Natural Remedies to Treat Athlete's Foot Effectively

Recently I discovered that what I thought was athlete's foot was actually chilblains. Chilblains occur when your feet (or sometimes hands) are very cold and are warmed up very rapidly, which can burst capillaries under the skin and result in redness, swelling, and lots of itchiness. For me, the tops of my toes were most affected (not so much in between, or anywhere else on the foot).

For the past week I'd been soaking my feet in various different things, and spraying a variety of herbal antidotes, to no avail: the itchiness and redness hardly went down at all, and I was getting worried I had some bad infection.

Deeper online searching revealed I had chilblains, from coming in from walking in the snow, and resting my feet near a space heater right after taking my boots off.

For better or worse, chilblains seems to improve on its own over time without treatment (unlike a fungal infection). Soaking in a diluted hydrogen peroxide or vinegar solution did help temporarily relieve itching.

I also read somewhere a man treated his chilblains with decent success applying minced onion mixed with salt. I've yet to try it.

I just wanted to let you know, if you are primarily experiencing redness and itchiness on top of your toes, and your toes have recently been very cold, you might check to see if instead of athletes foot you're experiencing chilblains.

patchouli oil for foot fungus

Its amazing how fast it worked. Had fungus for over 15 years and used vinegar for years to no avail I applied the oil twice a day and within 2 weeks fungus was gone

Michigan Foot Doctors said walk on the beach every day in the sand and it will exfoliate and the salt water helps. Just go every day for an hours. As long as it takes.

For my Athlete's foot, activated charcoal cured it in three days. Clean the affected toe with rubbing alcohol, let dry, then apply charcoal powder in between the affected toe. Do this twice a day avoiding socks and covered shoes while treatment lasts.

They were simply remedies for sweaty feet furnished by soldiers and Allies. An Irishman said that his remedy was the best. Bathe the feet in a dish pan with one teaspoonful of borax added. Soak for 20 minutes. Then dry them and add rub spirits of camphor.

From the book, The Officer's Responsibility for His Men Published 1898 page 34.

My feet had a fungus. I sprayed my shoes with Lysol spray and washed my feet with peppermint castle soap which is by opengate. It's similar to Dr. Bonner soap. I took baths in hydrogen peroxide and soak my feet in it daily. I applied tea tree oil daily. I noticed my feet nails got lighter and my feet felt better. You have to do this daily and constantly to see results. Spray all your shoes to avoid reinfection.

For athlete's foot, a cure is raw garlic. gently slice and rub it into the feet and it should go very guickly.

Athlete's foot fungus can become much more than an itch on your little toe as I've learned. It started that way for me but over the years migrated elsewhere on my body so that it manifested itself anywhere my skin touched skin - toes, crotch, underarms, inside my elbows... Initially, the fungus was just on my feet. I sort of managed it by using anti-fungal ointment. After about eight years of sort of dealing with this problem, the fungus migrated elsewhere so I began an intensive effort to get rid of this scourge. Many suggestions can be found at this excellent, well-intended resource, but none of the treatments helped over the long term. Many were painful and I think some are dangerous health-wise such as applying bleach.

I even tried the prescription form of the anti-fungal ointment that is taken internally and requires blood test monitoring to ensure no harm to your liver. There were so many spores around the house that I was immediately re-infested after the treatment finished. Washing clothes with very hot water or just throwing them away after a single use weren't enough.

I had the thought of trying probiotics after using a heavy chlorinated whirlpool bath to kill the fungus was counterproductive as this permitted the fungus to go everywhere. This indicated I had killed my natural defenses.

Natural, bacterial defenses are the solution. I applied a top grade, multi-bacteria probiotic to the infested areas and it worked!! No pain, no fungus. These probiotics are anaerobic as they normally live in a person's gut. So, they don't have a long life and must be reapplied daily or whenever you feel a little itch.

After more research, I found the probiotic that attacks the fungus: lactobacillus rhamnosus. It is readily available online for a reasonable price. Mix the contents of one gelcap with about one teaspoon of water and apply to infested area.

On the owndoc.com website, they have a PDF about the Phythium oligandrum parasitic fungus, and they describe how to use to treat fungal infections of the skin. I found one part really useful to consider, so I'm highlighting it here:

Soak a paper towel in the solution, spread it out over the infected area, then use plastic wrap to thoroughly wrap it around your body. This keeps the liquid-soaked paper towel wet and in place. They say to go to bed with this.

I find this mode of delivery of the solution to the infection helpful to consider for other treatments beyond phythium oligandrum - could use paper towel and plastic wrap with Raw ACV, borax solution, on and on the possible liquid treatments that the paper towel + plastic wrap could be used for!

This is a testimony from a friend and former class instructor. He was teaching a permaculture class, and he taught on making compost tea for use in the garden. He said that a very easy method is to fill up a 5 gallon bucket ¾ full of rain water (or other non-chlorinated water), and put multiple fist-fulls of compost and some forest soil/humus in the water. Put your feet in the bucket, and kick them back and forth for 10 minutes. Viola, quick compost tea!

But...he said that he had chronic athlete's foot for 10 years. Nothing touched it, no medicines of any kind, nothing worked. The next day after kicking his feet around in the compost tea for 10 minutes, it was gone. He said that several years later he was in Haiti and got athletes foot from a public shower. Later that week, he made compost tea in the bucket with his bare feet for 10 minutes, and the next day his athlete's foot was gone.

I have ringworm/jock itch on my thighs, nothing on my feet, and I'm not sure how to submerge myself in compost tea, so I've not tried that yet (though I am going to try spraying it on myself or using some sort of towel or brush to apply to myself and let it soak/sit on the skin for 10-20 minutes). But, because I trust this guy, and it might work for someone else, I'm sharing it here.

I would like to add my voice in endorsing Vetericyn for athlete's foot. I bought the Vetericyn that is formulated as a hydrogel. I have been dealing with athlete's foot for well over a decade; most likely much longer. Recently it flared up causing the usual lesions between toes becoming swollen and somewhat painful to walk around on. The fungus had, over the years, affected my left foot and the skin was dry and cracking to the point of bleeding. I read the post I am replying to and decided to try this product since I had worked with about everything else with mixed results. In using this product for only about two weeks it has been a most remarkable result. The athlete's foot lesions between my toes are, at this point, healed and the entire foot looks to be healing with the skin becoming more normal and soft. The hydrogel form allows for easy spray and then massaging into the tissues. I sprayed at least three times a day in the beginning massaging it in between the toes and all over the foot and part way up the calf (I did not know how far the fungus has progressed by this time. I want to say I noticed a change after only 24 hours of use but I was not sure it was just wishful thinking on my a part. All I can say is give this product a try. All of the testimonials indicate it really works and apparently is quite benign for healing of all sorts of problems. I hope this works for others living with problems such as this.

Hello Lily,

I'm replying to your post because when you combine Hydrogen Peroxide with ACV or vinegar, which both contain Acetic Acid in the 3% to 6 % range, you create Peracetic Acid/Peroxyacetic Acid. Peracetic Acid, while being a potent disinfectant is corrosive and harmful to the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes of the respiratory tract! What you are recommending can be harmful or dangerous!

Peracetic acid is used as a commercial disinfectant by people trained in its use to disinfect hard surfaces while wearing protective gear. It is not meant to be applied to the skin!

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK220001/

https://www.analyticaltechnology.com/analyticaltechnology/gas-water-monitors/blog.aspx?ID=1343 - What Is Peracetic Acid and Is It Dangerous?

https://synergist.aiha.org/201612-peracetic-acid-uses-and-hazards

It may have worked for you, but it is generally dangerous to most people! It may be a good idea if you ask Earth Clinic to remove your post for the safety of others, please.

Art

Just a suggestion.....don't use a basin. Put your ACV in a plastic bag and put your foot in that. If you have a problem on both feet, use 2 plastic bags one at a time. You only need the liquid to cover your foot not a whole basin full. I would sit someplace with the basin in front of me and put the liquid the bags and insert my feet. some bags have handles on the sides like those heavy bags they give you at the market. it makes it easier to keep the bag upright. Also, if you don't have one with handles, you might want to tie a string around the top of the bag while you are soaking so you don't have to hold onto it. I used this method on a trip when I needed to soak my feet from too much walking. It worked beautifully.

Oil of Oregano for Athlete's Foot Rash

Totally cured. I applied oil of oregano to both feet, toes, twice a day for 10 days. I tried a lot of things on here and nothing seemed to work. I bought the oil online pre-mixed. The itching used to drive me crazy.thats been 2 years now never came back. Thank god and earthclinic.

The essential oil "Tea Tree" also cures athlete's foot.

My 15 year old son who is in secondary school, but a boarder, started developing athlete foot, that kind that will tear your heels open and develop boils and pus. The two legs were so much infected. I have bought some drugs and fungal cream from a pharmacy but to no avail. He was even given some anti fungal tabs to take.

But when I came to the earthclinic.com and read the testimonies of other people using vinegar and coconut oil I was excited. Now my son is on Easter holiday, he came back last week. I quickly went to the store, bought ordinary white vinegar, and started soaking his feet in a solution of half water/half vinegar.

After soaking for 30 mins, when it air dried I mixed Vaseline and coconut oil and rub on the feet. Today is the 6th time of doing it and the whole infection has disappeared and his heels are as smooth as ever. I am grateful to God and to earth clinic.com. Earthclinic has been a blessing to me since I found. Thank you so much.

I had a mildly painful, annoying athlete's foot problem on a couple of my toes. First I tried Terabine Antifungal. It did not work. Then I tried Apple Cider Vinegar. It burned. Perhaps it killed some fungus; I do not know. Then I tried Vicks Vapo Rub (generic substitute). ChaChing! The improvement was rapid and my skin healed beautifully. I would recommend slathering it for a week or so (twice a day). Also wear sandals if you can to give your foot air.

Borax and Hydrogen Peroxide Remedy for Athlete's Feet:

after moving to a humid climate I suffered with itching feet in the summer. I tried many natural remedies without much luck. After wading in a big lake one day my foot fungus got 10 times worse, and I had white protrusions on my feet which wouldn't come off, and it was red in a moccasin-type pattern. In desperation I searched the web and found a remedy that worked very well. This is what you'll need: 1) a small glass or plastic bottle with cap (I used a 4 oz plastic bottle with cap) 2) drugstore hydrogen peroxide 3) borax (such as Mule Team) 4) cotton balls or cosmetic pads Mix equal parts of hydrogen peroxide and water in your plastic bottle, leaving about a half inch at top.

Add a tablespoon of borax to the hydrogen peroxide mix. (I used 1 tablespoon to 4 oz mixture). Allow the borax to fully dissolve. When some of the borax sinks to the bottom of the bottle, it's okay to use, and in fact, the borax will *not* fully dissolve. Saturate a cotton pad or ball with the solution and wipe your feet with it. It will not sting, and the sensation will be pleasant. The solution dries quickly.

Do this twice a day at least. After doing this for just a few days, my feet began to clear up. Now only a couple of weeks later, my feet are like new. I keep up with the solution daily, however, as I like to walk barefoot at home and there's no way to get rid of all bacteria and fungus from surfaces on which you walk. So, the best solution is this solution!

You can also sprinkle plain borax in your tennis shoes.

Re: Athlete's Foot(AF):

I used a whole tube of OTC AF'S medicine. Minimal results. I have persistent and reoccurring AF between toes and on the bottom of my feet. I used ACV and it eliminated the AF until next time. The key is to use it and saturate the area over and over again until you feel relief. I do this in one sitting and than again the next day. It works better than anything else! Keep on it! Don't waste money on OTC stuff.

It is very effective against athlete's foot but note that the generic name of the drug is LAMISIL {Terbinafine.}

Light for Athlete's Foot

I feel like I tried everything but this irritating infection just wouldn't leave. Not for over 20 years. OTC treatments, ACV, and garlic would alleviate it temporarily but it would always return. Same with high strength isopropyl alcohol. Then I discovered that exposing the infected area to light had an impact. It would penetrate the layers of skin to get at the cause of the problem. This lessened the discomfort but again, it was a temporary fix. Until I thought that if I were to have longer term exposure to light - at least an hour at a time - it might kill off enough of the infection to make a significant dent, and with repeated 'treatments' the fungus couldn't survive, as it needs darkness to thrive. So that's what I've been doing and I think I'm finally kicking this. I do apply tea tree oil and castor oil first, then just turn on a desk lamp and position it so that the light shines on the area. Relax, maybe throw on a good tv show and/or movie. Afterwards, put on a fresh pair of socks. Repeat as necessary - daily is probably ideal. Fingers crossed that this is the solution that works - it's been the most effective for me so far and I've only done it 3-5 times. Be careful about placement of the light - don't burn yourself (or anything else)! Good luck out there.

Re: Treating Athlete's Foot

I remember I once used Panoxyl 5 cream when way back in the 90s. I haven't gotten it nowadays. Worked perfect. Caution! It will bleach your bed linen so sleep with socks.. share of it works for you.

I have had this condition all my life and have been struggling with it on and off. Went back to the doc because - yes - I suspect I have dyshidrotic excema as well! All the stuff you use to dry out or attack the 'fungus' is only going to agravate it even more. Got a referral to a dermatologist now, but I can't get an appointment until 3 or 4 weeks from now. Will definitely discuss this option with him.

To make things even more confusing, you can get dyshidrotic excema as an allergic reaction to a fungal infection. Anyway, keep this option in mind everybody. It's very common for people with hay fever, allergies and asthma (as myself).

Dear Becky,

I don't recall what I used many years ago; now I make my own. However, when I need to buy a tincture, I like Herbpharm.

~Mama to Many~

to Momma to many,

Can you be specific on a Calendula tincture? Perhaps from Amazon?

I am very familiar with yeast issues . what does your diet look like and have you also tried some supplements lately, what might they be ....? maybe garlic

Some foods flush it out of the body onto the skin and that is quite painful. When mine gets bad I go to walmart and buy vaginal yeast cream (miconazole)and coat my foot/hand before bed and put on a sock/cotton glove.

You may need some milk thistle to give your liver a break and some Molybedum to stop detox misery symptoms.

Dear Michaela,

Sorry to hear this is causing you so much misery!

Here are some things to try:

• Turmeric internally to reduce itch and inflammation
• Borage oil internally to reduce inflammation
• Calendula tincture for topical use. Add 1 dropperful of calendula tincture to 1 ounce of water and rub into hands and feet twice a day. This knocked out a chronic fungal issue I had over 20 years ago after a year of different remedies.
• Keep sugar and processed foods to a minimum.
• Add coconut oil to your diet and apply to hands and feet if they are dry feeling. (After using calendula )

I hope you feel better soon.

~Mama to Many~