Apple Cider Vinegar for Athlete's Foot

5 star (45) 
  82%
4 star (5) 
  9%
1 star (4) 
  7%
(1) 
  2%

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.

Stephen (Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan) on 08/18/2010:
5 out of 5 stars

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.

REPLY   3      

Chris (Atlanta, Ga) on 07/19/2010:
5 out of 5 stars

I tried soaking my feet in apple cider vinegar straight out of the bottle, straight off the shelf of the grocery store (Heinz), and after battling athletes foot for over 20 years, I am free of this pest finally. Soaking lasted for about 30 minutes a day for a week. After the first day, I noticed an improvement as did my wife. Each day showed a bit of a difference, and I decided after a week to stop. By the middle of the next week, my feet showed NO SIGNS whatsoever of mocassin athletes foot. No peeling, no redness, no cracked skin, no pustules, nothing. That was four months ago and I have since maintained the same active lifestyle (running, tennis, hiking) and have not had one flare-up. In fact, my only concern is that my feet are often very dry. Works out nice, actually, as the wife lotions them up and nothing beats a foot massage with lotion =)

If you have your doubts, try it. I didn't use organic or some other over-priced product. Give it a shot. A $5 bottle of vinegar and a week's worth of your time is worth it for almost anything, much less a chance to get rid of AF.

REPLY   5      

Mn (West Midlands, England) on 05/27/2010:
4 out of 5 stars

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.

REPLY   1      



Marian (Tasmania, Australia) on 10/28/2009:
5 out of 5 stars

Hi all, I read on your site (I think) that bathing feet in cider vinegar for a minimum of 6 weeks would cure athletes foot. I have had this condition since a teenager, I'm now 58. Usually didn't notice it too much in winter when I was wearing shoes but each summer my heels would crack and give me grief. So I was constantly putting healing cream on with band-aids and this went on all summer. This year it started in the winter, and I noticed that my feet were peeling also. So I quite religiously rubbed organic cider vinegar on my feet each night, and dried them off in front of the fire, an evening ritual before bed. My feet are now completely clear of peeling and splitting and feel so good. I have yet to go through the summer so am hopeful that it continues, if not I will just keep on with the bathing each night. Also started oil pulling about the same time, seseme, sunflower and coconut, it really cleared my sinus problems and I am continuing every second day. Thanks for your great site, I love the empowering vibe, its so hopeful and comforting to see us reclaiming our health from the "sickness industry".
love marian
REPLY   4      

Cheryl (Gainesville, Florida) on 07/27/2009:
5 out of 5 stars

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!

REPLY   3      

TimeSpirit (North Jersey, NJ) on 07/22/2009:
5 out of 5 stars

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.
REPLY   1      

Yvonne (Apex, NC) on 07/19/2009:
5 out of 5 stars

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.
REPLY   3      

Janice (Wilmington, NC) on 06/21/2009:
5 out of 5 stars

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.
REPLY   3      



Beverley (Leeds, Yorkshire) on 04/26/2009:
5 out of 5 stars

Thanks for the reply, Shaun, but I won't be needing to try the ammonia after all - because I have changed my mind about apple cider vinegar - it really does work and I'm so happy! I'm guessing, but I the reason it didn't cure the moccasin athlete's foot I suffer with sooner, is because I wasn't soaking my feet in a strong enough solution. In the past, I had mixed a foot soak of about half ACV and half water, and although it dried my skin out, it didn't have much effect on the fungus. Recently, I thought I'd have one last try and I started soaking my feet once a day in neat apple cider viniger - no water at all. It stung a lot, probably because the athlete's foot had really damaged my skin in places, but I stuck with it, and wow - the skin has started to repair itself and the athlete's foot has nearly disappeared. I am amazed! And so so so pleased! I've stuggled for years with this and I can't believe I'll be able to wear sandals this summer without feeling embarrassed about my feet.

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EC: Hi, Beverley. Thanks for the update! We're removing the NAY rating from your first post and adding YEA here.
REPLY   8      

Char (Los Alamitos, CA, USA) on 03/12/2009:
5 out of 5 stars

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!!!!!!!
REPLY   3      

Bethany (Westminster, CA) on 02/20/2009:
5 out of 5 stars

My husband had a severe case of athletes foot, and his skin would crack from how think and hard it was. We tried every cream, spray and powder out there, it helped with the smell but that was it. My sister told me about raw organic unfiltered apple cider vinegar and that it would kill the fungus. I figured we would give it a shot, and after the first night there was an improvement, and when he came home from work the smell was gone! So we kept on it soaking his feet in it for 15 mins a night after he got home from work and took a shower. after 2 weeks of this no more athletes foot, he now has soft normal skin on the bottom of his feet and they dont stink!!! give it a shot it is an amazing cure for athletes foot!!
REPLY   2      

Lesley (Hervey Bay, Australia) on 01/21/2009:
5 out of 5 stars

I have used ACV to successfully treat Athlete's Foot. Just soak cotton balls in the vinegar and apply often to the affected toes. Do this twice a day for 2 to 3 days and the problem will vanish. Try to keep your toes dry as reinfection is common with this ailment. I have also used ACV for itchiness in my ears. Just pour it in as best as you can and massage to let the vinegar get right down into the ear. This fully healed my ear itchiness that I had suffered for years.
REPLY   3      

Keith Warren (Totnes, England) on 01/06/2009:
5 out of 5 stars

I have suffered from the above off and on for many years and get really bad attacks of athletes foot. I have tried many remedies, non of which have proved very satisfactory until I tried Cider Vinegar and Vapour Rub. What can I say? Within a week its like having a new pair of feet, I simply cannot thank the people who posted these remedies enough, they have been the proverbial life saver as I am in the building trade and have to wear safety boots and my feet were so very painful. Thank you one and all for your suggestions.
REPLY   3      



Kira (Saratoga, NY) on 12/23/2008:
5 out of 5 stars

I don't even need to soak my feet in Apple Cider vinegar (ACV), just wet a cotton ball with ACV and run over feet.

Be careful, it can really burn raw spots!

After the ACV dries, it feels so good to massage a little coconut oil on my feet (anti-fungal and moisturizing).

I find my biggest problem is I wear socks all the time and when they get moist, the intense itching begins.

My b/f did find when he wears cheap socks (like I do) his athlete's foot is worse.

REPLY   2      

Katrina (NYC) on 12/21/2008:
5 out of 5 stars

Athletes Foot: I rented ice skates for 1-hr and next morning got an AF. I read all the solutions here and doing following:

ACV -- i soak my foot for 15 min
ACV+ wet clay -- I put it as a mask on my foot overnight-- improvements right away!!!
Oil of Oregano -- overnight-- great improvements!!!

REPLY   4      

Larry (Dumaguete, Philippines) on 10/08/2008:
1 out of 5 stars

I had chronic athletes foot for years, i could never get rid of it. Over the counter creams such as lamisil controlled the problem but did not get rid of it. I then tried not using the creams and only apple cider vinegar instead. The result was disaster, rampant athletes foot, so this is a definite NAY, but amazingly I did find something that finally worked after many years! And it involves Cayenne pepper and salt, see my additional comment below under Cayenne.
REPLY   2      

Teresa (Minnesota, USA) on 05/01/2008:
5 out of 5 stars

Yes, ACV does cure dundruff but do you know it can cure athlete foot too... Just put acv on your affected foot 2x a day, do not rinse- let it dry.. yes it will sting but it will cure the athlete foot.you will see improvement on the first try by 2nd to 3rd day it will all be gone.
REPLY   2      

Vicky (Victoria, BC, Canada) on 01/18/2008:
5 out of 5 stars

I had read about all of the ailments that could be treated by Apple Cider Vinegar and decided to try it for a bad case of Athlete's Foot. I used it for about 6 weeks and the problem cleared up completely. A couple of months later, I chipped a piece of a filling from my tooth. Within a couple of days, the tooth started to ache. I remembered how the Apple Cider Vinegar had killed the bacteria from my feet so I decided to start taking it internally to kill bacteria from the inside out. It immediately started to reduce the pain in my tooth. Within 3 weeks, my toothache was completed gone. I still haven't gone to a dentist to get it fixed. I just keep taking my ACV!
REPLY         



Mike (Houston, TX) on 11/05/2007:
5 out of 5 stars

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) really works! I was skeptical at first because I have tried just about everything for a stubborn case of athlete's foot that I've had recurring for about the last 4 years. The antifungal creams and lotions I bought from the drugstore were a huge waste of time and money. If I had only known about ACV sooner. After reading some of the testimonials on here I went to my local health food store and purchased a bottle of unfiltered, organic, apple cider vinegar. I wet a q-tip with the full-strength ACV and dabbed it on the affected areas on my foot, I reapeated this for a minute or so, as to saturate the skin. Then I let it air dry. I reapeated this once a day for 3 days. The ACV kind of stings and burns a bit, but I guess that lets you know it's working. It's been about 10 days now and the stubborn athlete's foot fungus is gone! The skin where I had the worst of the fungus is still healing, but each day that passes, the skin looks clearer and smoother. ACV has made a believer out of me. I'm so glad I found this site. By the way I am also a believer in organic, unrefined, virgin coconut oil. It is a great anti-fungal remedy. It just couldn't do the trick with the stubborn athlete's foot I had. I still apply some coconut oil as a preventative measure and it keeps the skin soft and supple also. THANK YOU!
REPLY   1      

Otto (Lakeland, FL) on 09/27/2007:
5 out of 5 stars

I'm sitting here reading about your ACV cure for my sinus pressure and possible infection which I'm about to try but I thought I'd add another AMAZING use for ACV. While in the Army I used to get all kinds of funky foot problems from wet boots and smelly group showers. Once, I got a athletes foot fungus that was so bad not a single OTC remedy would work and I spent $$$ on those "cures"! Out of desperation I read about ACV and thought "Why not" I placed it on a cotton ball, rubbed it all over the fungus (which burned really bad) and just let it sit there for about 15 minutes. Within 2 days the fungus started peeling off and new skin was taking it's place. Can you say MIRACLE? And a bottle of ACV is a bunch cheaper than a $7.00 tube of Lotramin
REPLY   1      

Linda (MANHATTAN, KS) on 08/30/2007:
1 out of 5 stars

I tried on a pair of shoes that my sister gave. While wearing them I noticed my left foot was starting itch. After I soaked my feet in sea salt, h2o2 and ACV and diluted with water and when I poured out that mixture and soaked them in plain I noticed that I had a rash on both feet. The right foot it is more blotchy and smaller in size. The rash covers most of the left foot. I put coritizone cream on both feet. Should I try that sea salt, h2o2 again? I never had a rash on both feet before.
REPLY         

Bob (Leawood, Kansas) on 05/08/2007:
5 out of 5 stars

I have had a case of athletes foot for several years. Nothing over the counter has worked. I tried the asv wash and its incredible. It cleared up practically over night it seems. I also used tea tree oil after drying my feet off. I would put it on each affected area and each toe nail. I would let it dry completely before putting on sox and shoes. A suggestion is to also wear sandals as much as possible and change sox and shoes often. This really does work.
REPLY         

Ben (Scottsdale, AZ) on 08/14/2006:
5 out of 5 stars

I have to agree about ACV for athlete's foot. It does work! For best results, however, you should not only apply it topically, but also drink it. A lot of people don't know that athlete's foot is systemic, the fungi circulate around the body. The ACV vinegar works by not only killing the fungus directly, but also by optimizing internal ph to a more alkaline state, this prevents the fungus from thriving. One note: health store type ACV is preferable for ingestion, heinz type tends to be too acidic, it can be used topically, however. I normally use _______s for drinking.
REPLY         



Jeff (Houston) on 03/14/2006:
5 out of 5 stars

Forget all the creams at Walgreens, CVS--or any other drug store. Put ACV on a cotton swab rub it around the effected area until is burns. Later place a soaked swab on it without rubbing it at night. Do this for a couple more days--you'll knock the ringworm out of the ring.
REPLY         

Jeff (Mnassas, VA) on 03/01/2004:
5 out of 5 stars

Soak each foot in at least a 50/50 water/acv solution for 2 to 3 days, for 30 minutes each and you will rid your feet of any fungus/ athlete's foot and soften and exfoliate your skin to boot.
REPLY   2      
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