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Top 10 Natural Home Remedies for Athletes Foot
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If you have ever had athletes foot, you know that the burning, itching, scaling, and peeling is oh so annoying! Many people reach for those over the counter medications but they can be super expensive and many of them don’t work all that well.
Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that often occurs between the toes but if not killed, the yeast spreads to the bottoms of the feet. There are three types of fungal foot infections, commonly called athlete’s foot, “moccasin” type, which causes dryness that is so extreme it often tears the skin; vesicular, which is due to allergies to fungus and can cause blisters; and ulcerative, which is the most severe type and tends to cover large areas.
These infections are very contagious and are easily spread in places that tend to stay wet or damp such as gym locker rooms, public showers, nail salons, and swimming pools. Once contracted, it’s difficult to get rid of, but there are numerous home remedies you can use that can kick athlete’s foot out of bounds and out of your life!
1. Cinnamon Water
Soak your feet in warm water and cinnamon for about 10 minutes every night. Cinnamon is a natural anti-fungal so it’s going to kill that fungus dead! Boil some water, then add a few cinnamon sticks and let simmer for about 5 minutes, then allow to cool. As soon as it’s cool enough to put your feet in, dunk those puppies and let them soak. Now this won’t kill it in one day, but you should see an improvement in about a week.
2. Lemon Water
If your athlete’s foot isn’t too severe or you just got over a case of it, try rinsing your feet after every shower with lemon water. Squeeze the juice from one lemon into about 2 cups of water. After a shower, pour the lemon water over your feet, especially between your toes. Allow to dry and you are good to go!
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Top 7 Herbs that Kick Yeast Infections Quickly
3. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil has natural anti-fungal qualities and it’s often just as effective as those over the counter medications. Tea tree oil has been reported as being very effective even against stubborn athlete’s foot infections. Wash and dry your feet well, then apply some tea tree oil to the affected areas using a cotton ball. Allow to air dry completely. This won’t work magic overnight, but you should start noticing a difference in about a week.
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4. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar works super well and is one of the most common home remedies, but beware, it burns like the dickens! That’s because it works so well and it’s killing off the fungus. This method will work faster than some others but only use it if you feel you can stand the burn! Wash and dry your feet well, then apply apple cider vinegar to the affected areas using a cotton ball. If you have a large area, you can just pour it directly out of the container onto your feet.
5. Thyme
Many people have reported that thyme also works very well for killing off the fungus that causes athlete’s foot. Heat some water (it doesn’t have to be boiling) then add a few tablespoons of thyme to the water and let simmer for about 10 minutes. Allow it to cool, and then soak your feet nightly for about 10 to 15 minutes.
6. Colloidal Silver
This is another remedy that has been reported to kill the fungus on contact. Try soaking a cotton ball in colloidal silver and rubbing it on the affected areas.
7. Oil of Oregano
This is perhaps Mother Nature’s strongest antiseptic. This is another one that people say burns a bit but works faster than other methods. Wash and dry your feet well, then, using a cotton ball, apply to the affected areas and allow to dry.
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8. Coconut Oil and/or Neem Oil
Both of these oils have antifungal compounds, but not as strong as oregano oil or tea tree oil, so if you choose to use these, be aware that they might take longer than others. On the plus side, these oils will be much more gentle to your skin. Read more about 101 uses of coconut oil.
SEE ALSO: 15 Creative and Super Easy Ways to Use Neem Oil
9. Rosemary Oil
This is another one of Nature’s antiseptics that works well on Athlete’s foot but, like some of these other oils, it might burn a bit. Apply this oil the same way you would Oregano oil.
10. Garlic
Is there anything garlic is not good for? You can either crush some garlic cloves and rub them over the affected areas or you could apply garlic oil directly to your feet with a cotton ball. You could also mix some garlic oil with coconut oil and apply this salve to your feet each night before bed.
Some people suggest that you use corn starch because of its drying properties but don’t do it! Never use cornstarch on any yeast or fungal infection as fungus feeds on cornstarch! Put baking soda in your shoes if you are looking for something to help keep things dry.
Practice good hygiene after your athlete’s foot has healed. Never share shoes, socks, or towels. Wear flip flops in public showers and when walking around public pools. Always wash and dry your feet well after visiting public places such as gyms or pools. Go barefoot when you can so your feet can stay naturally dry. Fungus cannot live in dry conditions, so feel free to kick off your shoes anytime you can!
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