Eliminate foot fungus with home remedies
Fungal infections in the feet, commonly known as athlete’s food, could cause burning, skin redness, bad odor, itching, and flaking. In more severe cases it could produce blisters.
Fungi prefer moist environments which is why keeping your feet wet or sweaty could promote fungal appearance.
Recommendations for avoiding athlete’s foot
This is a fairly common illness, however, following a few recommendations could prevent the appearance of athlete’s foot.
- Try to dry your feet well after every bath. You could even use a hair dryer.
- Always use clean socks made of natural fibers like cotton, as these absorb more moisture in the feet. Try to change them daily, and even twice a day if you have sweaty feet.
- Use footwear that allow your feet to breath, or open shoes.
- Do not use the same shoes every day. Try to change them every few days. Your shoes need at least one day for the moisture in them to dry out.
- Clean the insoles in your shoes, especially if they are covered with dust. This could mean that fungal spores are present; use a disinfectant spray.
- Use shower sandals when you take a shower in communal bathtubs, or gyms, pools, etc.
Home remedies to prevent excessive sweating and moisture in your feet
Washing and drying your feet every day is recommended to fight foot fungus. It is important that you prevent excessive sweating, as well as moisture, for the following remedies to be useful:
Sodium bicarbonate: Prepare a paste with sodium bicarbonate and a bit of water. Rub it over your feet and rinse. Dry your feet well and dust your feet with a little bit of corn starch.
Tea: A simple home remedy against excessive foot sweating is tea rich in tannic acid. It is astringent and fights sweating. We recommend using a bowl that you can sufficiently submerge your feet into. Use boiling water and steep 5 tea bags in it, allowing to set for at least 5 minutes. When the water cools, soak your feet for 30 minutes.
Home remedies to eliminate athlete’s foot
There are a few natural remedies that can be used to fight athlete’s foot, but you must keep in mind that you need to do them regularly.
Tea tree oil: This is a potent antiseptic that could promote the state of the skin affected by the fungus and can stop its growth as well as fight the infection. To use this oil, mix equal parts of this oil with olive oil, and apply a layer over the affected skin and between your toes. Do this procedure twice a day until the fungus disappears (approximately 8 weeks). Tea tree oil could also be used to fight nail fungus.
Garlic: This is a perfect remedy for people that suffer from recurrent foot infections. Garlic is commonly used to treat fungus thanks to its antimicrobial and antifungal attributes. To fight athlete’s foot with garlic, make a bath for your feet by adding two or three cloves of crushed garlic to warm water. Soak your feet for half an hour before drying. You can also mix crushed garlic with olive oil and apply to the affected area twice a day.
Lavender essential oil: This plant had antifungal attributes. Dilute a few drops of lavender essential oil with vegetable oil, like olive oil, and rub over the affected area twice a day.
Plain yogurt: This fermented dairy product is also a probiotic, whose acidophilus bacteria helps eliminate and keep foot fungus under control. In order to use this remedy use plain yogurt like a cream, placing it on affected areas and between your toes. Let dry and wash with warm water only. Do this 3 times a day. Avoid using sweetened yogurt, opt for plain.
Apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar is frequently used to fight dandruff, acne, some allergies, but can also be used to treat athlete’s foot. This is because of its antifungal properties, and because it is also alkaline, it prevents its spread. Prepare a bath for your feet with one part apple cider vinegar with one part water. Wet your feet and let the water go to work for 10 minutes. You could also apply the apple cider vinegar directly to the affected areas with a cotton ball.
Marigold: This plant is frequently use to heal the skin as well as for treating wounds and irritated skin. Marigold is anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal. You can use marigold cream or you could prepare a foot bath with a flower decoction made from dried marigolds. Apply daily.