ATHLETES FOOT

ATHLETES FOOT

 

Athletes foot is a fungal infection on the foot, caused by fungus called dermatophytes. These fungi live on dead cells of the skin. Medical term for athlete's foot is Tines pedis. This infection occurs mainly between the toe fingers. It is a contagious skin infection.

 

Symptoms for Athletes foot

Itching between the toe fingers

Itching between the toe fingers is the most common symptom of athlete's foot. After sometimes moist and white lesions develop between the toe fingers. There may be burning sensation, blisters and inflammation. There may be pungent smell from the toe. There may be redness and scales on the toe.

Causes for Athletes foot

Growth of the fungus is the main cause

Moist and damp conditions are suitable for the growth of the fungus causing athlete's foot. They mostly occur on feet because shoes and commonly visited places like swimming pool, showers, bathrooms and so on provides the suitable environment for the fungus to grow. You can get infected by sharing socks or shoes with an infected person. Sometimes you may get infected through pets because they carry the fungus on their fur.

 

HOME REMEDIES FOR ATHLETE FOOT

Tea tree oil with antifungal properties

Prepare a solution of water and white vinegar – one part of white vinegar to four part of water; soak your feet for 20 to 30 minutes twice day. Sprinkle some baking soda between your toe fingers and rinse your feet after fifteen minutes. It is as effective as an expensive antifungal powder. Rub tea tree oil between your toe fingers, it has antifungal properties. For immediate relief from itching or burning, soak your feet in an antiseptic mouthwash like Listerine. Corn starch is effective in soaking moisture, so keep your toe fingers dry by sprinkling some corn starch on them.

 

Bath the feet thoroughly twice daily, dry them well, and rub away the loosened dead skin.

 

Wear light, airy shoes, especially during warm weather.

 

For severe infections use hot foot soaks of potassium permanganate solution. Dissolve one 5-grain tablet in a quart of warm water and soak the feet for twenty minutes tow or three times a day.

 

Put 40 drops of tea tree oil to a small amount of water and soak your feet in it for 10 minutes after dry feet with a towel to ensure that there is no moister is present this is important because the fungus may flourish under a toe nail that has not been completely dried. Place a few drops of oil on the area. This is one of the useful home remedies for athlete foot.

 

People with chronic or recurring athlete's foot should avoid excessive consumption of yeast products such as breads and other baked goods, as well as vinegar, and alcohol.

 

Take fresh garlic slices and put it in your shoes, wear it all day.

 

Soak feet in very warm water with about one part white vinegar to four parts water, for 20 - 30 minutes, 2 times a day, until the fungus is no longer visible and irritating.

 

Add 1 teaspoon of aloe Vera gel with 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric. Apply this mixture to the feet every morning and night and cover them with old socks.

 

Wear cotton socks, and change your socks daily. Don't wear tight, closed-toe shoes. Moisture and heat cause athlete's foot fungus to thrive. Don't go barefoot in public places. Wear flip-flops.

 

Use a foot powder to keep feet dry. Simple corn starch makes a good foot dusting powder.

Wash socks in the hot water setting of a washing machine.

 

Drink pau d'arco tea and soak your feet in a more concentrated form about 10 tea bags.

Rub diluted alcohol on the affected area and let it to be dry.

 

Another good home remedy for athlete foot is to prepare a solution of two tablespoons up to half a cup of laundry bleach to a gallon of warm water and soak your feet for 10-15 minutes twice a day. This should clear up athlete's foot in a week or ten days.

 

Wash the feet in a mild solution of boric acid. Mix six tablespoons of dried chaparral to one quart of boiling cheap whiskey or wine; reduce and simmer for 20 minutes; remove and steep for 8 hours. Soak your feet in this solution.

Boil 4 cups of water, add 8-10 broken sticks of  cinnamon, reduce heat to low and simmer for five minutes; remove and steep, covered, for 45 minutes. Use as a footbath. Cinnamon effectively combats both yeast and fungal infections. This is another very effective home remedy.

 

Boil a cup of water, add one ounce of chopped fresh ginger, and simmer for twenty minutes. Let it cool and apply to your feet twice a day.

 

Make an herbal tea footbath of goldenseal and thyme, or a half and half mixture of thyme and chamomile teas. Soak once a day.

 

Make a solution by adding 100 drops of grape fruit seed extract in two ounces of water and apply to the affected areas with a cotton ball two or three times a day. This is one of the best home remedies for athlete foot.

 

Raw honey rubbed on the infected areas before bedtime and left overnight has also been found to be effective. Cover the feet with an old sock.

 

Rub juice from Jewelweed, also known as impatiens or touch-me-not, on the infected area.

                               

Prepare a mixture by adding 1 tablespoon of neem oil with 1/2 cup of a carrier oil, such as olive or almond, and apply to the affected area twice a day.

 

Onion Juice is very effective and easy to  prepare home remedy. Apply onion juice twice daily.

 

Prepare a mixture of two teaspoons of salt to a pint of warm water. Soak your feet for 10-15  minutes and dry thoroughly. This is one of the important home remedies for athlete foot.

                               

Apply Vicks vapourub on the affected toes and  fingers at night before going to bed.

 

Diet for Athletes foot

Healthy and balanced diet

Avoid eating baked products and products that have high yeast content in them. Avoid alcohol, sugar, cola drinks and grains. Eat a healthy and a balanced diet, avoid processed foods. Your diet must include fresh fruits and green leafy vegetables. Avoid fried and greasy food. Garlic has a good antifungal property, eat raw garlic or include it in your diet.

Suggestions for Athletes foot

Natural fiber footwear should be used

Always keep your feet dry. Use hair dryer to dry your feet rather than towels. Use some antiperspirant to keep your toe fingers dry. Use antifungal powder rather than antifungal cream. Use cotton socks. Clean your shoes from inside using a paper or a cotton cloth. Use only natural fiber footwear. Use mild soaps and avoid deodorant soap.