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You
don’t have to be an athlete to get athletes foot. Officially known as “tinea
pedis,” this uncomfortable condition is a fungal infection that typically
causes itchiness between and around toes, scaly or cracked/peeling patches of
skin, dryness on the bottoms or sides of feet, and thick, ragged, and/or
discolored toenails.
More
likely to affect men than women, it thrives in a damp environment, and thick,
tight, shoes. When your toes are pressed together (usually by shoes) it creates
a warm moist area between them that is extremely appealing to the mold-like
fungi that causes athletes foot.
To sum
it up…it’s very unpleasant to deal with. To help you feel comfortable kicking
off your socks, and to spare you chemical-laden creams, here are some natural
ways to let fungus know it’s not welcome on your feet.
Below
are 8 effective ways you can use to treat and avoid athlete’s foot
1. Rub on corn starch
Corn
starch can help you to treat and avoid athlete’s foot, because it absorbs
moisture like nobody’s business. If you brown the corn starch first so much the
better, as that sucks out any moisture that may have been present in it before.
You will need…
-Roughly ½ cup corn starch
-Warm water
-Mild soap
-A clean soft towel
-An oven or stovetop (optional)
Directions
Preheat your oven to 325 degrees. Pour a ½ cup of corn starch, or enough to cover both of your feet when rubbed on, onto a plate and pop in the preheated oven. Bake for only a few minutes, or until it takes on a light brownish color.
If
you prefer, you can pour some corn starch into a small cooking pot and heat on
a stovetop BREIFLY and stirring constantly until it browns slightly. Always
keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn’t burn.
Rub
the corn starch onto your feet and toes. Leave on for 5-10 minutes, and brush
off with a clean towel. Wash your hands after applying and after brushing off.
2. Let them breathe!
To
treat and avoid athlete’s foot you need to remember that a warm, moist,
environment attracts fungi. Go barefoot when you’re not in a moist environment,
and if possible when going out where sandals or open-toed shoes.
You
may not be keen on the idea of flaunting your feet if they look less-than-appealing,
but it may be worth it if it means healing them up faster.
3. Use a PVPI soak
Povidone-iodine
(PVPI) is more commonly known by its main brand name, Betadine. It is a
chemical complex used to treat and prevent infection in wounds.
It
is also used for the prevention and treatment of skin infections, and is an
effective bactericide. Expanding from that, it is helpful to combat yeasts,
molds, and fungi, among other things.
The
key word here is fungi-like the kind causing your athlete’s foot. Soaking your
feet in Betadine can help get rid of it.
Note: If you are pregnant, do
not attempt this remedy.
You will need…
-Poviodone-iodine (or PVPI)
-A large bowl or basin
-Warm water
-Clean towel
-Hairdryer (optional)
Directions
Fill a bowl or basin large enough to comfortably soak your feet with one quart of warm water, and add 2 capfuls of PVPI into it.
Soak
your feet 2 times day for 20 minutes each (a total of 40 minutes a day) and
make sure to dry them completely afterwards.
4. Dunk them in hydrogen
peroxide
Hydrogen
peroxide is ideal for killing off bacteria and fungus, so soaking your feet in
it can help clear up the little buggers that are making you so dang
uncomfortable.
It
will also help with any fungus that may be clinging around or under your nail
as well. Just remember that it can sting, and this may be especially true if
you have cracked skin.
You will need…
-1 pint 3% hydrogen peroxide
-1 gallon of clean, distilled water
-Spray bottle (optional)
Directions
Mix one pint of 3% hydrogen peroxide into 1 gallon of clean, lukewarm water. Soak for 20-30 minutes morning and night daily as needed to clear up your athlete’s foot. Let air dry or rinse off and dry completely.
Make
sure you’re using 3% hydrogen peroxide (food grade) which is mainly what is
sold in stores. More concentrated forms don’t equal wiping out the fungus any
faster and may be harmful to the skin.
In
fact, 90% hydrogen peroxide is used to produce rocket fuel, which is not what
you want on your feet!
5. Simply soap & dry
Hygiene
plays a large part in whether or not you get athlete’s foot, as does drying
them off afterwards. Washing your feet daily helps rid your skin of fungus,
while drying it thoroughly ensures that it won’t come back or worsen.
You will need…
-Plain old hand soap
-Water
-Towel
-Hairdryer (optional)
Directions
To treat and avoid athlete’s foot, you need to thoroughly wash your feet with soap and water, twice a day, making sure to get between your toes. When you’re done, dry them off. Moist means fungus. Use a soft clean towel, and again, get between your toes.
Because
athlete’s foot is contagious don’t use the same towel, or make sure it’s been
washed in extra-hot water after every use.
If
your feet stubbornly want to stay damp you can try gently drying them with a
hairdryer, which can get rid of that little bit of wetness the towel couldn’t.
Make sure it is on the “warm” or even “cold” setting, and don’t overdo it.
6. Soda for your shoes
Baking
soda can also help to treat and avoid athlete’s foot because it kills bacteria
and works well as an antifungal agent. Sprinkle some in your shoes after
wearing them, or create a paste and rub onto your feet.
You will need…
-3 parts baking soda
-1 part cool water
Directions
Wash your feet with water and dry completely. Mix 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water, or until a thick paste forms. Rub onto your feet in a gentle circular motion, being sure to get between your toes.
Let
it dry and slough mostly off. Run your feet under cool water and make sure to
dry them completely again.
7. Spread the word, not the
‘foot
Athlete’s
foot is contagious and if you have it, you know how unpleasant it is. Keep it
from spreading to others, or from spreading it back to yourself, by following
some simple suggestions.
-Wash
your hands with soap and water after coming in contact with an infected area
-After bathing wash out the tub or shower with an antiseptic cleaner
-Don’t share towels, and keep all towels and linens clean
-If you are going to be using a public shower, wear sandals
-Wash your socks in extra-hot water, and never re-wear the same pair of socks without out washing them first.
-Alternate your shoes every other day. If your feet have been in a pair, the fungus is in there too. Treat them with an antiseptic spray. If your feet sweat a lot, swap out pairs multiple times a day.
-After bathing wash out the tub or shower with an antiseptic cleaner
-Don’t share towels, and keep all towels and linens clean
-If you are going to be using a public shower, wear sandals
-Wash your socks in extra-hot water, and never re-wear the same pair of socks without out washing them first.
-Alternate your shoes every other day. If your feet have been in a pair, the fungus is in there too. Treat them with an antiseptic spray. If your feet sweat a lot, swap out pairs multiple times a day.
8. Lemon rinse for odor
Another
way to treat and avoid athlete’s foot is by rinsing your feet with a lemon
juice/ water mixture can help minimize any odor or unpleasant smell that your
feet may be emitting as a result of athletes foot.
You will need…
-1/2 cup lemon juice
-10 cups of tepid water
Directions
Soak your feet for 10-15 minutes once or twice a day to minimize odor.
Feet
are important, to make an understatement. We use them a lot and if they aren’t
comfortable, it’s almost a guarantee you won’t be comfortable either.
Not
to mention that-even if they weren’t all that important- there are few things
more infuriating than when they itch inside your shoe. Then you either have to
stomp on your own foot to relieve the itch, or pull your whole shoe off.
To
maintain your sanity, and feel better, remember that a little bit of daily
dedication with simple home remedies can be enough to help you put your best
foot forward (and keep your shoe on.)
By Claire Goodall
(a bee-obsessed natural-convert from Minnesota) who is a holistic health lover.
She is the author of Everyday Roots Book.
It's a Book that
she creates to help you replace the toxic products and medications in your home
with healthier, all-natural alternatives.
It contains 215+
effective home remedies and covers everything you will need to protect your
family and save money every month.
