Athlete’s Foot

home remedies for athletes foot

Athlete’s Foot is basically a fungal infection of the skin. (It can also be known as tinea pedis or ringworm – if spread to other places on the body). It is highly contagious and is usually picked up in moist environments from others who had been infected. This most often occurs in places where people often walk barefoot such as showers, gym locker rooms, bath houses etc.

While the remedies below are usually effective, if your Athlete’s Foot lasts for any significant amount of time, worsens, or spreads to other parts of your body, a store bought topical solution or doctor visit might be required to get rid of it.

Possible Causes of Athlete‘s Foot,

Athlete’s Foot is a communicable disease that is usually transmitted in moist environments. The most common ways that people can pick it up include:

* Walking barefoot in moist environments
* Bath Houses
* Showers
* Locker Rooms
* Shared Footwear with an infected person
* Shared Towels

Possible Symptoms of Athlete’s Foot,

*Scaling, Flaking and/or Itching of Foot
*Blisters on Foot or Feet
*Cracked Skin on Feet
*Exposed Raw Tissue

Home Remedies for Athlete‘s Foot

Try Baking Soda

Make a paste by combining some baking soda with a little water. Apply this paste over affected area, including between your toes. Let the paste sit for about five minutes, then wash clean and dry well.

Blow Drier

After drying your feet with a towel turn the blow drier on them, especially between toes to dry up any missed moisture.

Corn Starch

Sprinkling some corn starch in your shoes and on your feet will absorb moisture and will reduce friction.

Diaper Rash Ointment

Diaper Rash ointments that contain zinc oxide works extremely well for healing athletes foot. Simply apply ointment to affected areas and continue to use until fungus disappears.

Peppermint Soap

Washing with Peppermint soap can also help cure Athlete’s Foot. Try soaping up your feet with the Peppermint soap, then drying feet really well. Follow up by dashing some of the soap on affected areas (like it was a lotion).

Preparation H

Preparation H works well for soothing and relieving the itchiness of athlete’s foot. Simply slather some of ointment on affected areas.

Salt Water

Plain and simple. Fungus does not like salt water. You can either use Epsom salt or a table salt such as Morton or Diamond Crystal salt. Simply dissolve 8 teaspoons of salt in about one quart of warm water and soak feet for approximately 10 minutes at a time. Do this every day until fungus disappears.

Talcum Powder

Talcum Powder is very effective in preventing and/or curing Athletes’ Foot. Simply apply powder to toes, socks and/or shoes (if you are not going to be wearing socks). The powder will help keep feet dry and fungus free.

Mixed Reviews

Here are two other home remedies for Athlete’s Foot but they come with mixed reviews. Some swear by them, while others say it was not very effective. Either remedy however can be tried in a pinch (for example late at night if itchy feet are keeping you awake). Be sure that you do not have open cuts when using these remedies however because it might burn slightly.


The antiseptic in Listerine will kill foot fungus, but there is a chance it will burn as well. If you have a lot of open sores on skin you might want to brace yourself before using this one.

White Vinegar or Apple Cider Vinegar

Try soaking your feet in white or apple cider vinegar for approximately 10 minutes 3 or 4 times a day for several weeks. The acidity in the vinegar kills bacteria and fungi.

Diluted Bleach

This is another “old fashioned” remedy that many grandmothers swear by, but again be sure not to have any open cuts on feet before using. Dilute one half cup of bleach in a gallon of water and soak your feet in the solution at least twice a day until the infection is gone. Supposedly the chlorine in the bleach is what kills the athlete foot fungus.

When To See a Doctor

As mentioned above, if the condition does not improve or seems to worsen, a doctor’s visit might be in order. You should consider seeing a doctor if the following occurs:

* You have a fever of 100 degrees or higher and there is not another known cause
* You have Diabetes. (Due to poorer circulation people who have * Diabetes have an increased risk of getting a more severe bacterial infection.)
* Feet have severe scaling, peeling skin or cracking
* You have blisters
* Increased swelling, tenderness, redness, pain or the area feels hot
* There is a discharge of pus.
* You notice red streaks that extend out from the affected area
* The infection appears to be spreading instead of healing
* Symptoms do not improve after 2 weeks or have not diappeared after 4 weeks using an antifungal medicine.


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Alternative Remedies
