Home Remedies For Athletes Foot

Natural Remedies For Athletes Foot

Athletes foot is a common skin infection formally known as Tinea Pedis, which thrives in environments high in humidity, warm, and moisture filled. The fungus that causes athletes foot is found on surfaces often associates with sports such a locker room floors and other surfaces within locker rooms and is why the fungal infection is given the name Athletes foot. Although mostly associated with locker rooms and sports facilities, the fungus is also found in bathrooms and areas around swimming pools, with moisture and warmth being the key factor, providing the ideal growing environment for the fungus. Because athletes foot is so common, it stands to reason why people search for natural remedies for athletes foot.

Athletes foot is uncomfortable and irritating to the point is can be consuming. The fungus causes intense itching and a burning sensation between and around the toes. As it progresses the fungus presents in blisters and cracking resulting in peeling skin. Athletes foot is a super fast growing fungus and once infected, the infection progress quickly. People such as athletes who use their bodies in sports functions usually have no choice but to wear socks exasperating the situation, creating the ideal environment for athletes foot. Activity coupled with socks and shoes cause the feet to sweat, creating the atmosphere in which the fungus becomes prolific.

To increase chances of not contracting athletes foot, there are simple measures that can be implemented. Open type shoes such as shower shoes or flip flops should always be worn when in locker rooms or other public shower and bathroom facilities to reduce skin to floor contact, helping reduce the chances of coming in contact with the fungus. Eliminating moisture is key to reducing chances of acquiring athletes foot. By focusing on toweling off between each toe after emerging from the shower or pool, we can further eliminate our chances of getting athletes foot.

Footwear, particularly socks can make a big difference. One hundred percent cotton socks can increase the chances of creating a moisture filled environment around the foot since all cotton sock cause the foot to sweat, which is the environment the fungus thrives. By wearing footwear containing synthetics, feet stay cooler and are less likely to sweat, further reducing the chances of perspiring around the feet.

Home Remedies For Athletes Foot

Although over the counter medications can be purchased such as anti-fungus medications. First you will need to wash the affected area with a mild soap and rinsing the area and taking care to completely remove all moisture by drying thoroughly between each toe and in the creases under each toe. After the area has been thoroughly dried, apply the anti fungal medication thinly through out the toes, feet and affected area.
Patience is key since it usually requires up to ten days to two weeks for the affected area to heal.

For most however, herbal remedies for athletes foot or home remedies for athletes foot can for all practical purposes be a cure for athletes foot. One of the most popular methods is to put vinegar in a bath for you feet. When using vinegar you should first obtain a large basin or bowl big enough to place both feet so they can be totally submerged. This process will take 15 to 20 minutes. Fill the basin with luke-warm water and place your feet inside basin then add one cup of vinegar. Do this each day making sure not to skip a day and the athletes foot should be cured in a week to ten days.

Another household product used everyday in many homes as a home remedy cure for athletes foot is Listerine mouthwash. Applied two or three times daily with a cotton ball to the affected areas will help kill the fungus and keep athletes foot from spreading to other areas of the foot. Let the mouthwash air dry without wiping off and apply one or two time more later in the day. Using Listerine as a natural remedy for athletes foot is entirely safe for adults and children.

Using common baking soda will help eliminate moisture between the toes after showering and is another excellent natural treatment for athletes foot. Using baking soda daily gets rid of the dampness and inhibits the growth of the fungus and should applied everyday until the athletes foot fungus has disappeared.

If you are suffering from tinea pedis, or what is commonly known as athlete's foot, then you know how embarrassing it is to have very foul-smelling feet. The worse part of having this condition is that it is quite hard to eliminate and easy to spread.

There are a lot of over-the-counter remedies for this fungal infection, but sometimes they do not work immediately and the infection may keep coming back. If you want to get rid of this foot problem for good, you might want to use the natural remedies for dealing with athlete's foot. Here are some of the things you can do to alleviate embarrassing and foul-smelling feet caused by tinea pedis:

Try A Dab Of Yogurt

Yogurt is known to contain live microorganisms that are good for your intestines and overall digestive system. Yogurt, particularly the plain one, can also help minimize the symptoms of athlete's foot when applied to the infected area. Aside from soothing to the skin, this dairy product is also safe to apply anytime. For immediate relief from itching and burning, a dab of yogurt is what you need.

Get A Dose Of Garlic

Many of us think that garlic is just used to make dishes smell and taste more delectable. However, this lowly bulb is actually a potent fungi eliminator, among other properties. In order to eradicate the fungi colony on your feet, it would be wise to place about three drops of garlic oil on the affected areas. The good thing about garlic oil is that it is absorbed well by the skin so it penetrates even the roots of the fungi.

A word of caution: your breath may smell garlicky even if you rub garlic oil only on your feet. So, if you have a romantic evening in mind, stay away from garlic for a while. The best time to use this oil is during bedtime so you don't have to be conscious of having garlic-smelling breath. Be sure to do the treatment every night for two to four weeks even when the signs of athlete's foot are gone to make sure that the problem does not return.

By the way, if you cannot find garlic oil or capsule, you can also try using raw and crushed garlic. Eating raw garlic can also ensure that allicin, the component in garlic that is important in killing fungus, is intact and pure. About four cloves a day is enough to have an effect on your tinea pedis. While you are eating garlic, however, it would be best to increase your water intake up to about 12 to 16 glasses daily so that you won't have an upset stomach from eating too much garlic. Do this for 4 to 6 months to ensure that you won't have athlete's foot or other fungal infections for good.

Add Some Vitamin C

Whenever you are fighting fungal or other types of infection, you have to strengthen your immune system. More often than not, those who have recurring fungal woes have poor immunity. One way to boost your immune system is by taking Vitamin C supplements. About 250 mg of Vitamin C for the first seven days is recommended. After a week, you may want to increase your dose to 500mg daily.

Avoid Refined Sugar

It is important to note that fungus loves sugar. The more you eat sugary treats, the better for the fungal colony on your feet.

Once you feed these pesky microbes, your problem can spread even to uninfected areas or other people's feet. Worse, fungi can also affect your toenails. It is common for people with recurring athlete's foot problems to have nail fungus too.

Natural Remedies can help alleviate many of the problems associated with athletes foot.