Athlete's Foot

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Chilblains Vs Athlete's Foot Diagnosis

Clayton (Tulsa, OK) on 02/01/2024
5 out of 5 stars

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.

REPLY   2      

Patchouli Oil for Foot Fungal Infections

TR (California) on 01/30/2024
5 out of 5 stars

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

REPLY   2      

Activated Charcoal for Athlete's Food

Tonadeg (Arlington, USA ) on 04/27/2023
5 out of 5 stars

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.
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Multiple Remedies for Foot Fungus

Dena L. (New Orleans, Louisiana ) on 06/04/2022
4 out of 5 stars

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.
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Garlic Rubbed into Foot for Athlete's Foot

Idot 13 (Ireland) on 02/12/2022
5 out of 5 stars

For athlete's foot, a cure is raw garlic. gently slice and rub it into the feet and it should go very guickly.
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Probiotics - Lactobacillus Rhamnosus for Athlete's Foot & Fungal Conditions

Jim P. (Petaluma, CA) on 01/31/2022
5 out of 5 stars

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.

REPLY   9      

Compost Tea for Athlete's Foot!

I Need Help_SC (USA - South Carolina) on 12/20/2021
5 out of 5 stars

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.

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Oil of Oregano for Athlete's Foot Rash

Anthony (Ireland) on 09/17/2021
5 out of 5 stars

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.

REPLY   3      

Tea Tree Oil for Athlete's Foot

Jade (Indiana) on 05/12/2021
5 out of 5 stars

The essential oil "Tea Tree" also cures athlete's foot.
REPLY   3      

Distilled Vinegar, Coconut Oil and Vaseline Cured Severe Foot Fungal Infection

Geraldine (Abuja, Nigeria) on 04/11/2021
5 out of 5 stars

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.

REPLY   21      

Old Hippie Chick (Florida) on 04/29/2020
5 out of 5 stars

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.
REPLY   1      

C.T. (Madison, WI) on 08/21/2019
5 out of 5 stars

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.

REPLY   5      

Apple Cider Vinegar for Athlete's Foot

Steve L. (St. Louis, Mo.) on 09/08/2018
5 out of 5 stars

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.

REPLY   5      

Light for Athlete's Foot

Anonymous (Toronto, Ontario) on 12/29/2017
5 out of 5 stars

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.

REPLY   4      

Re: Treating Athlete's Foot

Joe (Nairobi) on 12/19/2017
5 out of 5 stars

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.

REPLY   1      

Apple Cider Vinegar Not Helping Athlete's Foot

Micheala (West Yorkshire) on 08/29/2017
1 out of 5 stars

Been using Apple Cider Vinegar for 2 weeks for Athlete's Foot. Nothing working. Having it on my hands and feet is getting too much for me. I feel like I want to claw them both off. Had every otc plus doctors strong steroid creams. Please someone give me an end to this. Had it for 2 years and I can't cope much more.
REPLY         

My Athlete's Foot Was Eczema!

Connie (California) on 07/05/2017
5 out of 5 stars

My athlete's foot was eczema!

I suffered for 2 years with chronic "athlete's foot" using Rx antifungals prescribed by my doc when all natural remedies failed. Last 2 months were so painful, just standing or walking made my feet crack and bleed. I was confined to recliner, walking on toes only to use bathroom and get food from kitchen. I cried in pain and frustration, thinking this was my world now - a recliner.

Finally got referral to a PA in dermatology. She took SKIN SCRAPING to lab. Test results 10 days later: NO FUNGUS! I have dyshidrotic ezcema!

The cure? Aloe Vera juice applied to feet, followed by Eucerin cream. Basically, giving feet TLC by moisturizing with hyperallergenic creams. Vasoline would probably work, too. Two weeks later, I returned to DANCING! Sort of, lol, but I am ambulatory again! Another week or so and I should be completely healed!

People with chronic skin conditions, INSIST on lab testing a skin scraping to rule out fungus! Two stinking years of my life spent on every remedy and treatment for nothing. Grrr.

I hope this helps somebody!

REPLY   5      

Fresh Lime Juice for Athlete's Foot

Serena G. (Tucson, Az) on 05/09/2017
5 out of 5 stars

We had a case of athlete's foot. From my personal experience tea tree was only keeping it from getting worse and coconut oil did not stop it getting worse (spread from one or two toes to all of them, peeling skin but not painful). However I saw on this site about apple cider vinegar. Since we just bought a huge box of limes and couldn't eat them all up I thought I'd try it. I rubbed a 1/2 fresh sliced lime on the toes, top and bottom, squeezing the juice all over it (yummy smelling toes! ) and air drying. After about a week it was completely cleared up. This proved to be a very effective cure for us this time. I will remember it. I imagine lemon would work the same. Thanks for your great site!
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Colloidal Silver for Athlete's Foot Fungi

Gayle (North Dakota) on 04/04/2017
5 out of 5 stars

Colloidal Silver. If you make your own colloidal silver it is very effective for getting rid of foot fungi. I make 50 to 60 ppm. Put it in a shallow glass pan and soak my feet for 15 to 20 min. I save the silver solution and use it a second time then discard. You will need to make many quarts to get the fungi under control. If you do not make your own silver then this would be very cost prohibitive. Look into purchasing your own silver generator. I cured my nasty problem in about a week doing this. You can also spray the silver on your clean dry socks and allow to dry before putting them away, you have just made silver socks. You can spray the silver on your your tub and other areas where the fungi may thrive. Spray your shoes and allow to dry to kill off the fungi and other nasty bacteria. Ingest the 5 to 10ppm colloidal silver to combat it internally as well.
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Fresh Aloe Vera for Athlete's Foot

Laurac (Us) on 03/21/2017
5 out of 5 stars

Fresh aloe vera for athletes foot.

I scratched my feet so horrible. I wounded them so bad. I wounded the palm of my feet so I could not walk. My feet were so raw exposed and burning. I bought a fresh aloe vera from my grocery store and cut the leaf then smeared it on my wounds. Instant stop to the burn and pain, and the goo forms a protective healing layer. Aloe vera has many properties. It's under rated for athletes foot. Unlike ACV and cayenne it heals without burning like hell! Thanks God for your marvelous plants.

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