Do not misunderstand that athlete’s foot is a disease occurring only among athletes. The condition has its name due to the fungus that causes it is found where athletes often are such as public showers, pools, and other moist environments, etc.
Causes of Athlete’s Foot
In simple words, athlete’s foot is the most common type of tiena infection, which affects the skin of the feet. Specifically, the condition occurs when there is a certain yeast or fungus growing on the skin of the feet. Asides from the favorite environment of fungus, direct contact or personal items of patients with athlete’s foot can also make you catch the disease. There are some other factors that can increase your risk of getting athlete’s foot, including wet feet in long periods, excessive sweating, and a minor injury in feet or nail [1][2].
Symptoms of Athlete’s Foot
The most obvious symptoms of athlete’s foot include peeling and flaking skin in your feet, especially between the toes, itching, blister, redness, burning sensation, etc. If the fungus affects your nails, they tend to become thicker and discolored.
Without spending tons of money on medical treatments, you can easily alleviate the symptoms and completely get rid of the disease thanks to natural ingredients.
Here are top 10 handy tips on home remedies for athlete’s foot that will surprise you with their amazing effects…
1. Salt
Salt has been well known for its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory properties, which makes it a trusted ingredient used in various treatments for fungal infections. Additionally, salt is easily absorbed by the skin so that the magnesium as well as sulfate can penetrate and eliminate the toxic chemicals caused by the fungus [3].
In this case, salt becomes an excellent ingredient for you to apply as an athlete’s foot home remedy.
Dissolve some salt in warm water then soak your feet in it for 10 minutes. Finally, let the feet dry naturally. Do this remedy at least twice a day to quickly improve the condition.
To learn more other benefits of salt, read also Home Remedies for Abscess Tooth.
2. Garlic
The spice has been long used not only in culinary but also to treat various ailments and diseases. Undoubtedly, it is what you need for how to cure athlete’s foot. Also, by adding more garlic in your daily meal, you can help increase the immune system and reduce the risk of developing other health problems [4].
Use some garlic cloves to extract their juice by crushing them. Apply the juice directly onto your feet. Since it will cause you a little burning sensation, you can avoid it by mixing it with some water and soak your feet in the solution. Finally, wash off your feet with water and let it dry naturally.
To learn more other benefits of garlic, read also How To Get Rid Of High Cortisol.
3. Onion
Onion has been found with powerful antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. For that reason, onion becomes a trusted companion of people in how to cure athlete’s foot and other infectious diseases. Besides applying onion for your feet, you should also add more of it into your daily meal to increase immunity [5].
Crush an onion to get its juice. Use the juice to apply directly on the affected skin after washing the area carefully. After 30 minutes, wash off your feet with tepid water. Let the feet dry naturally. Make sure you follow this remedy several times a day to quickly get rid of fungus.
4. Green Tea
Green tea is produced by steaming fresh leaves from the plants, thus the ingredient can remain very fresh and nutritious. It has been confirmed that green tea is able to prevent and treat a numerous types of cancer, aid weight loss, reduce cholesterol, etc. Besides, it is extremely beneficial for your skin thanks to antioxidant, anti-inflammatory properties. By consuming green tea, you are fighting back free radicals causing aging signs. Meanwhile, by applying it topically on the skin, you can help treat sunburn and eliminate fungus. This is the reason why the green tea should be on our list of home remedies for athlete’s foot [6].
Put a bag of green tea into hot water. Let it steep for some minutes then strain. After the water cools down that you can endure the heat, soak your feet in there for 20-30 minutes. Finally, let your feet dry naturally.
5. Baking Soda
If you are looking for simple and effective athlete’s foot home remedy, try baking soda. The ingredient has been confirmed to have antiseptic property, which can eliminate the fungus and yeast [7].
Cleanse your feet and let it dry naturally. Make a paste from baking soda and a little water then apply it directly on your feet. Leave it for 15 minutes then wash off with tepid water.
To learn more other benefits of baking soda, read also Home Remedies for Acid Reflux.
6. Yogurt
Yogurt can be used both externally and internally. When yogurt is consumed internally, it is able to reinforce the immunity, improve digestion and so on. At the same time, if you use yogurt for topical application, it can inhibit the development of fungus or yeast as well as speed up healing of the skin. As a result, yogurt gains a spot on the list of home remedies for athlete’s foot [8].
Dip a cotton swab in to plain, unsweetened yogurt. Directly apply it onto the affected skin and let it sit on for a few minutes. Finally, rinse off the area with some warm water. Do this 2-3 times daily until you see improvement.
7. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is another ample source of antibacterial and antiseptic properties that you consider to use for how to get rid of athlete’s foot. This is a common solution used for skin infection [9].
Wash your feet, especially the affected area, carefully then let it dry naturally. Mix tea tree oil with a few drops of coconut oil or olive oil then apply directly on your feet. Leave it for some minutes before washing off with lukewarm water.
8. Olive Leaves
Another ingredient you can make use of in athlete’s foot home remedies is olive leaf because of its antifungal quality [10].
Take some fresh olive leaves to wash and grind into a paste. Apply the paste directly on the affected area. Finally, wash off your feet with lukewarm water.
With this simple tip, you will soon see the improvement of your condition.
9. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a so familiar ingredient in our pantry, but not many people can make full use of this liquid. Besides culinary, apple cider vinegar can be used in various treatments, especially for skin problems thanks to its antiseptic property. Additionally, the vinegar is able to increase our immunity to fight against the athlete’s foot.
10. Calendula
Being on the list of home remedies for athlete’s foot, calendula possesses a capacity of easing the pain as well as itchiness caused by athlete’s foot [10].
Put some dried calendula flowers into hot water and leave it for some minutes. Strain the liquid then use it to soak your feet. Finally, rinse off your feet with clean water after 15-30 minutes.