Natural Remedies For Athlete's Foot

Garlic

Posted by Lyle (Gaborone, Botswana) on 01/01/2013
★★★★★

I've had persistent jock itch and occassional athlete's foot outbreak for 24 years. I stumbled upon this site last month and read thru every post on it.

I liked the post on how one lady from England used garlic on her toes overnight to deal with athlete's foot. I went a step further. I grated several cloves of garlic and applied generous amounts of the garlic paste between my toes and around my gonads. Then quickly put on socks and tight undies. Man, this stuff burns like crazy; thot my gonads were gonna fall off altogether!! After two hours of this burning hell I took off all clothes and reduced the paste to a bare minimum. only then could I sleep.

By morning I was burnt good and proper where the garlic paste had contact with the skin. However close inspection revealed that the fungus was dead on the 3 places it had infected my right foot. It was a bit hard, unlike other areas which were tender, painful and swollen. Within 48 hrs patches of skin was coming off both around the gonads and toes.

Just over a month later, I've not had another outbreak, skin's still peeling off on both my feet with no pain. No skin is peeling off from my gonads.

In the meantime, I've been drinking copious amounts of ACV each morning and evening for the past month - at least two tablespoons each time. Also, I've made it a habit to bath both morning and evening.

Some Saturdays, I sunbathe compeletely naked for 20 minutes since the fungus likes damp, dark places.

I also apply a drop or two of tea tree oil | camomile oil | lavender oil or a mixture of all three with Jojoba oil as the carrier oil mix every morning and evening. So far so good.

I am convinced garlic kills the fungus, but my approach could kill somebody. I suggest applying the garlic paste on just the affected foot patches; unless you're very brave. I was very stupid. LOL.

Perhaps try putting garlic cut into strips onto the gonads kept in place under tight undies. It might still burn, but it'll reduce the extent of the burnt area. By the way, the burns left no scars around my gonads. My feet are not scarred either; there are blotches of light skin, but no scarring. So normal colour is coming back gradually.

Now I intend to ingest half a cup of garlic everyday for a month to rid myself of the fungus streaming up and down my veins. Its days are definitely numbered in my body now. Garlic smell is not a problem - celery takes care of all internal body odours very well, as does parsely. I usually blend fresh celery - about 3 stalks - with other fruits and vegetables (a new raw alkaline diet I just started just over a month ago). Celery also has about two dozen different chemical compounds that kill fungi. Garlic kills lots of fungi too. The two make a perfectly potent fungi killing couple!

Hydrogen Peroxide

Posted by Suetee (Union City, Georgia, United States) on 06/03/2012
★★★★★

A definite YAY here. I have had moccasin type athlete's foot for than a decade. My feet were extremely thick and darkly callused and my toenails were thick, dull and cracking. Nothing I tried worked: bleach, vinegar, OTC drugs but the hydrogen peroxide has been a miracle! I soak my feet in a 3% HP twice a day (undiluted) for the last 2 weeks and used my dremel and pumice stone to remove any dead skin. The dark moccasin pattern is 80% gone, my nails are a healthy white and the nail beds look healthy and my feet feel softer than I can remember. I will continue the twice daily soaks until they are completely clear. I might be able to wear sandals this summer. I hope this helps others out there with the same problem.

Alcohol

Posted by Jay (Orlando, Fl) on 09/17/2011
★★★★★

I FINALLY, after years of searching, found a cure for tinea pedis(Athletes foot). It is Isopropyl Alcohol 91% strength. I found it in the Pharmacy Section.

The 70% alcohol was ineffective and did nothing to kill the fungus.

I am so happy that I found something that actually works! For the disabled, one can purchase a spray nozzle and spray the alcohol on the feet from a distance without having to bend over.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Francisca (Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France) on 07/18/2011

Bonnie, for problems with cracked feet, especially heel, I would advise you try calendula cream. I don't have as many problems as you have but any time my heals are a bit cracked I use this cream and in a day or so my feet feel like a baby's bottom! Also good for the elbows and for the skin generally, even your face!

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Chuck (Ventura, Ca) on 06/05/2011
★★★★★

ACV is healing my atheletes foot. I had it on the bottom of both feet and on my leg. I used OTC spray, cream, and powder to no avail. The doctor gave me anti-fungal cream, still no help. After reading these posts I soak my feet in ACV for 30 minutes each night and has done more in two months than the others did in 5 months. It is gone on one foot, and only one little spot left on the other. I get the generic ACV from Smart & Final for a little over 3 bucks a gallon. I warm it up so it is more comfortable and it seems to work better when warm.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Happyfeet (Mayberry, USA) on 05/27/2011
★★★★☆

First -- Thanks to ALL the members who have contributed to this thread!

SECOND: My Moccasin Heel Athletes feet have shown MORE improvement in one week using ACV than all the other endless professional treatments in the last three years.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Mary (Preston, Lancashire, United Kingdom) on 04/06/2011
★★★★☆

After reading the comments on this site, I tried apple cider vinegar (with the mother in it) as a soak to cure my moccasin athlete's foot. Basically, after 4 months of use, it was better but definitely not cured. I had the moccasin athlete's foot on both feet and one hand and had been unable to shift it, (in spite of frequent trips to the doctor), for 5 years.

In its favour, the apple cider vinegar did a lot more for me than the steroid creams my doctor prescribed and was also better than the OTC anti-fungal drugs. It did make my skin softer and helped heal some of the painful cracking. However, it could not kill the fungus. I suspect that this is because moccasin athlete's foot is extremely difficult to deal with once it gets hold and perhaps if I had used ACV years ago, before the moccasin athlete's foot became chronic, it might have worked.

For anyone wondering whether I managed to cure it some other way, the answer is yes, but not at home. In the end I was so desperate that I went to a traditional chinese herbalist who gave me a pile of herbs (many of which looked like fungus, bark and mushrooms) to boil up every night as a foot/hand soak. I was pretty skeptical but amazingly it worked within a week and I'm so happy! It wasn't as cheap as ACV, two consultations plus the herbs cost me around £80 (GBP), but for me it was worth it.

In conclusion, if you've got a really bad case of moccasin type athlete's foot, my experience has been that apple cider vinegar will soothe it - maybe even halt its development - but it won't give you a complete cure.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Pete (Portland, Oregon) on 03/03/2011
★★★★★

I used raw Apple Cider Vinegar on some nasty-looking athlete's foot for two weeks, and I now have beautiful new skin on both feet and no sign of the infection. I simply soaked a cotton ball to saturation and applied liberally (to dripping point) all over the affected areas. I then let it dry in the air and didn't rinse it off. I did this twice or three times a day, changed my socks the same number of times, and saw improvement daily. I can't thank you enough for all your advice and encouragement!

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Jeannine (Denver, Co, Usa) on 11/18/2010
★★★★★

I had a bad case of athlete's foot on my left foot that plagued me for well over a year. I wanted to try a natural remedy, and I found this site and used a combination of ACV (swabbed on with a cotton ball) followed by tea tree oil. This worked somewhat, but did not cure it. What finally got rid of it once and for all was soaking my foot in straight ACV for 10-20 minutes. The trick for me, I think, was that I needed to leave it soaking in the vinegar until it started to burn and itch. That's when I knew that it was working, it felt like the fungus was being killed off. After I did this, the next day I saw a big improvement, plus I found small white blisters. I did this once a day for about a week, and it completely went away. It has been about 6 months now, and it is still gone. I hope this testimony helps someone else out!

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Stephen (Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan) on 08/18/2010
★★★★★

Remedy: Apple Cider Vinegar
Usage: 1Day/1Time/2Weeks for 30Minutes before bed
Cured: Yes

Ok this my sound a little harsh to some, but sometime the truth hurts. 99. 9 percent of all athletes foot can be prevented by one simple step. WASH YOUR FEET EVERYDAY!! I myself sometimes neglected my feet (and don't say you haven't) during quick showers not to mention military days when there were no "Hollywood showers" allowed. Well I don't want to place all the blame on the military, but I was in boots more than out of them during my tour. I didn't even have athletes foot til I got out of the military. WTF. ;o;

Well it was worst on my left foot between my little (weewee)piggy and my starved piggy. Cracking, itching, peeling, etc. Never spread though. Thank God. I tried it all. Bought all the fix it quicks online, the crap from the doctors office, and online healing BS. Then I found this site and read each and everyone of your reviews. I thought what the hell. Let me give it a try. I went to Costco and bought boxes of ACV. The first week I used the stuff straight outta the bottle covering both feet 20 minutes a night. The first treatment was already mind blowing. The next morning I looked at my feet and the redness was almost gone. After the first week I could see not signs of the fungus. I then started diluting the ACV into water at a 2 to 1 ration. The smaller being water. Continued for another week and I think I am cured. I am washing my feet like crazy everyday just to be extra safe. I can tell you I now am not embarrassed when the ladies come over and can take of my socks without worrying about my feet. Damn!! I got beautiful feet again. The only downside to the ACV (and I think this was already said) but it does dry the hell out of your feet. Better dry than moist I guess. THANK YOU EARTHCLINIC for putting up this site and allowing me to find a cure for the devils fungus. If you have not experienced athletes foot then good for you, but you best never neglect your feet or Mr. Fungi might come a knocking. Use the Apple Cider Vinegar!! I am telling it works. Just don't half ass the remedy though. Stick to it every day until you kill those little critters eating away at your feet.

Vicks

Posted by Brenda (San Antonio, Texas) on 06/25/2010

i find the old saying if your feet stink you need zinc. at least 15 mgs a day with food or it will upset your stomach. also rubbing oil around and on your toes is a good way to fight the fungus. try mixing 10 drops of tea tree oil in 1 oz of olive oil.

Hair Dryer

Posted by Vi (Saskatoon, Sk) on 01/15/2010
★★★★☆

Itchy Toes

I just thought I would share what finally worked to get rid of this stubborn infection - a hair dryer! I thought as one person suggested, something might be in my shoes, so I "blow-dried" the insides of my shoes on high for two periods of 30 seconds each. Push the hair dryer right in there so the inside gets good and hot. The first time I did this I melted the rim of the hair dryer so be sure to let it cool down in between! I was amazed when the infection on my toes went away without any further treatment of the skin itself. I now do this every month or so for all my shoes and slippers - sometimes I feel a tingling sensation that implies the infection is still around but with this approach it doesn't seem to ever develop. AND this also gets rid of odor in the shoes as it kills the bacteria that cause that too!

EC: Thanks, Vi. Sounds like a great idea for those treating toenail fungus too!

Hydrogen Peroxide

Posted by Melissa (Orlando, Fl) on 09/17/2009
★★★★★

Hydrogen Peroxide to Combat Athlete's Foot

I have seen countless doctors and dermatologists for my dry, red, peeling, cracked heels that I have had on and off since probably the age of 10. I have been (incorrectly) diagnosed with eczema, allergic skin, and even psoriasis. I have taken oral medications and have been prescribed compounded skin lotions in hopes of "maintaining" my condition at a tolerable level.

This year, I took matters into my own hands. Living in Florida, people walk around in sandals and flip-flops more than half of the year. My feet were so embarrassing. I researched and researched and found that it was highly probable that I had the moccassin-type of athlete's foot. All the symptoms fit - even my mother and grandmother have struggled with similar feet issues. I went for a final opinion from my primary doctor and she agreed - perhaps it was misdiagnosed after all.

I finally decided to try soaking my feet in 50% water and 50% unfiltered, raw, organic apple cider vinegar every night. It produced almost immediate results with my feet feeling soft and peeling less. Nonetheless, after almost two weeks of soaking my feet, I just could not stand the odor anymore - neither could my husband. I stopped and of course the athlete's foot came back with a vengeance.

I finally decided to try 50% water and 50% hydrogen peroxide foot soaks for 20 minutes every night or every other night. I follow through with an "as seen on tv" foot file to take off the dead skin. Finally, I moisturize with organic coconut-based lotion. After almost three weeks, my feet feel and look amazing. I make sure to sterilize the basin I use to soak my feet, the towels, the foot file, and any other instruments with alcohol to ensure that the fungus is killed. Also, I have been more careful to spray my feet with anti-fugal sprays and foot powder before working out or if I wear partially or closed toed shoes.

As a precaution, I will keep maintaining these soaks as long as I can - considering I've had this athlete's foot condition for more than 15 years. I hope some of you have success with this inexpensive and definitely less smelly solution!

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Cheryl (Gainesville, Florida) on 07/27/2009
★★★★★

Apple Cider Vinegar used to cure my moccasin type athlete's foot.

I just want to say THANK YOU!!!!!! I have had the moccasin type of athlete's foot for over a year and it was so PAINFUL! I went to the doctor and tried EVERYTHING! I was spending about $60.00 a week purchasing anti-fungal treatments and followed all the directions to the tee. I was doing anything possible to get rid of this because I'm a diabetic and I was afraid of my feet becoming infected from the athlete's foot. They would crack and bleed, some mornings it was extremely difficult to even walk because they hurt so bad. I kept buying the anti-fungal treatments because I was trying to cure it and trying to prevent it's spread to my toenails.

Out of desperation I did a Google search on home remedies for athlete's foot.....I didn't have much hope, I was just hoping for something to help ease the pain....I thought I would have to live with this for the rest of my life. I read about the Apple Cider Vinegar and I read all the comments and decided to give it a try. WOW!!! Within a week the open wounds were healing. At that point I was only applying the apple cider vinegar with a cotton ball. My husband was so excited about the improvement that he went out and bought a couple of gallon jugs of the stuff so I could soak my feet in it. I have been soaking each foot in it full strength for 30 minutes each for about 3 weeks now and it's almost GONE! It stung a lot at first, but that was because of the open wounds....now the fungus is clearing up and it even makes my feet soft and healthy!!!

Thank you sooooo much! This site saved me from a lot of pain and discomfort! The apple cider vinegar really works!

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Yvonne (Apex, NC) on 07/19/2009
★★★★★

My son got athelete's foot. I took him to the doctor and was given a prescription - did not get rid of it. Back to the doc. This time is kind of went away, but came back. This went on for about a year. I threw away his shoes, sox, etc. Finally I heard of apple cider vinegar. I had him soak his feet in a solution of 4 parts water to 1 part vinegar for about 15-30 every night for a week. This time is went away and did not return.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Janice (Wilmington, NC) on 06/21/2009
★★★★★

Hi Patrick. No, you definitely don't need the expensive brand of apple cider vinegar for athlete's foot. I got my AF cured (killed?) in 2 days by soaking my toes for half an hour in the generic brand of acv from the grocery store.

Apple Cider Vinegar and Hydrogen Peroxide

Posted by Lily (California) on 10/05/2021

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.

Apple Cider Vinegar and Hydrogen Peroxide

Posted by Rhonda (Batesville) on 07/05/2015

Do not re-use. Cheap brands of Apple Cider Vinegar works great. Also, just use Apple Cider Vinegar & skip the peroxide..an earlier post said don't mix Apple Cider Vinegar with peroxide.. Damaging.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Linda (St. Paul, MN) on 05/15/2009

Just put some baking soda in the shoes & leave it in. I started doing this when my kids were young and it works!

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Missymichigan (Temperance, Michigan) on 05/16/2009

Here's how to penetrate the thick skin of the soles of your feet - I use a foot calus remover - it looks like a cheese grater, only made for feet. Once you are out of the shower and your skin and callouses are soft, just use the devise (found in most retail stores) to remove all calous areas of your foot, then try the home remedies. For fast removal of calouses, I use an electric Dremel tool found in most hardware stores with the round sand paper disc on it - it will clear up all of your callouses in 10 minutes or less but be careful to to put the speed too high. I got this idea from my podietrist who removed all of my calouses with one in her office! Good luck! Your feet will thank you!

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Alyssa (Austin, Texas) on 09/01/2009

One way to prevent stinky feet... Wear socks with a higher content of natural materials. Dress socks generally have high levels of nylon and run-of-the-mill white cotton socks are usually only about 75% cotton. Aim for at least 80% cotton, and when doing the laundry, add about a half cup of white vinegar to the wash cycle. Your socks should come out squeaky-clean, smelling great, and ready to absorb any sweat. Additionally, rotating your shoes works wonders... Try not to wear the same pair of shoes two days consecutively, giving each a day to air out.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Char (Los Alamitos, CA, USA) on 03/12/2009
★★★★★

Organic apple cider vinegar cure worked wonders in 3 days, redness decreased on bottom of foot, skin appears to have returned to normal in area where it had peeled off, blisters decreasing in size and almost dried up. I also used the coconut oil to keep the skin soft. Can't thank you enough!!!!!!!