Athlete’s foot has become a general skin problem and mainly affects feet skin. This skin problem caused by a fungus. This fungal infection is contagious and in the medical field, it is termed as tinea pedis. Its main reason is sweat and moisture. It causes inflammation and itchiness in the affected areas.
This infection easily gets spread from one area to another. According to the survey report, there are around 15 % to 25 % of people who get affected least to athlete’s foot at least once in a lifetime. The baking soda for athlete’s foot is the perfect medicine.
Simple Baking Soda Solutions for Athlete’s Foot
1. Baking Soda and Water Soak
When an individual adds baking soda to the bath, it helps in detoxing the body and also helps to get rid of itching, irritation, or infections. For preparing a baking soda bath, simply add baking soda (between ¼ to 2 cups) to warm bath water and need to stir it till get dissolved.
When the baking soda gets fully dissolved, soak in the bathtub for around 40 minutes. After taking a bath, an individual must pat his skin with a dry towel. Further, he needs to moisturize his skin by using some natural oil or lotion so that there is no dryness.
2. Baking Soda Paste
Baking soda paste is capable of balancing the pH levels of the skin. This paste also helps to exfoliate the dead skin cells. An individual can use the baking soda paste for dealing with athlete’s foot(1). Before applying baking soda paste on the feet, an individual needs to clean them thoroughly and dry the feet with a towel.
Then prepare baking soda paste by mixing 3 portions of baking soda and 1 portion of water and form a thick paste. An individual can spread this paste on his feet and in between the toes evenly. Let the paste dry on its own and later on, wash feet with cold water and again dry with a towel.
[Also Read: Natural Treatments for Athlete’s Foot]
3. Baking Soda and Cinnamon Powder
Cinnamon consists of the anti-fungal property and does not allow to spread the fungal infection. For preparing a mixture of baking soda and cinnamon powder follow the given below steps:
- Heat the water (1/2 liter).
- Add cinnamon sticks (8 to 10 sticks) in the water.
- Let the broken cinnamon sticks boil in water for 15 minutes and then keep the mixture on simmer for 30 minutes.
- Add baking soda (1 tablespoon) to this mixture and then mix baking soda in the mixture properly.
- An individual needs to soak his feet in the solution when it gets warm enough for 15 minutes.
4. Baking Soda and Epsom Salt
Both baking soda and Epsom salts are not much expensive. You can buy baking soda in supermarkets whereas Epsom salt is easily available at the drugstore. Epsom salt is beneficial for both health and beauty. Baking soda is the perfect ingredient of detox bath because it helps in removing toxin and fight diseases such as cancer, flu, yeast, fungal inspection, etc.
For preparing a mixture of baking soda(2) and Epsom salts. Take Epsom salt (1 cup), baking soda (1 cup) and add Lavender Essential oil (10 drops). Mix three of them properly. Apply it on the affected area. Simply dry off the paste, do not rinse it.
[Also Read: Epsom Salt for Athlete’s Foot]
5. Using Baking Soda Alone
A mixture of sodium ions and bicarbonate ions termed as baking soda. It gets completely dissolved in water. You can find baking soda in oral hygiene and cleaning products, as it helps in removing fungal infection or bacteria, odors, and acidity. The baking soda acts as boon for an individual who is suffering from a certain type of skin problem.
The research found that baking soda helps in killing Candida cells or fungal cells which are responsible for yeast infections. Moreover, baking soda is beneficial for various other conditions such as fungal skin and nail infections, diaper rash, eczema, etc.
[Also Read: Health Benefits for Baking Soda]
Precautionary Measures
An individual need to adopt a few things in his routine. Daily wash the feet with soap and water (temperature should be 60ºC or higher). After washing feet, dry it properly. Everyday apply doctor recommended antifungal powder on the feet. Avoid sharing of shoes, socks, or towels with others. Only wear cotton fabric or breathable fabric socks. Must change the socks daily, especially when feet get sweaty easily. Switch to another pair of shoes when one pair has been used for two or three days.
Bottom Line
Contagious fungal infection i.e. Athlete’s Foot or Tinea Pedi caused by Trichophyton Fungus. Usually, this fungus is already present on the skin of the human but it starts growing rapidly when it finds warm and damp conditions. Athlete’s foot mainly occurs in tight shoes with no air ventilation because it provides an ideal environment for the fungus to develop.
There are various athlete’s foot symptoms such as burning, redness, stinging and flaking of the skin. In case, you do not want to go for chemical-laden creams then simply try home remedies. Baking soda considered as one such remedy which undoubtedly has helped various people in treating athlete’s foot.
Also Read:
Home Remedies for Athlete’s Foot
Bleach Soak benefits for Athlete’s Foot
FAQs
1. What Is Athlete’s Foot?
The medical name of athlete’s foot is Tinea Pedi and it is a contiguous fungal infection that affects the feet skin. This fungal infection gets easily spread to the toenails and the hands from the affected area. This contiguous fungal infection mainly found in athletes this is the reason it termed as athlete’s foot.
2. How Is Baking Soda Helpful in Treating Athlete’s Foot?
Baking soda considered as a natural antiseptic because it helps in preventing the development of the secondary infection in the affected area of feet. Baking soda also helps in keeping the affected area moisture-free, and it also does not let fungus reside in the affected area which is responsible for spreading the infection.
3. What Are the Symptoms of Athlete’s Foot?
There are various symptoms of athlete’s foot including itchy, stinging, and burning sensation; moist and raw skin; cracking and peeling skin between the toes, and soles of the feet; dry sole skin; discolored and thick toenails; itchy blisters on the feet; and toenails get disoriented from the nail bed.
