The foot fungus, also known as athlete’s foot or foot ringworm, is a widespread infection that is caused by fungi or yeasts that affect the skin of the feet, resulting in very intense itching, as well as the appearance of cracks, peeling, and redness in the damaged area. Everyone can suffer this infection, but it is much more common among those who frequent hot and humid environments, and this type of microorganisms proliferate quickly in places such as swimming pools, showers, and standard changing rooms. It is essential to treat the athlete’s foot quickly to prevent the fungal infection from spreading and damaging the nails’ health. Next, in this FastlyHeal article, we will show what home remedies for foot fungus are the most effective and how they can speed up its healing.
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Causes and symptoms of foot fungus
Athletes’ feet occurred when fungi called dermatophytes to increase on the skin of the feet, and that, in general, usually affects the spaces between the toes, the sole, and the edges of the foot. This type of fungus or yeast thrives in humid and warm environments and, therefore, it is more common to contract this condition when wearing closed shoes if the feet are wet for a long time if they frequent changing rooms, gyms, swimming pools, and showers public and community if you suffer from excessive perspiration or any injury to the nails or the skin of the feet. Yeast infections of the feet are highly contagious and can be spread easily by sharing personal items, such as towels, shoes, or socks.
Next, we detail what are the main symptoms of toenail fungus so that you can identify that you suffer from this fungal infection:
- In the affected areas, be it the spaces between the toes, the sole, or the sides of the feet, the skin will be cracked and flaky.
- Sometimes the skin is reddish, and you experience itching, burning, or shooting pains.
- Blisters may appear that secrete fluid or that end up crusting.
- You can also perceive a bad smell on the feet.
If the infection progresses, it may spread and also affect the toenails. Therefore, it is essential to seek treatment for the first symptoms and use the appropriate antifungal essential oils for the skin and follow medical recommendations regarding care and hygiene.
Tea tree oil, the best natural antifungal
Tea tree oil ranks first among the best home remedies for foot fungus. It is an oil obtained from the leaves of a plant of Australian origin that stands out mainly for its antifungal and antibacterial properties, making it excellent for eliminating all types of microorganisms that cause skin infections. Scientific research has been carried out in which it has been proven that tree oil in concentrations of 25 to 50% could be enough to cure an athlete’s foot completely.
To use it, you can apply a drop of this oil on the affected area of the foot about 2 or 3 times a day. On the other hand, it is also good to pour a little of the oil into a large container with water and soak your feet for about 10 minutes. In those cases where the infection is more advanced, the mixture of antifungal tea tree oil, olive oil, and apple cider vinegar is an excellent option to reduce symptoms.
Apple cider vinegar regulates the pH of the skin.
Apple cider vinegar has become a widely used product to treat various skin conditions, and it is also suitable for those related to the proliferation of fungi. The reason is that it contains alkaline properties that allow regulating the skin’s pH, thus modifying the favorable conditions for the development of fungi. In addition, it favors the eradication of the microorganism that has caused the infection.
Treatment with apple cider vinegar for athlete’s foot is straightforward. It consists of diluting the apple cider vinegar in the same amount of water and applying the liquid obtained to the affected parts with the help of gauze. Another equally effective option is to soak your feet for about 15 to 20 minutes in a bowl of water and apple cider vinegar. It is essential to dry your feet very well with a clean towel that has not been used previously.
Saltwater to relieve itching
As we have mentioned in the first section, fungi can cause intense itching in the feet and redness on the skin. And to try to lessen symptoms like these while fighting yeast, saltwater is an excellent natural solution. It is perfect for increasing the body’s ability to deal with infections and heal irritated and damaged skin.
Fill a large container with warm water and add a good handful of sea salt. When the preparation is ready, soak your feet and relax for about 20 minutes. After that time, you can remove your feet and dry them carefully with a towel.
Oils to treat athlete’s foot
In addition, you can make the previous treatment doubly effective if, addition, you add a few drops of oil with antifungal properties, such as the ones shown below:
- Lavender essential oil: promotes the elimination of fungi, brings freshness to the skin, and provides relaxation.
- Lemon essential oil is antibacterial and prevents the suffering of fungal infections.
- Oil of oregano: It is antifungal, antimicrobial, and analgesic, making it ideal for combating skin conditions, such as athlete’s foot, and reducing discomfort.
If you do not want to include the oils in the foot bath, you can mix a few drops of the selected oil with olive oil and apply the ointment directly to the affected skin.
Baking soda and lemon
The combination of baking soda and lemon juice is an effective home treatment to accelerate the healing of an athlete’s foot. Bicarbonate is alkaline and allows it to combat microorganisms that damage the skin, and lemon, for its part, is a citrus fruit with potent antibiotic and antifungal properties.
Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with lemon juice and let it act on the foot for about 10 minutes. After this time, rinse with plenty of water, and that’s it!
Garlic, antibiotic and antimicrobial
Finally, we recommend using garlic as a home remedy for foot fungus. This popular food has an effective antibiotic action. It contains allicillin, which makes it an excellent solution to prevent the proliferation of fungi, thus preventing the infection from spreading and promoting the healing of the most damaged areas.
It is best to crush about ten garlic cloves and add the paste to a container with warm water. Then, soak your feet for 15 minutes in the garlic water and, in the end, wash your feet with water and mild, antibacterial soap.
Tips to prevent foot fungus
- Wear shoes that allow your feet to breathe and stay well ventilated. Whenever possible, go for open shoes.
- Keep your feet dry, dry them very well after washing them, and do it frequently if you suffer from excessive sweating in the area.
- Moisturize your feet well every day by applying a moisturizer to prevent cracking.
- Wear bath sandals in changing rooms, swimming pools, and public showers.
- Use exclusive foot care towels and avoid sharing them with other people. Likewise, it is not convenient to use the towels of others.
- Wear cotton socks and change them frequently, especially if you notice that your feet are sweaty or damp.
This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in case of presenting any condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Home remedies for foot fungus, we recommend that you enter our Skin, hair, and nails category.
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.