Athlete’s foot is a common fungal infection of the skin also known as Tinea Pedis. This fungus loves a warm, moist or damp environment, such as are found in locker rooms, health clubs, public showers, sports shoes and indoor swimming pools. This condition is highly contagious so I recommend that you be very careful in the places mentioned here. In other words, you should not walk barefooted in these areas.
How can you prevent athlete’s foot? Here are some very simple ways;
1. Wear absorbent socks, cotton would be preferable and change them frequently.
2. Wear open-toe shoes which allow your feet to “breathe”.
3. Air out your shoes and do not wear them again until they are completely dry.
4. You could use medicated powder or baking soda in your socks and shoes to help keep the environment dry.
5. After showering be sure to dry your feet thoroughly. You could also spray rubbing alcohol on them to assist in drying them.
6. If you have had athlete’s foot then take those shoes and completely disinfect them with vinegar inside and out.
Now if you currently are suffering with athlete’s foot here are some natural remedies you can try;
1. Apple Cider Vinegar – soak your foot (feet) in a solution of half apple cider vinegar and half water for 10 minutes every day until the symptoms disappear. This helps to relieve the constant itching as well as the peeling of the skin.
2. Baking Soda – you could try soaking your feet in a solution of baking soda and water which helps to balance the pH of the skin.
3. Rubbing Alcohol – rub this onto your foot as it helps to kill the bacteria and aids in keeping your feet dry.
4. DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) – this substance reduces pain and inflammation commonly associated with athlete’s foot.
5. Garlic – garlic is a natural antibiotic and can be used in the natural treatment of athlete’s foot. Some rub a raw clove of garlic onto the affected areas and others make a paste of crushed garlic, apply it to the feet then wash it off after about a half hour or so. You could also try sprinkling your feet with garlic powder instead or wash with garlic juice if you can find this.
6. Ginger– ginger is a has natural anti-fungal properties so you could take some fresh ginger and boil it in water. Let it cool and then apply it to your feet morning and evening until the symptom disappear.
7. Raw Honey – the method here can be a bit messy but you rub the raw honey onto your feet, cover them with socks and leave it on overnight.
8. Neem Oil – Neem oil has anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties so can be very helpful in curing athlete’s foot. Mix 1 Tablespoon of the Neem Oil into some olive oil and rub onto the affected areas of your feet.
9. Salt – a mixture of salt and warm water used to soak your feet helps to kill the fungus and reduce perspiration of your feet naturally.
10. Tea Tree Oil – this can be very potent so you want to mix it with some olive oil and rub onto the irritated areas of your feet.
So there you have a quantity of natural remedies for athlete’s foot that you can try as well as tips on how to prevent athlete’s foot. Look below for additional resources for help dealing with athlete’s foot.