The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Vetericyn
Posted by Lee (Fruita, Colorado Usa) on 08/29/2011
★★★★★
I have fought with severe athlete's foot for 12 long years. Have used prescriptions, OTC remedies, hydrogen peroxcide, and vinegar. It helped, but did not cure. In desperation I tried a veterinary product used to treat fungus infections in animals. It is called Vetericyn, and comes in a spray bottle. I used it 3 times a day for a week. Just simply sprayed it on all over my feet and up to my knees. It began clearing up overnight! It's been a month now, and I am not bothered with athlete's foot anymore. I cant explain it, I just found that it works.
Vetericyn
Posted by Helen (San Diego, Ca) on 08/22/2012
★★★★★
This post has been the answer to my prayers! I can't say explain how happy I am that I came across it. I'm a female, 26 years old, and have had athlete's foot for as long as I can remember. I've always been embarrassed about walking around barefoot or in sandals because of my dry, cracked, peeling feet. I had the mocassin type of athlete's foot (notice "had").
I tried the vinegar soaks, I tried vaporrub, diluted bleach, and hydrogen peroxide. All of which provided temporary relief but never cured the problem. Last year, I finally decided to take Lamisil pills and it did go away after a few months. I was very excited by the results, however, last month (6 months after finishing the treatment) it came back. I started noticing my feet were getting dry again and flaky until eventually it got worse, my foot looked like a freaking map with the skin between my toes peeling in a circular pattern! All that money gone to waste!
Two weeks ago I came on this website to look for another remedy and came across this post. After doing some research and reading all the great reviews online, I ordered a 16 oz bottle and as soon as I received it, I started spraying it on my feet 3 times a day. After 2 days, while in the shower, I noticed my skin peeling a lot more than usual. I used a foot file to scrape it off and continued with the spray. I'm not exagerrated when I say that after 4 days of using the product the cracks and peeling between my toes and along my feet had completely healed! It's like they were never there! It was absolutely amazing to see the results. Today marks a week since I started using the product and my feet are healthy and smooth. Vetericyn truly is a miracle in a bottle! I plan on using it every now and then to prevent any reoccurences.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Howdy1242 (Emery, Utah, Usa) on 08/20/2011
★★★★★
As a diabetic I must keep a close watch on my feet. In a 13x9 " baking dish, I shred 1 medium potato and 1 cup apple cider vinegar I soak each foot for 30 minutes twice a month. It has been a cure for athletes foot, as well as other fungi, It works well for me.
I also keep a spray bottle with 2 tablespoons of cider vinegar as a after shower body spray , for itchy skin.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Tiffany (Conway, Ar) on 01/09/2011
I would suggest to elevate your foot on a regular basis, above the level of your heart any time you're not walking. Try putting alum or talc powder in your sock (tall tube sock) before putting it on, then wrap your foot and leg in an ACE bandage to apply compression. Elevate the foot and wrap an ice pack around it. Do this as often as possible (2-3 times per day minimum).
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Kyle (B_town, Mn) on 02/15/2011
There is no cure to bad foot other then prevention. IF you do get it I swear on my life that ACV and Tea Tree Oil will calm it down. When my whole body shakes cause it itches so bad I soak it 50 percent water and 50 percent ACV for 15 to 20 mins on both feet. Even if its on one toe or foot both, add the other so it prevents it. Trust me it wont spread to the other foot.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Ken (Alfred, New York Usa) on 09/01/2010
★★★★☆
I acknowledge the success of Stephen from Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan, BUT he suffered from inter-digit type. It's short-lived. I am suffering from "moccasin" type known as Trichophyton rubrum, which is long-lasting and very difficult to treat. I've had this 8 months now with ups-downs. Vinegar soak helps but seems to have put the infection in a hibernation like state. Tolerable but not cured.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Stephen (Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan) on 08/18/2010
This works people. Garlic does work in the beginning, but it won't cure your feet like the Apple Cider Vinegar will. Warning!! Your feet may actually become dry using ACV. Mine did, but it is way better than damp feet. If your feet get too dry you can always rub a little foot lotion on your feet, but if you do, DO NOT put socks over your feet that you just put lotion on.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Stephen (Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan) on 08/18/2010
Matt, you can rinse you feet if you want, but don't wear socks unless your feet are dry. What I did, and what I forgot to add in my yea post was that at night, after soaking my feet, I left the vinegar to dry and then put my feet in plastic baggies with rubber bands to hold the baggies in place. I rinsed my feet in the morning, dried really well and wore sandals for the day. Also throw away all socks and buy new ones. Put your shoes in plastic bags, seal the bags and stick in the freezer over night. The fungi can survive the washing machine and stay in your socks. No joke!! Good luck!
Apple Cider Vinegar, Garlic
Posted by Tina (Louisville, Ky) on 06/24/2010
★★★★★
Hello, I just wanted to praise the healing effects of Apple Cider Vinegar and Garlic for my recent bout with Athlete's foot. I have never had a case before in my life, but I picked it up from my recent trip to New Orleans. It was awful. I knew it was bad to scratch but I couldn't help myself at first because it itched so bad. It was present on the top of my foot only, and the more I scratched the farther it spread. When it was approaching my toes and I saw that I was beginning to bleed I knew I had to do something. I used this site for a previous ailment that I had and it worked so I trusted the the apple cider vinegar and garlic remedy as suggested would work as well. It was also great because they were already two ingredients I had in my pantry. So at first I soaked my feet in a basin with non-diluted store brand ACV.I must say IT BURNED. I also got nervous after I saw my pickled feet and the the rashes raise up on my feet. I did this 1x/day for a couple of days and then I started to come to the last of my ACV. So I diluted about 3 cups vinegar and filled the rest of the basin with water. I reused this for about a week and then replaced the vinegar-water solution the next week. Each night prior to going to bed I sliced two cloves of fresh garlic and placed them on my feet directly on the rash areas and then put ankle socks over it so they would stay in place.WARNING-I advise not to do this during the day especially if you in public around people. I did it one time and the smell was so strong people were literally looking at me in disgust. just wear sandles during the day if you can or if you have to wear socks then I suggest sprinkling a little cayenne pepper in them (that's what I did). The combination of ACV and garlic everyday for two weeks has resulted in a DRAMATIC improvement in my feet. The skin is now smooth. I still have a couple of scabs that are still healing. I will continue this treatment until all signs of this are gone. I read how this condition can be persistent. Your feet will smell like vinegar and garlic a lot after its done but that does not compare to fungus-infected, bleeding feet! I just thought I would provide my testimony and really hope in some way this will help someone else. I know it has worked WONDERS for me. Good luck!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Mn (West Midlands, England) on 05/27/2010
★★★★☆
About two years ago, I tried taking ACV to cure my athlete's foot. It didn't work at all! I tried everything but it wouldn't go away.
Then about a month ago, after being off of ACV for a half a year or so, I started taking it again for allergies. Looking at my feet at the end of the week when I took a bath, I noticed about 50% of my athlete's foot had disappeared. I have no idea why it didn't work the first time. I hadn't changed my diet much except I had less processed foods.
Anyone wanting to cure Athlete's Foot should give ACV another try.
Vicks
Posted by Candy (Ofallon, Mo) on 02/03/2010
★★★★★
Athlete's foot: I have used vaporub on my feet for years, it cures this problem within a day or two, no waiting six weeks. Also when we were kids my parents would rub it on the inside of our throat if we had a sore throat, a sore throat was also gone in a day. This product probably works due to the euclyptus.There are a lot of these products in the store but the one that works must have euclyptus, mint, and camphor. It also make your dry feet very soft.
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.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by TimeSpirit (North Jersey, NJ) on 07/22/2009
★★★★★
I've had hideous toe and foot fungus for many years. I've tried a lot of OTC medicine and never had much relief. It's hard to believe but, I just used ACV ONCE and I saw an improvement. I was stunned. I took suggestions from other posts and sprinkled some cayenne pepper onto my feet and toes and put on clean socks. Can't tell if it's working or not but, the cayenne feels pretty nice, just like a soft foot powder. I'll update in a week after the treatment has some time to work. Thanks to all who post here. I really appreciate all the helpful remedies.
Urine
Posted by Kin (Auckland, New Zealand) on 06/09/2009
★★★★★
Urine for Athlete's Foot
Saw quite a few latest Posts regarding Athlete's Foot, so decided to post my experience. Urine works well for Athlete's Foot. I have Athlete's Foot for about a year, tried AVC, Tea Tree Oil, Lavender Oil, Grapefruit seed oil, they all work to certain degree but Urine is the best cure. Iodine works well too but urine is the most effective.
I soaked my feet in my own urine daily for about 15 minutes in a leak proof plastic bag; let my feet dried off before I had my shower. I saw improvement within days and after about a week or two, it was almost 100% cured. It's free and easily available. Pee on your feet method did not work that well for me. Wonder if urine can be used externally for face and hair?
Apple Cider Vinegar and Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Heather (Vancouver, BC) on 06/07/2009
Chuck from Lexington, KY wrote in his post - "I used a combination of approx. 60% "raw" apple cider vinegar, organic unfiltered with the mother, and probably about 40% hydrogen Peroxide. I soaked my affected areas for 30-40 minutes in the solution and let it air dry."
Do you re-use the ACV/HP? If the full treatment took weeks or months, it could become quite costly to have to refill the bottom couple of inches of a basin every day. Is it possible for the ACV/HP to become polluted/infected/dirtied by contact with the fungus on the foot? Where I live, Br**g organic ACV and HP are not cheap.
Hopefully someone can shed some light on this. I am a poor student, and have put off undertaking this treatment because of the cost factor. If it's OK to re-use the ACV/HP, I will begin at once.
Thanks!
Heather
Urine
Posted by Rob (Robertsville, MO) on 05/02/2009
★★★★★
i had athlete's foot so bad i would pull large chunks of skin and my feet would bleed my cousens girlfriend told me her grandpa told her brouther to pee on his feet when he first got in the shower then wait till last to wash them i started doing this that night and it took about 2 weeks its been about 4 years cince ive had any problem with my feet
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by J-Rod (Houston, TX) on 05/14/2009
Hi, I just read some of these feedbacks and was wondering what could help my husbands stinky shoes? My husband has athletes foot really bad. I mean I hated washing his nasty yellow crusty hard socks. I want to try this beacuse I've tried everything over the counter and his parents have bought him some package they saw on t.v. It worked but it had too many steps and of course he has to go to work. So if we try this do you think the smell in his shoes will go away as well?
Urine
Posted by Scott (Anaheim, CA) on 03/04/2009
★★★★★
I tried everything OTC and nothing worked well. Literally everything. I am even put VICs on my feet before sleeping for 1 month. It cleared up the nails, but it came back really quickly after stopping. The nails started to get dark again. I did vinegar soaks and that didn't help either.
Finally, I decided to PEE on my feet twice a day (morning pee and night). I remembered a few years back, I had this bad headache that wouldn't go away and I ended up drinking my own morning urine for a week after trying everything else. It fixed that headache. Its really amazing, but it cleared up my feet in a matter of days, not months or 1 year. Don't believe those that say it doesn't work. Urine has thousands of nutrients, many of which can't be detected with our equipment. It literally cleared it up in 1 week. I also resorted to spitting on my feet and rubbing in the SALIVA letting dry. Remember dogs and cats always licking their paws? Its Saliva they are spreading and used to clean their paws.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Cheryl (Chicago, IL) on 02/23/2009
★★★★★
Remember that fungus is systemic. When you treat your AF topically, its going to keep recurring because its fungus that circulates all over your body. Try taking garlic capsules, we get them at Costco. Also, everyone with AF or nail fungus should research candidiasis which is a polysystemic fungal infection. Due to overuse of antibiotics (which also kills off good bacteria) and our bad diets (sugar, sugar substitutes, high fructose corn syrup in almost everything-- read food labels and all high glycemic foods), creates perfect environment for candidiasis. Also take probiotics to replace the good bacteria in the GI tract. I recommend changing to the candidiasis diet (no dairy, no sugar or sugar substitutes or any other high glycemic foods), taking garlic tablets, caprylic acid (from the health food store), take high fiber capsules to clean out the colon (fungus lives on our waste) and finally drink a lot of water. Unless you clear the fungus out of your entire system internally, the AF fungus is always going to come back.
Our daughter is diagnosed with candidiasis, our osteopath put her on anti-candidiasis diet. We parents decided to go on the same diet to be supportive, now all three of us are feeling much better. As an unexpected bonus, my AF fungus and nail fungus is dramatically improving after only 3 weeks. Its SYSTEMIC, gotta change your diet to beat it. Here's your diet: eggs, organic meats, fish, low glycemic mostly green vegetables, salad. Once you change your diet, you'll feel so much better, you won't mind this. You will also lose weight. Also seems like what clogs up the system, so no bread or any other food product with yeast. Check canned soup labels, many of them contain yeast.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Lyle (Gaborone, Botswana) on 05/14/2013
★★★★☆
Yes Cheryl, dietary changes work too. I thought I had cleared the athlete's foot. But when I stopped rubbing the garlic on my feet, it came back after about 3 months.
I then got a herbal tea mix of the these herbs: garlic bulb, barberry and milk thistle. Within two days of taking this, the funugs dried on the skin under my feet. It took about a month for the skin to fall off. After about a month, I ran out of the tea and the fungus attacked again within two weeks. I guess there are lots of spores in my body.
I intend to take this herbal tea for the whole year in a bid to clear the spores from my system. I am much happier with the tea since it doesn't smell. Also, I like prefer tea (compared to rubbing on the body) since I can drink it cold in the summer and warm when its cold, it cleans the body from inside, just what I need. Man, I havent been to the gym in ages now due to this fungus.
I probably need to get rid of my shoes and socks as well so I dont get re-infected.
This herbal tea was formulated to treat Thrush, but it works for both thrush and athlete's foot.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Len (Berkeley, Ca) on 06/03/2013
How often and how much of the tea were you drinking? Did you change your diet as well??
Topical Silver
Posted by Melissa (Lawton, OK) on 12/31/2008
★★★★★
Remedy - Topical Silver
Ailment - Athletes Foot
My husband had athletes foot for months and was desperate for a cure. He tried all over the counter applications with nothing working. Next he tried apple cider vinegar internally and externally which helped for the first few applications but then it came back in full force. He then tried a qtip soaked in silver and put on his badly cracked red skin. He has been applying for a week now and the crack is gone and the itching soreness of athletes foot is gone!
EC: Topical silver treatments and silver dressings are typically used for contaminated or infected wounds.
Oregano Oil
Posted by Ameer (Barcelona, Spain) on 12/28/2008
★★★★★
Oregono oils is great, keep using it. if you like do a combination treatment. the key is do not wear socks. it will go away faster if it is aired out. fungus grows in warm damp places. the best way to get rid of atheletes foot is to buy open toed sandals and wear them until the fungus is gone. this is difficult to do in the summer time. if it is really cold in your country then make sure you take off your shoes and socks as soon as you get home. also if you are going to an event or party or will be at a place for a long period of time put on the oregono oil with foot powder and salt in between the toes to keep it as dry as possible. take a pair of sandals with you and change into them in the bathroom when you are in from the cold. if it is warm just wear sandals till they are gone. they professional looking sandals if you have to work in a professional atmosphere. it only takes a minute for this discusting parasite to grow back.
Urine
Posted by Rosy (Orlando, Fl) on 12/23/2008
★★★★★
This is going to sound nasty but it works. I got athletes foot once from a pair of combat boots I bought at and army navy surplus store. What you want to do is pee in a paper cup and then poor this over your althetes foot. Let it set for a few minutes then wash off. I used to do this in the morning and evening. It cleared up in about a week.
Bleach
Posted by Steve (Roanoke, Va, Us) on 03/15/2012
★★★★★
Bleach works! Long story short, I suffered with this condition for nearly a year thinking that I simply had a really bad case of dry winter skin that started on my finger tips and toes. To my horror skin moisturizers exacerbated this to the point where the soles of both of my feet, my legs, hands and unmentionables were covered by this "plague" (athletes foot, ringworm, jock itch are all the same thing). Once diagnosed I tried most remedies mentioned here - some suggestions here helped to some degree but nothing cured it, it simply kept coming back stronger than ever.
This is the method I used. Start by filling a spray bottle with a 1/10* (bleach/water) ratio.
*IMPORTANT: If you have cracked/peeling/inflamed skin you may need to start with a lower bleach to water ratio and work your way up otherwise you can chemically burn your skin! Once my skin fissures healed up I was able to use a higher ratio all the way to full strength. But this was me, everyones different - use common sense please.
Once a day (twice is even better) while in the shower and after having thoroughly saturated yourself with water (I felt that saturating my skin with water kept any absorption of the harsh chemicals marginalized). Once soaked, just spray the infected areas and gently rub it in, let it sit just a minute or so and then rinse VERY well with warm water. If you have peeling flaking skin, use a round (egg shaped) pumice stone and gently rub the dead skin off being careful not to hurt any live skin. Dry THOROUGHLY and then apply some virgin coconut oil to moisturize.
Note, I felt that the pumice stone was crucial, especially if you have thick calloused skin like I did. My hands were especially stubborn to clear up, the fungi sends tendrils or roots into the deeper layers of skin, these in turn usually allow the fungi to make a comeback if you let your guard down even for a day. Keep this up until your skin returns to its normal soft and supple state. If your skin toughenshardensthickensreddens whatsoever its not gone and you will need to spray and rub some more- persistence pays!
Salt Water
Posted by Jay (Altona, Fl) on 11/05/2008
★★★★★
Salt water cured Athletes Foot and Foot Odor
I keep a spray bottle in the bathroom filled with a mixture of salt and water. After showering I spray my feet with the saltwater and leave it on all day. By that I mean that I do not wash it off at all. This cured a case of athletes foot that was resistant to all OTC drugs I tried. I also spray the saltwater into my tennis shoes and that kills the fungus that is in the shoe.The saltwater also eliminates foot odor. I use about 1/2 (one half) cup of salt in the bottle.
Listerine
Posted by Megan (Jacksonville, FL) on 10/24/2008
★★★★★
I tried soaking my feet in Listerine after seeing a posting about toe nail fungus. It not only works on toe nails, but will get rid of athlete's foot issues very quickly. And this is much easier than pressing onion, etc. I love this site! I found it looking for Ted's Mange Cure, which is fabulous. Thanks!
