A relation of ours has a reoccurring problem with athlete’s foot. Now for those of you who don’t know, it isn’t only athletes that are prone to this fungal infection. The symptoms of this uncomfortable condition range from itching between the toes and in more serious cases, broken inflamed skin around the feet. The condition is highly infectious and can sometimes spread to the hands and face. It is usually picked up in swimming pool changing rooms and sports changing areas. The fungus thrives in warm, humid places so it isn’t long before the rest of the family start itching, as the bathroom floor can be a perfect breeding ground. We’ve been looking into a few natural remedies if you don’t fancy using the chemicals from the chemist.
PREVENTIONOne of the most important things to do to combat athlete's foot is to keep the feet dry at all times. The fungus needs moisture to grow. After drying your feet, scrape away the loose skin to allow any medication to penetrate the infected area.
• Firstly, do not use cornstarch, or baking soda in your shoes and socks to keep your feet dry, it could make them itchier.
• Wear absorbent socks, preferably cotton, and wash them in hot water with Ecover bleach.
• Keep your shoes well ventilated, and give them ample time to dry before wearing again.
• Open-toed sandals are good to wear as they allow the feet to dry.
• To avoid re-infection, wipe white vinegar on the inside of the shoes and allow to dry.
• Antiperspirants may also be used on your feet to keep down the sweating. Use a natural one from the health shop
• Dry your feet thoroughly after a shower either with a towel or hair dryer.
• Sometimes people who have had antibiotics contract athlete's foot. The antibiotics can compromise the immune system by killing the good bacteria with the bad, leaving the person susceptible to infection. Without the good bacteria, the intestines can't synthesize the B vitamins, which help enhance the immune system. To remedy this situation, eat several servings of yogurt with live cultures daily and take a high dosage of the B vitamins to help fight the infection.
REMEDIES
Aloe Vera Apply aloe vera gel to the effected parts, twice daily
Apple cider vinegar Soak your feet in a 50/50 mixture of apple cider vinegar and water for ten minutes daily up to ten days or until symptoms disappear. This will relieve the itching and peeling of athlete's foot.
• Soak a cotton ball in vinegar, coat the fungus and let dry. Apple cider vinegar has anti-fungal properties.
PREVENTIONOne of the most important things to do to combat athlete's foot is to keep the feet dry at all times. The fungus needs moisture to grow. After drying your feet, scrape away the loose skin to allow any medication to penetrate the infected area.
• Firstly, do not use cornstarch, or baking soda in your shoes and socks to keep your feet dry, it could make them itchier.
• Wear absorbent socks, preferably cotton, and wash them in hot water with Ecover bleach.
• Keep your shoes well ventilated, and give them ample time to dry before wearing again.
• Open-toed sandals are good to wear as they allow the feet to dry.
• To avoid re-infection, wipe white vinegar on the inside of the shoes and allow to dry.
• Antiperspirants may also be used on your feet to keep down the sweating. Use a natural one from the health shop
• Dry your feet thoroughly after a shower either with a towel or hair dryer.
• Sometimes people who have had antibiotics contract athlete's foot. The antibiotics can compromise the immune system by killing the good bacteria with the bad, leaving the person susceptible to infection. Without the good bacteria, the intestines can't synthesize the B vitamins, which help enhance the immune system. To remedy this situation, eat several servings of yogurt with live cultures daily and take a high dosage of the B vitamins to help fight the infection.
REMEDIES
Aloe Vera Apply aloe vera gel to the effected parts, twice daily
Apple cider vinegar Soak your feet in a 50/50 mixture of apple cider vinegar and water for ten minutes daily up to ten days or until symptoms disappear. This will relieve the itching and peeling of athlete's foot.
• Soak a cotton ball in vinegar, coat the fungus and let dry. Apple cider vinegar has anti-fungal properties.
Baking soda Soak the feet in a solution of baking soda and water for about 30 minutes daily. This will change the pH of the skin. Also sprinkle baking soda on the feet and in your shoes and socks. It will soak up some of the perspiration and help neutralize the skin at the same time.
Cinnamon Another kitchen medicinal remedy uses cinnamon. Bring 4 cups of water to a boil, add 8-10 broken sticks of cinnamon, reduce heat to low and simmer for five minutes; remove and steep, covered, for 45 minutes. Use as a footbath. Cinnamon effectively combats both yeast and fungal infections.
Ginger has strong anti-fungal properties. Boil a cup of water, add one ounce of chopped fresh ginger, and simmer for twenty minutes. Let it cool and apply to your feet twice a day.
Honey Raw honey rubbed on the infected areas before bedtime and left overnight has also been found to be effective. Cover the feet with an old sock.
Onion Juice Apply onion juice twice daily.
Salt A mixture of two teaspoons of salt to a pint of warm water is another good soaking solution. Soak your feet for 10-15 minutes and dry thoroughly. The salt kills the fungus and reduces perspiration.
Tea tree oil derived from the leaves of the native Australian Melaleuca alternifolia tree, contains antiseptic compounds that are a very effective skin disinfectant. Depending on severity, use 5-15% solutions daily, diluting the tea tree oil with olive oil. Rubbing some on the affected area with a cotton ball several times a day for three to five days should eliminate the problem.
Environmental.
Cinnamon Another kitchen medicinal remedy uses cinnamon. Bring 4 cups of water to a boil, add 8-10 broken sticks of cinnamon, reduce heat to low and simmer for five minutes; remove and steep, covered, for 45 minutes. Use as a footbath. Cinnamon effectively combats both yeast and fungal infections.
Ginger has strong anti-fungal properties. Boil a cup of water, add one ounce of chopped fresh ginger, and simmer for twenty minutes. Let it cool and apply to your feet twice a day.
Honey Raw honey rubbed on the infected areas before bedtime and left overnight has also been found to be effective. Cover the feet with an old sock.
Onion Juice Apply onion juice twice daily.
Salt A mixture of two teaspoons of salt to a pint of warm water is another good soaking solution. Soak your feet for 10-15 minutes and dry thoroughly. The salt kills the fungus and reduces perspiration.
Tea tree oil derived from the leaves of the native Australian Melaleuca alternifolia tree, contains antiseptic compounds that are a very effective skin disinfectant. Depending on severity, use 5-15% solutions daily, diluting the tea tree oil with olive oil. Rubbing some on the affected area with a cotton ball several times a day for three to five days should eliminate the problem.
Environmental.
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