Athlete’s foot – also known as tinea pedis – is a common infection caused by fungi of the Trichophyton genus. As the name suggests, this infection affects the foot. The fungi are transmitted in moist, communal area like the public swimming pool or the locker room.
When the fungi come in contact with the feet, it causes an infection. Infection will start on the toes and will spread to other parts of the body. The fungi will live in dead skin layers and destroy the keratin in the nails.
Symptoms include intense itchiness, inflammation, skin fissures, and lesions. The scaly lesions will ooze a clear liquid. Athlete’s foot can be spread directly or indirectly. Infected dead skin cells fall from the body, spreading to one’s environment. This could lead to an outbreak. So if there’s an infection, do not borrow other people’s shoes or towels.
Treatment is also important to contain the infection. Below are some of the most effective home remedies against athlete’s foot:
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is nature’s most powerful remedy against all types of infections. To treat athlete’s foot using tea tree oil, add several drops of the stuff to your foot bath water. Soak your feet for at least 10 minutes. After soaking, pat the feet dry and then drop a couple of tea tree oil directly in between the toes. Tea tree oil will kill the fungus especially in heavily infected areas. It will stop the infection from spreading to other parts of the body.
Apple Cider Vinegar and Salt
To kill the fungus that causes athlete’s foot, you have to raise the acidity level of its environment. You can do that by soaking your feet in apple cider vinegar with salt. Add the mixture to your foot soak and soak the feet for at least 15 minutes twice per day. You can also prepare the mixture and put it in a spritz bottle. You can spray the solution directly on dry feet. Make sure to pat dry after saturating the feet with apple cider vinegar and salt for several minutes. Spritz the solution on the insides of shoes, sandals and clothing to eliminate the fungus. Wipe these items dry.
Just like tea tree oil, garlic contains potent antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral and antiseptic properties. To use garlic to treat athlete’s foot, crush several pieces of it and place it directly between the toes. Leave it there for an hour or more. You can also eliminate the infection by eating fresh garlic or taking garlic supplements.
Ozonated Olive Oil
Ozonated olive oil is typical olive oil that went through the process of ozone injection. To use ozonated olive oil to treat athlete’s foot, saturate a cotton swab with the oil. Apply the oil directly to the affected area morning and night. The infection should clear up within a week or less.
Cornstarch or Baking Soda
Fungus thrives in moist environments so to treat athlete’s foot, keep the skin free from moisture. You can do this by applying a liberal amount of cornstarch or baking soda. The powder effectively absorbs the moisture. However, cornstarch and baking soda won’t eliminate itchiness.