cure for athlete's foot? Over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription antifungal creams, ointments, gels, sprays or powders effectively treat athlete's foot. These products contain clotrimazole, miconazole, tolnaftate or terbinafine. Some prescription antifungal medications are pills.
Yes. Hydrogen peroxide kills the fungus that causes athlete's foot. It can also kill bacteria that live on the surface of the skin and can worsen athlete's foot or cause additional infections. Use hydrogen peroxide on athlete's foot two times per day until the infection is gone.
It's true that ingredients in Listerine contain antibacterial, antioxidant, and antifungal properties. However, there are no official studies to back any claims about the benefits of a Listerine foot soak. That said, this remedy is inexpensive, easy to make, and safe for most people, if you want to give it a try.
Like hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol can help kill off the fungus that's on the surface level of the skin. You can apply it directly to the affected area or soak your feet in a footbath of 70 percent rubbing alcohol and 30 percent water for 30 minutes.
Give your feet a good soak in hydrogen peroxide. Before you dunk your feet, remember that hydrogen peroxide can sting when skin is chapped or cracked. Mix a pint of hydrogen peroxide in 1 gallon of warm water. Soak your feet for about 30 minutes.
Should I Wear Socks to Bed with Athlete's Foot?: Athlete's foot is very contagious and it's a good idea to wear socks to bed, especially if you share your bed with another person. This can help prevent transmitting the fungus to others.
For athlete's foot
For mild forms of this condition, a vinegar soak might work well. The antifungal properties also make vinegar soaks a good idea for people who have toenail fungus. Soak your feet for 10 to 15 minutes daily in a vinegar bath until the infection subsides.
Do I need to throw away my shoes if I have athlete's foot?
You do not have to throw away your shoes if you have athlete's foot unless they were worn without socks, have dirt in them, or you have another skin reaction to the material or color dyes.
The post on Pinterest for the soak says to combine 1/4 cup of Listerine, 1/4 cup of vinegar and 1/2 cup of warm water. After soaking your feet in the mixture for 10 minutes, the dead skin is supposed to wipe right off.
Mix a half-cup of baking soda, a half-cup of Epsom salt, and one-fourth cup of hydrogen peroxide (3%) in four cups of hot water before adding one-fourth cup of white vinegar. Soak for about ten minutes, and then wash with clean water and thoroughly dry your foot/feet.
Tea Tree Oil
Because it can kill some types of bacteria and fungus, people have used it as a home remedy for many years. When rubbed into the skin twice a day, tea tree oil can reduce the itching, scaling, swelling, and burning of athlete's foot.
Athlete's foot is caused by the same type of fungi (dermatophytes) that cause ringworm and jock itch. Damp socks and shoes and warm, humid conditions favor the organisms' growth.
Kill mold and mildew
To kill them without having to breathe in toxic bleach fumes, spray with undiluted 3 percent hydrogen peroxide and allow it to sit for 30 minutes. Rinse. The peroxide will kill the mold and mildew, but you may still need to remove the stains they left behind.
Here's what doctor Green suggests: "You can take wadded up newspaper or paper towels and spray them down with Lysol and stuff them in the shoes and just leave them there overnight. That'll kill the fungus in there.
Neosporin AF (containing miconozole) is marketed for athlete's foot and jock itch. These specific skin fungal infections are caused by the Tinea genus of fungus.
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 worked beautifully, and the rash cleared up in just two days. Old-fashioned amber Listerine does burn a bit going on, but it works well. It also is good for athlete's foot. Thanks for reminding us that the herbal extracts and alcohol in original-formula Listerine have antifungal activity.
Can Vicks Vapor Rub cure athlete's foot?
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.
Your health care provider may prescribe an antifungal cream, such as efinaconazole (Jublia) and tavaborole (Kerydin). You rub this product into your infected nails after soaking. These creams may work better if you first thin the nails.
How Long Does Athlete's Foot Last? Most mild cases of athlete's foot clear up within 2 weeks. But treatment can go for several weeks or longer if the infection is more serious or affects the toenails.
Rubbing alcohol has the same germ and fungal killing properties as hydrogen peroxide. As such, regular application can help eliminate surface infections.
Rubbing Alcohol, Hydrogen Peroxide and Vinegar
In addition, soaking the feet in a bath of 70% rubbing alcohol will help dry the skin out, and likewise kill the invading fungus. The alcohol is not, however, effective against spores. Vinegar in some cases has killed the fungus and is effective against spores.
Hydrogen peroxide is a highly reactive solution. When it comes into contact with a catalase, it releases oxygen and water causing bubbles. 3 If there is blood, bacteria, or another catalase on the skin, hydrogen peroxide will react with it and cause bubbling.
Having athlete's foot once doesn't mean you're immune. If you have an infection, make sure to disinfect or treat any areas that the fungus may be on. This includes your towels, sheets and bathroom or shower floors. Don't forget your shoes either, especially the ones you wear barefoot, like sandals.
Avoid using swimming pools, public showers, or foot baths. Wear sandals when possible or air shoes out by alternating them every 2-3 days. Avoid wearing closed shoes and wearing socks made from fabric that doesn't dry easily (for example, nylon). Treat the infection with recommended medication.
To prevent or mitigate the spread of the fungal infection, an individual might consider being particularly careful with how they handle their laundry. This is because spores can often spread from clothes to clothes.
Tea tree oil can be added to a foot soak to help kill fungus. Himalayan Crystal salt, mixed with apple cider vinegar, can be used in warm water to treat Athlete's foot. Lemon juice is also great, as it has a natural acidic property that helps to exfoliate dead skin cells from your feet.
Will athlete's foot naturally go away?
Unfortunately, athlete's foot does not usually heal on its own. If left untreated, large, painful fissures can also develop. These cracks can expose your feet to bacterial infections, which can make healing more complicated.
Whether you're looking to ward off pesky athlete's foot or simply looking forward to a relaxing night in, an apple cider vinegar foot soak is an essential way to keep your feet at their best. This remedy has many benefits including fighting off bacteria and fungus that cause odors.
Eradicil is a non-biological liquid laundry sanitiser and detergent that contains three disinfectants and antifungals.
Go barefoot at home (but not in public places): Fungus may grow on pool decks, in locker rooms or at the gym, so don't go barefoot in these paces. Instead, stick to bare feet at home and wear sandals in public to give your feet fresh air while they heal from the fungal infection.
A simple and easy fix at home is to “sanitize shower bases with a potential disinfectant like bleach. It kills spores of fungi,” Tierno says. Try a diluted bleach solution to kill off any potential threats.
Then wipe your feet with a washcloth and, bam, smooth heels. Dry skin and calluses come right off. There's a method to the madness: "Both Listerine and vinegar contain gentle acids that exfoliate skin," says cosmetic chemist Ron Robinson. (Benzoic acid, the ingredient in Listerine, isn't in all mouthwashes.)
Mouthwash can be used every day if instructed by your dentist. However, make sure to also follow the instructions on your specific product, including how often to use it and how much to use.
Dr. Ioli, who is chief of the podiatry service at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital, suggested that daily applications of Vicks VapoRub might be at least as effective as most of the topical treatments for toenail fungus that are available by prescription or over the counter.
The recipe is pretty straightforward: one cup of blue Listerine (it has to be the blue one for some reason), one cup of vinegar (regular or apple cider is OK), and two cups of warm water. You'll also want some sort of foot scrubber, as well as a scrub.
The Salt Solution
The fungus that causes athlete's foot can't thrive in saline (a.k.a. salty) solutions, so dissolve about a 1/3 cup salt in a gallon of warm water, and soak your feet in the water for 10 minutes or so at a time, then dry your feet thoroughly. Repeat daily until the problem disappears.
Can athlete's foot be cured permanently?
Most cases of athlete's foot can be cured with over-the-counter antifungal products and basic good hygiene.
1. Listerine Total Care: The best all-round mouthwash – if you don't mind the sting. Listerine dominates the mouthwash market, and Total Care is its flagship product. Boldly, it claims to kill up to 97% of germs, while reducing plaque by up to 56% more than brushing alone.
Like hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol can help kill off the fungus that's on the surface level of the skin. You can apply it directly to the affected area or soak your feet in a footbath of 70 percent rubbing alcohol and 30 percent water for 30 minutes.
Then wipe your feet with a washcloth and, bam, smooth heels. Dry skin and calluses come right off. There's a method to the madness: "Both Listerine and vinegar contain gentle acids that exfoliate skin," says cosmetic chemist Ron Robinson. (Benzoic acid, the ingredient in Listerine, isn't in all mouthwashes.)
It may cause dry mouth. Regular or excessive use of alcohol-based mouthwashes can dry out your mouth, which can lead to tooth sensitivity, bad breath, and even cavities.
Fluoride (Purple):
It is also known as an anti-cavity mouthwash, which means if you have problems with cavities it could be the best mouthwash for you. It also remains in your saliva for a while, so it is highly recommended to not eat or drink anything for at least half an hour after using it.
Mouthwash can be helpful to freshen your breath and cleanse areas your toothbrush can't reach. However, saltwater rinses are generally cheaper and can be equally effective in improving your oral health and hygiene, says Dr. Chris Kammer, DDS, a dental surgeon.
Rubbing Alcohol, Hydrogen Peroxide and Vinegar
In addition, soaking the feet in a bath of 70% rubbing alcohol will help dry the skin out, and likewise kill the invading fungus. The alcohol is not, however, effective against spores. Vinegar in some cases has killed the fungus and is effective against spores.
Give your feet a good soak in hydrogen peroxide. Before you dunk your feet, remember that hydrogen peroxide can sting when skin is chapped or cracked. Mix a pint of hydrogen peroxide in 1 gallon of warm water. Soak your feet for about 30 minutes.
It's true that ingredients in Listerine contain antibacterial, antioxidant, and antifungal properties. However, there are no official studies to back any claims about the benefits of a Listerine foot soak. That said, this remedy is inexpensive, easy to make, and safe for most people, if you want to give it a try.
How long do you soak your feet in Listerine and vinegar?
The post on Pinterest for the soak says to combine 1/4 cup of Listerine, 1/4 cup of vinegar and 1/2 cup of warm water. After soaking your feet in the mixture for 10 minutes, the dead skin is supposed to wipe right off.
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.
You can best treat the Athlete's foot with anti-fungal creams and sprays. But you can also use a hand sanitizer to clean the affected area as hand sanitizers contain isopropyl alcohol, which is effective on fungus, bacteria, and viruses.