Curing Athlete's Foot

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Help Curing Athlete's Foot

I am looking for a cheap way to eliminate athlete's foot and keep my feet dry. I work in a moist work place and need some sort of drying agent for my feet. If anyone has some inexpensive home remedies please let me know.
Ben P.

Curing Athlete's Foot
Tea Tree Oil

One of the best remedies for athlete's foot is tea tree oil. It gets rid of and helps prevent athlete's foot. Just put a bit on your finger and put on the affected parts of the foot. I was living in South East Asia for a few months in the wet season and every time I got my feet wet when it rained, I had a huge problem with tinea (athlete's foot). A bit of tea tree oil fixed it every time. Some people find it stings. If it does, just dilute it with any other oil e.g. vegetable oil.
Winnie in Australia

Vinegar for Athlete's Foot

I have found that applying vinegar (white distilled vinegar 5% acetic acid from the grocery store) to the affected areas of your feet will help keep athlete's foot at bay. Just saturate a cotton ball and rub down your feet. You have to keep up with it for a few weeks even after symptoms disappear because fungus will come back quickly. Do this morning and at night.

Another alternative for athlete's foot is to soak your feet in 1/2 cup vinegar, 2 T of salt, and enough warm water to cover your feet. Both of these methods are dirt cheap and as effective if not more so than the expensive creams and powders at the store/pharmacy.
Susie M.

Corn Starch Cure

I found that the best way to get rid of any type of moisture is with good old fashioned "corn starch." The corn starch seems to absorb moisture from any type of wetness, including sweat. It really does work, just apply with a brush or pour into your shoes like powder.
CD

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Alcohol and Aspirin Athlete's Foot Cure

If you dissolve about 5 aspirin in 1/2 cup of rubbing alcohol and rub over your feet after showering/bathing , the aspirin will soak into the skin due to the alcohol mixture. This will kill fungus that causes odor and dry up athlete's foot problem. You will see the difference, and notice there is no foot odor right away. Do this before putting on your shoes in the morning and after taking them off each evening.
CS

HS Athlete's Foot Cure

When I was in high-school (35 years ago!) I read an article about a young lady who did a research project for a science fair on treatment for athlete's foot. She determined that the most effective, and inexpensive, treatment was to regularly apply regular underarm antiperspirant to the feet, especially between the toes. Prior to reading that I had struggled with athlete's foot that I picked up regularly in the school locker room. After I started putting my regular stick antiperspirant/deodorant on my toes, and rubbing it in between my toes, I have not had an athlete's foot problem in 35 years.
Hank T.

1950's Athlete's Foot Solution

First, some people are a lot more susceptible to fungal infections than others, and it's not related to bad hygiene. I get athlete's foot every time I travel from stepping into hotel showers I think. Here's a cure for athlete's foot that was commonly used back in the 1950s. It's effective and inexpensive.

Each evening for several nights, soak your feet for 10-15 minutes in a very warm foot bath to which you have added about 1/4 cup of Clorox or a similar chlorine laundry bleach). The warm should be as warm as you can tolerate. If your skin is sensitive to the chemicals in the bleach, rinse your feet off afterwards and then towel off. If you don't have any unusual skin sensitivity, you should simply towel off without the rinse, (be sure to use a white towel so the bleach doesn't spot it) which does make the remedy more effective. Your feet will smell a little of bleach, similar to when you towel off after a swim in pool water treated with chlorine bleach. If you use this remedy at the first signs of infection, it will very quickly eliminate the problem.
Rhea McG.

Tested Athlete's Foot Cures

My son has had athlete's foot since he was 5-years-old. He is now 25. There is no cure but the following have worked for us for control.

1. Dry completely between your toes after showering.
   
   
2. Spray between your toes and the bottom of your feet with a good anti-fungal spray (Lotrimin - found in most drug stores, including Wal- Mart, seems to be most effective at control.) Lotrimin also comes in a cream version that works better but the proper strength may require a Doctor's prescription.
   
   
3. A prescription oral antibiotic may be necessary to get it under control especially if your immune system is otherwise weak or compromised.
   
   
4. Spray your shower and bathroom floor with a good anti fungal disinfectant after each shower. (Lysol is a good choice.)
   
   
5. Wear 100% white cotton socks. They wick moisture away from your feet. Athlete's Foot and any fungus needs moisture to thrive. Nylon- blend socks allow the moisture to remain on your feet. Also colored socks absorb less than white - something to do with the dye.
   
   
6. Try to wear only natural fiber shoes, such as leather, etc. Avoid vinyl like the plague; it doesn't breathe and traps moisture in the shoe; it also causes your feet to sweat especially between the toes and thus causes the athlete's foot to thrive. Canvas shoes also cause sweating and are not a good choice for athlete's foot sufferers.
   
   
7. Spray inside your shoes with an anti fungal spray. Dust inside with an anti fungal powder. (Mexana Heat Powder is a good choice - can also be found at Wal-Mart).
   
   
8. Avoid going barefoot in public places such as rest rooms, public swimming pools, or public showers. These are prime breeding grounds for fungi.
   
   
9. Be careful to avoid getting an infection if the skin cracks and bleeds, especially if you are diabetic. If infection occurs, see your family doctor immediately.

Robyn H.

Simple Athlete's Foot Cure

The cheapest and most effective way to prevent athlete's foot is Bicarbonate of soda, sprinkle a little between your toes before you put your socks and shoes on. Also make sure your socks are 100% cotton to help the skin breath.
Samantha in Manchester U.K.

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