Easy Ways to Treat & Avoid Athlete’s Foot

  The terms Athlete's foot may sound as something related to sports or fun but actually it is a fungal infection of the foot. Also known as ringworm of the foot or tinea pedis, caused by the fungus called Trichophyton.

Athlete's foot usually causes itching, pain, burning sensation, stinging and scaling of feet. skin on the foot results in red, dry, flaky in nature. Infection covers the area between the toes and the soles of the feet causing bad odor. Sometimes the affected skin becomes white, pale and wet. Blistering, flaking, cracking of the skin may occur which ultimately results in bleeding.

Why you get Athlete's foot?

Poor hygiene conditions are a perfect way for this fungus. In no time this fungus multiplies and invades the skin. Humid and warm places are favorable conditions for Trichophyton. When you are in constant touch with water like in showers, swimming pool etc Athlete's foot spreads easily. This infection makes the feet vulnerable to other skin infections making the situation even worse leading to complications.

How to prevent Athlete's foot?

Though Athlete's foot is treated in time it will return when the conditions are favorable. Try to follow simple steps to prevent yourself from this infection.

• ·         Wash lean your feet with soap and water
• ·         Make sure to keep your feet dry and clean.
• ·         Avoid wearing tight and closed shoes. Prefer ventilated shoes and cotton socks
• ·         Wash socks and shoes regularly.
• ·         Do not share towels, shoes. Sharing items may result in fast spreading of the disease.
• ·         do not walk around barefoot

Treatment for athlete's foot:

Though initial symptoms of athlete's foot seem to be mild, they can’t be ignored. With proper self care techniques and homemade remedies you can easily get rid of athlete's foot. The treatment is simple and can be easily carried out at home.

 

Cornstarch:

Moist feet often draw favorable conditions for fungus growth. In order to reduce the intensity of the infection, remove excess moisture and keep your feet dry.

Cornstarch has significant moisture absorbing nature.

You Need: Cornstarch powder

How to Use: Put or rub cornstarch powder on to your feet. Cover all the infected areas especially between the toes because toe webs retains moisture.

Povidone-iodine (PVPI):

Povidone-iodine is a stable chemical complex of polyvinylpyrrolidone and elemental iodine. It is used to treat infections in open wounds.

You Need: Povidone-iodine, lukewarm water, towel

How to Use: Mix one part of lukewarm water to two parts of Povidone-iodine. Soak your feet for 20 minutes. Ensure to dry them completely.

Hydrogen peroxide:

Hydrogen peroxide is a germicidal agent used to treat all kind of infections.

You Need: hydrogen peroxide, warm water

How to Use: All you have to do is mix one pint of hydrogen peroxide into 1 gallon of warm water. Soak for 30 minutes and then rinse off and dab with cloth to dry completely.

Baking soda:

You Need: Baking soda (bicarbonate of soda)

How to Use: Baking soda sprinkle baking soda inside your shoes each night. This will help to dry up any moisture – something fungus needs to thrive.

Another home remedy, said to work as well as expensive anti-fungal powders is baking soda. Sprinkle baking soda between your toes and rinse after 20 to 30 minutes and then carefully dry.

lemon:

You Need: lemon juice

How to Use: Athletes foot often results in bad odor. Rinse your feet with a lemon juice extract daily to reduce or minimize unpleasant odor.

Vinegar:

It is the most inexpensive and natural remedy to treat athlete's foot. Its anti fungal property is attributed to its acidic nature that kills the fungus

You Need: vinegar, water

How to Use: To one part of vinegar add four parts of water. Mix thoroughly and soak the affected feet for about 10 – 15 minutes. Remove your feet, clean and dry them.

Tea tree:

Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) has antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties.  Tea tree oil is an essential oil extracted from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia.

It can be applied directly on to the skin without diluting it. Daily apply Tea tree oil to the affected area. Continue to apply it for two to three weeks until the symptoms disappear.

Grapefruit-seed extract:

Grapefruit-seed extract is the best remedy of choice to treat Athlete's foot. It has vital antifungal effects.

You Need: grapefruit-seed extract

How to Use: You can either prepare extract at home or but it at health food stores. Apply the extract thrice in a day to the affected area.

 

Lavender and peppermint oils: 

These essential oils are helpful in eradication of athlete's foot. Both Peppermint oil and lavender oil exhibits excellent antifungal, anti-inflammatory, pain relieving properties.

You Need: Peppermint oil, lavender oil, golden jojoba

How to Use: Mix required equal proportions of Peppermint oil and lavender oil and gently massage onto your affected feet. You can even mix this mixture with golden jojoba and add to your hot bath.