Walk barefoot on the Earth as much as possible! If you have a condition that causes excessive sweating, like hyperhidrosis, your healthcare provider will offer additional treatment for your sweating to prevent pitted keratolysis from returning in the future. She has been educated in both psychology and journalism, and her dual education has given her the research and writing skills needed to deliver sound and engaging content in the health space. This article discusses treatment options for athlete's foot. No one ever gets foot fungus when their feet can breathe. Can Athlete's Foot Spread to Other Parts of the Body? https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470421/, Hygiene-related diseases. However, vinegar has antifungal properties and is unlikely to cause negative effects. You may notice the blisters caused by athletes foot are elevated from your skin and filled with liquid. Men are more likely to contract athletes foot as are those with certain health conditions, such as diabetes and eczema. If you work in an environment where youre on your feet all day, choose shoes with good ventilation to improve how much air reaches your feet. Home remedies. Athletes foot is a common skin condition, but not all cases result in blisters. To try this remedy, mix iodine solution and hydrogen peroxide in a bucket or large bowl. To get more information or amend your preferences, press the more information button or visit "Cookie Settings" at the bottom of the website. Treatment of interdigital tinea pedis with 25% and 50% tea tree oil solution: A randomized, placebo-controlled, blinded study [Abstract]. Oral antifungals may be required to help treat athletes foot. You may get blisters from athletes foot if your feet come into contact with a certain type of fungus. The development or spread of athletes foot can commonly occur in: There are various treatment options available for people with athletes foot, including home remedies and medication. To use garlic to treat athletes foot, crush four to five cloves of garlic. Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. Never walk barefoot in public places. A doctor may prescribe antifungal creams or medicines if the infection does not respond to at-home treatments. All goods and services are offered by donation to our cause. Mix 1/4 cup hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup baking soda, and 1/4 cup water in a bowl. You can make a vinegar foot soak by combining 1 part vinegar and 2 parts warm water in a bucket. If you think you have athletes foot and it hasnt subsided after a week of home treatment, make an appointment to see your doctor. 35% Food Grade Hydrogen Peroxide has an incredible number of healthful uses in the body and around the home! Or, in warmer weather, wear open shoes or sandals to increase airflow to the feet. After you spray or wipe off the sole of your shoe, allow it to stay wet with the product for about three to five minutes or follow the instructions on the label. Notice skin peeling between your toes? The peroxide solution should be no more than one part hydrogen peroxide to three parts warm water. Niehaus S. (2017). Athletes foot is a contagious fungal infection that causes an itchy rash on your feet. Athlete's foot hydrogen peroxide treatment. Try one of these 12 great options. (2015). DOI: Zubko EI, et al. It could take between two to three days before you start to feel better. Athletes foot responds well to home treatments like tea tree oil, neem oil, and hydrogen peroxide. We're going to share just one amazing use for 35% Food Grade Hydrogen Peroxide in this post: HEAL ATHLETE'S FOOT! It is important for people to treat a persistent case of athletes foot because the fungus can spread to the nails, other body parts, and other people. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved, Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. While this contagious skin condition can be uncomfortable and unsightly, athletes foot is nothing to be ashamed of. All rights reserved. Rub Vicks on the affected area every night, massaging it into the foot. These medications fall into the antifungals category. Iodine solution is available at most drugstores in the wound care section. 5. Tea tree oil comes from the leaves of the tea tree, commonly found in Australia. In combination with salt, essential oils are even more effective. Hydrogen peroxide can effectively kill the fungus on the surface level of the foot, as well as any surface bacteria that could cause an infection. You can apply the neem oil (or extract) directly to the affected area two to three times a day, massaging it into the skin. Mayo Clinic Staff. Athletes foot is caused by a type offungus known as dermatophyte. Athletes foot is an itchy fungal infection that causes a scaly rash on the skin of the feet. (2017, February 6). For best results, apply daily for up to a month. Spread the paste evenly on the feet and in between your toes. Synthetic materials or blended materials in socks can restrict airflow to your feet. Apply the mixture on the affected area using a cotton ball. We avoid using tertiary references. allowing your feet to breathe by going barefoot when you can, wearing different shoes each day to dry out each pair thoroughly before wearing again, wearing cotton socks and changing them a few times a day if your feet get sweaty, wearing flip-flops or rubber sandals when using public showers, or when walking on other wet surfaces like swimming pool decks, your condition doesnt improve after treating symptoms at home, blisters cause pain when you stand or walk or interfere with your daily activities, blisters worsen or appear to be pus-filled, you have repeated occurrences of athletes foot. Process 2: Baking Soda Rub. If you take an antibiotic and dont see an improvement in your symptoms after a week, talk to your healthcare provider. In general, rubbing alcohol is a better option for your skin. Garlic: A review of potential therapeutic effects. Garlic (. Learn how to lower your risk, A new study found that longer siestas or naps of 30 minutes or more were more closely tied to increases in indicators of poorer health. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Tea tree oil has antibacterial and antifungal properties and can be used to treat various mild skin infections. Both neem oil and neem leaf extracts have incredible antifungal capabilities that can help fight athletes foot. 5 minute read; . If you find that one method works better for you than another, stick with that. For example, rubber boots dont offer sufficient airflow. Pour hydrogen peroxide directly onto the affected area. These include cookies that allow you to be remembered as you explore the site within a single session or, if you request, from session to session. Garlic may have a strong scent, but it can be an effective topical treatment for athletes foot. There are many effective home remedies for athletes foot, including hydrogen peroxide, tea tree oil, neem oil, and OTC antifungal medications. Like hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol can help kill off the fungus thats on the surface level of the skin. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Peroxide may sting if the skin is broken or irritated, and it can bleach hair and fabrics. Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. Although very different, these two conditions can impact each, At-home STI testing kits are becoming increasingly popular. 1. Well also go over how to prevent athletes foot, the causes and symptoms, and when to seek medical care. One study found that solutions containing 25 percent and 50 percent tea tree oil worked significantly better than a placebo in relieving athletes foot between the toes. Common places for athletes foot fungus to live are pool areas, public bathrooms, and locker rooms. Anyone can get athletes foot, and the following are common sources of transmission: You may be more likely to develop athletes foot if you: Athletes foot causes some common symptoms: Athletes foot can develop into a recurring infection if you do not address the source of it and clean surfaces to ensure that you do not reinfect yourself. Hydrogen peroxide. 2018;1:CD010863. The time it takes to cure athlete's foot will vary depending on how severe it is. Usually the liquid inside the blisters isnt problematic, especially if its clear. What is the fastest way to cure athlete's foot? But if you have a pair of white canvas sneakers, itll leave them looking bright white and good as new. Alternatively, tea tree oil creams and salves may be available at health food stores. 4. See your doctor if your blisters cause discomfort or pain that interferes with your lifestyle. The fungus that causes the infection will continue to grow and multiply causing the infection to spread. K Health articles are all written and reviewed by MDs, PhDs, NPs, or PharmDs and are for informational purposes only. These medications are prescribed by a healthcare provider and should be taken if a person: If at-home treatment isn't working and your infection persists or worsens, contact your healthcare provider for an appointment. Co-operative inhibitory effects of hydrogen peroxide and iodine against bacterial and yeast species. This is especially true if you have signs of a secondary bacterial infection, which can be more dangerous in those with diabetes due to their nerve damage. Tea tree oil: Studies have shown that tea tree oil can effectively heal an athlete's foot infection, especially if the particular fungus causing it is the Trichophyton rubrum fungus. Vicks VapoRub contains eucalyptus and menthol, two ingredients that have antifungal properties. However, you can also use hydrogen peroxide and baking soda to get rid of fungus from athletes foot. Antifungal activity of nanocapsule suspensions containing tea tree oil on the growth of Trichophyton rubrum. 3. Some treatments involve mixing sea salt with other natural treatments, like vinegar, to make a sort of paste. Whiten your laundry loads with a 1/2 cup of hydrogen peroxide added in with your regular laundry detergent. Your doctor will likely be able to diagnose athletes foot just by looking at it. Or try a sanitising mat with a disinfectant solution to clean the bottom of your shoes. Baking soda is an item most people have readily available. To get more information about these cookies and the processing of your personal data, check our, You can always change your preference by visiting the "Cookie Settings" at the bottom of the page. Your healthcare provider will offer treatment to make the bacteria that cause pits in your feet go away, which will ease your fear. In this article, well explore 11 home remedies for athletes foot. A Listerine foot soak is a type of at-home foot bath. There are some home-based treatments you may want to try for athlete's foot, including hydrogen peroxide and tea tree oil. Amber Listerine and White Vinegar for Nail Fungus: . Learn how to lower your risk, Hyperglycemia refers to high blood sugar, while hyponatremia means low blood sodium. Stop using it immediately if you develop redness, pain, burning, or irritation. Use a 3% solution, as the stronger preparations are less safe and may cause skin reactions. If you try home care for athletes foot but it does not improve after a week, see a medical provider, especially if you have diabetes or other conditions that weaken your immune system. After the soak, you can use a pumice stone to remove dry skin from your feet. It may not be obvious that blisters on your feet are related to athletes foot. The high concentration is caustic at full strength. Learn how different types of musical activities might help people with Alzheimer's or other kinds of dementia. Fortunately, this common problem can usually be cured without complications. Anyone can get athletes foot, however, regardless of their activity level. Athletes foot is caused by a fungal infection known as tinea. See additional information. 2014;17(3):150-154. Learn how we can help. 2023 Healthline Media LLC. How Do You Disinfect Shoes From Athletes Foot. Although they can be uncomfortable, calluses are rarely. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we: We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness. Then, spray your shoes with white or apple cider vinegar diluted with water. Create a solution with three parts rubbing alcohol and one part water. 2023 Healthline Media LLC. While you can dilute it, you can't make it any stronger. (https://accessmedicine-mhmedical-com.ccmain.ohionet.org/content.aspx?bookid=2570§ionid=210430286). It is also good to practice these tips to avoid getting a repeat infection or spreading it to others. Athletes foot will not heal on its own. Fresh garlic has potent antibacterial and antifungal properties. Make sure to protect your feet from moist environments to avoid athletes foot in the future. Do this twice daily. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Home remedies are often highly effective for athletes foot. Pitted keratolysis is a bacterial infection that can cause your feet to smell bad. Do this twice daily until the infection subsides. Is the ketogenic diet right for autoimmune conditions? Soak feet for 30 minutes, twice a day for up to a week. It can spread from person to person and thrives in damp, warm areas. It occurs in up to 15 percent of the population. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission Heres our process. Dissolve 1 cup of sea salt into a bucket of warm water to create a foot bath, and soak feet for 20 minutes twice daily. (2012). DOI: Daniel Bubnis, M.S., NASM-CPT, NASE Level II-CSS, jprsolutions.info/files/final-file-56893b80b70ba6.47493497.pdf, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3768785/, mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/athletes-foot/symptoms-causes/syc-20353841, How to Treat Blisters from Athletes Foot, Try One of These 10 Home Remedies for Toenail Fungus, What Causes Itchy Feet and How to Treat Them, Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI. As the infection spreads, it can lead to other symptoms such as thick skin patches and blisters.