Do you feel itchy, burning, and stinging sensation between your toes? These are the symptoms of athlete’s foot. Athlete’s foot is a common fungal infection that affects the skin on the feet, which is highly contagious. The condition is medically known as tinea pedis.
The fungal infection can also spread to the hands and toenails. The symptoms include dry skin on the sides of the feet and soles. The condition is called athlete’s foot because it is mostly seen in athletes.
There are various creams and anti-fungal gels to treat athlete’s foot, but what if we say that there are incredible natural remedies for athlete’s foot. Amazed? Well, read on to explore the great benefits of home remedies for athlete’s foot and how to use them.
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Here are the remarkable home remedies for athlete’s foot. Home remedies that include tea tree oil, ginger, garlic, sea salt, and foot soak are beneficial and improve tinea pedis(1).
Read on to explore the extensive benefits and how to use them.
[Also Read: Natural Treatments for Athlete’s Foot]
Tea tree oil is extracted from the leaves of the tea tree. The tea tree is famously known for its anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. Tea tree oil was more effective at killing fungi than several other anti-fungal agents. Just 31% of the people who used a placebo were cured, while the oil cures athlete’s foot in 64% of the people.
Do it regularly for 2-3 times a day
Always use carrier oils such as coconut oil, olive oil, and almond oil of your choice. Don’t apply directly to your foot as it can cause inflammation and burning sensation.
Garlic has a long history of medicinal use, and numerous studies claim garlic to be effective against bacteria and fungi. Garlic is an effective topical treatment for athlete’s foot. A study even found that a derivative of garlic alone results in a complete cure in 79% of people who used garlic for athlete’s foot after seven days.
Garlic is rich in compounds such as allicin and ajoene that impart anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties to it. Garlic’s topical application does wonders in getting rid of the athlete’s food and its painful symptoms.
Do it regularly for at least 2 times a day until you notice an improvement in your condition
Baking soda is readily available in most of the kitchens. It is also an effective way to cure athlete’s foot. Research says that sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) does have anti-fungal and anti-bacterial effects when used directly on the skin.
Baking soda is a natural antiseptic that helps prevent the development of secondary infections in the affected foot. It keeps the area moisture-free and makes it uninhabitable for the fungi responsible for causing the infection.
Do this 2-3 times daily for effective results
[Also Read: Benefits of Baking Soda for Athlete’s Foot]
For a mild form of athlete’s foot, you can use vinegar foot soak. As vinegar has anti-fungal effects, soaking your foot daily in a vinegar foot bath can help fight off fungal infections, including athlete’s foot. Vinegar is not harmful to feet but still use it in diluted forms. Read on to know how to use vinegar for a foot soak.
Do this remedy twice a day for faster improvement in the athlete’s foot.
Coconut oil is another remarkable home remedy for athlete’s foot. Coconut oil contains medium-chain fatty acids that have anti-fungal effects on the skin. Caprylic acid, derived from coconut oil, has been used with various herbs for making multiple anti-fungal drugs.
The oil also contains lauric acid and capric acid also disrupts the cell membrane of the fungus. The anti-inflammatory properties soothe the affected region, and anti-fungal effects destroy the tinea pedis fungus. Research also suggests that people are less prone to fungal infections in places where coconut oil is used in the diet.
Do it regularly for 3-4 times a day at equal intervals
[Also Read: Benefits of Coconut Oil for Athlete’s Foot]
Apple cider vinegar is high in anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties. The natural home remedy is quite beneficial in reducing pain and inflammation. With its anti-fungal properties and anti-bacterial effects, apple cider vinegar destroys the fungal infection responsible for causing athletes foot.
Keep reading to know how to use apple cider vinegar for the condition.
Do this home remedy at least twice or thrice a day for best results
[Read: Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar for Athlete’s Foot]
Ginger is another medicinal herb that can be used to treat athlete’s foot. Ginger possesses anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial properties that help get rid of the bad odor and inflammation associated with the condition. Ginger will have a pleasantly spicy smell.
Apply twice a day to clean foot and to obtain beneficial results on athlete’s foot
The sea salt has amazing anti-fungal and anti-bacterial effects, making it an excellent natural remedy for athlete’s foot and its painful symptoms. The sea salt baths hinder the spread and growth of athletes’ foot.
Also, sea salt helps cleanse the pores on your skin and balances oil production and retains moisture on your skin. The minerals present in the sea salt nourishes the skin, and the anti-bacterial properties discourage the growth of bacteria. Read on to know how to use sea salt in baths.
Follow this natural remedy for twice a day
You’ll well know that turmeric contains a compound called curcumin, that possesses potent anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. These properties well treat athlete’s foot and its painful symptoms. Researches suggest that turmeric is a promising home remedy for athlete’s foot.
Do it twice a day for remarkable benefits
Many people in their house have rubbing alcohol on hands to clean cuts. Rubbing alcohol is similar to hydrogen peroxide and kills off the fungus on the surface of the skin. The rubbing alcohol is antiseptic and thus prevents the spread of infection in the foot. Also, rubbing alcohol helps to stop bleeding and prevents blood flow on skin cuts.
Do it twice a day for good results
Here are some tips to prevent athlete’s foot. Read on.
Healthy feet are happy feet! The home remedies for athlete’s foot, such as tea tree oil, garlic, turmeric, and ginger contain natural anti-fungal, anti-bacterial properties, and anti-inflammatory properties. Various anti-fungal medications and creams can be used orally or topically, but sometimes they can cause specific side effects.
Using these effective natural remedies cures the condition and provides relief in various symptoms. The natural home remedies discussed do not cause any harm to your foot or toenails. However, if you still feel itchy, burning, or pain in your foot, it is advised to consult with your physician or health care provider. Embrace the goodness of natural home remedies for athlete’s foot and live a happy life.
Also Read:
Benefits of Bleach Soak for Athlete’s Foot
Benefits of Baking Soda for Athlete’s Foot
The possible symptoms of athlete’s foot include burning, itching, and burning between your soles of your feet and toes, thick, discoloured and crumby toenails, peeling skin on your feet, dry skin on your soles or sides of your feet, blisters on your foot that itch, and raw skin on your feet.
Athlete’s foot is usually caused by fungi that infect the skin (dermatophytes). These fungi and germs can enter the skin through small wounds or cracks and affect the top layer. The fungus also catches you from the infected person by touching surfaces contaminated with the fungus.
Various home remedies are used in treating athlete’s foot, including hydrogen peroxide, tea tree oil, neem oil, garlic, sea salt baths, talcum powder and hairdryer, and baking soda. Keeping your feet clean and letting them breathe are some lifestyle changes you can adapt as well.