Natural Remedies For Athlete’s Foot

There are natural remedies that you can use for a case of itchy athlete’s foot. Places that you are most likely to catch this fungal infection are public areas such as a swimming pool, sauna or in a fitness center. Athlete’s foot is easy to identify. It is a fungal infection that thrives in humid environments. Trapped warm moisture make a perfect breeding ground for this fungus.

Symptoms of athlete’s foot include itching, stinging or burning sensation on the soles of the feet as well as in between the toes, a favorite warm nook of the body. In addition, there may be severe dryness along the soles and sides of the feet. Cracks, blisters and peeling skin appear on the soles of the feet or again, in between the toes. In severe cases, the athlete’s foot can spread to under the toenails. It can be painful as your toenails separate from the nail bed or even become brittle and crumbling.

If you have mild athlete’s foot, you may want to consider using natural remedies as treatment. However, should it turn worse, then see a doctor immediately. Signs of athlete’s foot turning worse occurs when you start to notice swelling or pus in the blisters or cracks of the feet.

An excellent remedy to use is the tea tree oil. It is a natural antiseptic, with both antibacterial and antifungal properties. Tea tree oil provides great refief from burning and itching and used been used as a folk medicine many years ago. The stronger the percentage of tea tree oil solution you use, the more powerful it can be at eradicating infection. But you should be aware that skin irritation may develop should it be too strong for you.

Consider also natural remedies for athlete’s foot such as the goldenseal, neem oil and lavender oil. With the goldenseal, mix it with thyme to make a foot bath for soaking your feet. Or you can also choose to mix neem oil with a carrier oil such as almond oil or even olive oil. Then, spread the mixture over the affected part of your feet. A vinegar foot bath can also be used to aid with the itching and burning that athlete’s foot causes as well as kill off some of the fungal growth.

Prevention in getting athlete’s foot is not difficult. Firstly, wear slippers to cover your bare feet, when you are in public areas such as the fitness center locker room or around the public swimming pool. Refrain from wearing tight shoes as they can trap moisture, and provide a warm humid place for foot fungus to thrive.

Open toed shoes or footwear is best. If you need to wear socks, choose cotton ones as they are breathable. It is also important to change your socks daily or more often if your feet are prone to sweating. In fact, prevent your socks from becoming a fungus colony by washing them in hot water. During hot and humid weather, use a foot powder for your sweaty feet.