Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection which usually occurs around the toes. It causes severe itching accompanied by the peeling and the cracking of the skin.
It causes toenails to discolor and become cracked as well. Unlike the name suggests, anyone can suffer from this nasty skin disease. However, men are more prone to falling prey to it as compared to women because they generally wear tighter, hard and closed shoes. While your dermatologist may prescribe you some topical creams or sprays, they will not be as effective upon your athlete’s foot as these natural remedies will be.
1. Kick Off Those Shoes (And Socks!)
One of the main reasons why your athlete’s foot is not healing is because you are not letting your feet breathe. Since this infection thrives on in a damp environment, they need as much air as possible to breathe. Wearing open toe shoes and sandals can solve your issues to a great extent. While your feet may look a little bit unappealing to the others, yet it is a sacrifice worth giving.
2. Soak Your Feet in Hydrogen Per Oxide
Hydrogen per oxide is known for its anti-fungal properties, so soaking your feet in it can be really beneficial. Take a pint of 3% of hydrogen per oxide and a gallon of distilled lukewarm water. Mix these two solutions together in a tub and soak your feet in it twice a day for 25 to 30 minutes.
One you take out your feet, make sure to pat them dry completely with a damp towel. After a few days of trying out this remedy, you will notice the fungus which is present on and around your nails falling off and your feet getting better than before.
3. Use Baking Soda
You can literally use baking soda all the time with this nasty infection. Simply sprinkle some of it on your feet or in your socks before wearing them. You can also scatter some in your shoes as well to reduce the intensity of the fungal infection.
You can also prepare a paste with baking soda and apply it on your feet.
Take 3 parts of baking soda for 1 part of cold water. Clean and pat dry your feet and apply the paste on them while moving your fingers in a circular motion. Leave it on until the paste gets completely dry. Wash your feet once again and pat them dry completely.
4. Massage Some Cornstarch
Since athlete’s foot thrives under wet conditions, using cornstarch for healing them is probably one of the best solutions ever. This is because cornstarch is proven to be as one of the best absorbents of moisturizers.
Take half cup to1 cup of corn starch and dry roast it in a pan until it becomes brown. Wash your feet and sprinkle the cornstarch on them. Leave it one 10 to 15 minutes and dust it off with a tissue paper.
5. Soak Your Feet in a PVPI Solution
PVPI or Povidone-Iodine solution is a chemical mixture which is highly effective against different bruises and wounds. It stops any kind of infection from spreading. It is also known to prevent the growth of any kind of existing bacteria. So whether you have got athlete’s foot, a yeast infection or a mold, a PVPI solution is the best treatment option available. However, you should not try this remedy if you are a pregnant or a lactating mother.
Take a large tub and fill it quarter way up with warm water. Add in 2 caps full of the PVPI solution and mix. Soak your feet in the solution twice a day, every time for no less than 20 minutes. Dry your feet dry with a clean towel.
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6. Maintain a Good Hygiene
No matter how many remedies you use, if you do not maintain good hygiene habits, then you are not likely to heal completely from your athlete’s foot.
For this purpose wash your feet with soap and pat it dry completely twice a day. You do not have to go and buy all those fancy soaps; a regular one would do a great job. Just never leave your skin wet, otherwise your infection will spread further.
7. Wash Your Feet with Lemon Juice
Athlete’s foot can make your feet stench. The smell can be quite unpleasant and it may annoy you a lot. For getting rid of the issue of your feet smelling really bad, dissolve half a cup of lemon juice in 10 cups of water. Soak your feet in this solution daily for 15 minutes. You can repeat this procedure twice a day.
8. Try Not to Spend the Infection
Athlete’s foot is highly contagious. It can actually spread like fire if you do not adopt proper measures. For this purpose always wash your hands after they come in contact with your feet. Always wash your socks after one wear. Keep your towels separate from the others. Also, wash them every other day to stop the infection from spreading. Keep your shoes in direct sunlight so that whatever dampness is present in them is removed.
